Willful Defamation

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: SOKA GAKKAI WINS LIBEL SUIT AGAINST JOURNALIST

On Sept. 18, the Tokyo District Court ruled that Masao Okkotsu (also referred as Otsukotsu), a freelance journalist and ardent Soka Gakkai critic, was guilty of willful defamation of the Soka Gakkai.

In November 2001, the Soka Gakkai filed suit against Okkotsu for libel over comments he made in a speech at a 41-temple Buddhist association in Shimotsucho Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on Aug. 30, 1999. The defendant claimed that the Soka Gakkai had set up two front companies in order to profiteer from real estate set aside to construct a cemetery. He further alleged that the money raised from the scheme was to be used to pay off local officials, politicians and organized crime groups. During the trial, despite the judge's repeated requests, the defendant refused to submit evidence corroborating his allegations. He instead claimed the Soka Gakkai was abusing the right to file suit. The district court found the defendant incapable of corroborating his claims, awarding the plaintiff for punitive damages.

In a Tokyo High Court trial in June, the appellate judge ordered the journalist to pay compensation for having made an identical allegation against the Soka Gakkai in an article published by weekly tabloid Shukan Shincho, which was also fined.

2) DEDICATE YOUR LIFE TO YOUR MISSION

This is an excerpt from a speech SGI President Ikeda gave at the 8th Friendship and Culture Festival for the staff of the Soka Gakkai Headquarters and affiliated organizations and their families, held in the main gymnasium of Soka University, Tokyo, Oct. 1, 1989, two years before Nichiren Shoshu excommunicated all members of the Soka Gakkai and the SGI. It originally appeared in the February 1990 issue of the Seikyo Times.

BONDS FORMED BETWEEN PEOPLE THROUGH THE LAW ARE STRONG

In October 1272, Nichiren Daishonin, who was in exile on Sado Island, received news from Shijo Kingo and his wife that they had had a baby girl (Kyo'o Gozen). Delighted at this happy news, the Daishonin wrote in a letter to them: [This child] is a child of filial piety born to succeed you in this world. In a future lifetime, she will no doubt lead you to attain Buddhahood (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1123).

There are many children with us at this meeting today. I would particularly like all the parents to take note of this passage. Strong are the bonds formed between people through the True Law. How much more this is true in the case of parents and their children! Not only do children inherit their parents' faith, but in a future existence they will protect their parents and lead them to attain Buddhahood. When looked at from the perspective of the three existences of life -- past, present and future -- this wonderful karmic connection leads to the eternal happiness of both parent and child.

How important it is then that parents and children gather here like this -- to chant together and create beautiful memories of faith! I am sure that the Daishonin, who bore great affection for Shijo Kingo and his family, would be delighted by today's meeting.

In the closing words of this same letter to Shijo Kingo and his wife, the Daishonin writes: No matter how much they may chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, those who hold grudges against Nichiren will first fall into the hell of incessant suffering. Then, after interminably long aeons of time, they will become my disciples and be able to attain Buddhahood.

These words are very strict. They indicate that even if one chants daimoku and practices faith, if one slanders the Gohonzon or goes counter to the spirit of the Daishonin, he will fall into the hell of incessant suffering, where he will be forced to remain in agony for an interminably long period.

Although on a different level, the Soka Gakkai is an organization which is promoting kosen-rufu in exact accordance with the Daishonin's spirit. Therefore, no matter how hard one has striven in his practice, if he harms the Law, is hostile to his mentor, or slanders the Soka Gakkai, the harmonious group of believers, the hell of incessant suffering will inevitably lie in store for him. This is the strict law of cause and effect.

Three in a series.