Asaki Counter Suit Dismissed

The Justice Chronicle, provided by Soka Gakkai International-USA, is a free monthly e-mail in support of the Soka Spirit movement. Soka Spirit is the SGI's educational effort to create value and deepen our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through increased awareness of issues surrounding the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and the spiritual foundation of the SGI movement.

1) NEWS: SUPREME COURT DISMISSES ASAKI COUNTER-SUIT

On Nov. 8, the Supreme Court of Japan dismissed an appeal filed by Motoki Asaki, his daughter, Naoko, and Hozumi Yano. The three had sought to overturn successive lower court decisions rejecting the co-plaintiffs' charge that the Soka Gakkai had defamed them in an article in the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai's daily newspaper.

The Seikyo Shimbun article was published in response to two tabloid weekly stories featuring the Asakis, who asserted the Soka Gakkai was criminally involved in the death of Akiyo Asaki, a Higashi-Murayama City assemblywoman that committed suicide in 1995, according to police and prosecutor office investigations.

The Supreme Court has already upheld the Soka Gakkai position that the tabloid articles and the allegations leveled by the Asakis and Mr. Yano were libelous and willfully defamatory. (For further details, see Justice Chronicle 158).

2) FROM MY DEAR FRIENDS IN AMERICA

This series contains excerpts of speeches SGI President Ikeda made in the United Statesÿ which relate to Soka Spirit and are contained in the book My Dear Friends in America.

This excerpted speech was given on March 11, 1993, in Miami, Fla.

WARMLY EMBRACE THE CHILDREN OF THE BUDDHA

Nichiren Daishonin strongly desired that his followers play an active part in society, while treasuring others with open, magnanimous hearts. In a letter to Shijo Kingo, he writes: I am most grieved over your lord's illness. Although he has not professed faith in the Lotus Sutra, you are a member of his clan, and it is thanks to his consideration that you are able to make offerings to the sutra. Thus, these may become prayers solely for your lord's recovery (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 848).

Though this passage refers to Shijo Kingo's lord, it should by no means be taken to imply that Buddhism encourages feudalistic mores and values. Worthy of greatest respect is our humanism with which we pray ceaselessly for the health and happiness of all with whom we have a connection, whether or not they practice Buddhism. Our practice of faith enables us to illuminate everything in our environment with the sunlight of unlimited fortune and benefit.

While in Rio de Janeiro, I met a pioneer women's division member who had contributed greatly to the development of kosen-rufu in that country. She was accompanied by her husband, who was not a member. I said to him: I hope you will make your business even more successful and that you will cherish your wife even more dearly. This in itself represents faith. I made this remark based on the aforementioned passage from the Daishonin's writings.

There is absolutely no need to feel constrained or ill at ease because some members of your family are not practicing. I hope you will lead your families wisely and cheerfully toward harmony and happiness.

As good sons and daughters, we should take care of our parents whether or not they practice faith. It is the same in our relationships with our partners. We practice faith so that we may become exemplary children, partners and parents.

In stark contrast to this spirit of generosity is the elitist mentality that rejects those who are not practicing, and its reverse side -- the self-righteous logic that asserts, I'm practicing, so anything I do is perfectly fine. High Priest Nikken Abe is the ultimate example of this.

How immense was the compassion with which the Daishonin embraced his followers! He always showed the utmost consideration for and understanding of each individual's circumstances and position in society.

In a letter he wrote to one of his lay followers, Misawa Kojiro, the lord of a domain who was persevering in faith under difficult circumstances, the Daishonin writes: Even if you should abandon your faith in the Lotus Sutra, how could I regard as strangers people who, if only for a day or even for a moment, have helped me survive?... You have less knowledge of Buddhism than I, and moreover, you are lay believers with lands, wives and children, and retainers. Therefore, it may be extremely difficult for you to sustain your faith throughout life. This is why I have always told you that, because of your position, it would be better to feign ignorance of this teaching. No matter what may happen in the future, be assured that I will never forsake or neglect you (WND, 895Â96).

Nichiren Buddhism is a stranger to fanatical dogmatism. Human beings do not exist for the sake of religion. Religion must always serve the needs of human beings.

In this passage, the Daishonin's intention is certainly not to sanction backsliding in faith or acts of betrayal by his followers. It is to compassionately embrace and reassure his followers, who struggle courageously with many difficulties, by saying: Even if by some chance you cannot persevere with your faith to the end, I will resolutely protect you because you have helped me, even if just for a moment. We must thoroughly engrave in our hearts the profound compassion revealed by the Daishonin in this passage.

By inflicting suffering and pain on the children of the Buddha, trampling on the sincerity of the SGI members who for many years have made unprecedented efforts to protect the priesthood, High Priest Nikken has utterly transgressed the Daishonin's spirit. He is an enemy of the original Buddha.

I hope all of you, as leaders of kosen-rufu, will warmly embrace, protect and encourage the members, who are the precious children of the Buddha.

Sixteen in a series.