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“Since the days of Shakyamuni, Buddhists had based themselves on the equality of all parties taking part in discussion.
“These Buddhists always based themselves on reason, and even if their mistakes were exposed, they would never explode in anger. Rather, on such occasions, they would joyfully abide by reason.
“Authoritarians, however, hate to have their assertions subjected to public scrutiny, and so refuse to discuss things on even footing with others. When someone does not follow their pronouncements, they unilaterally punish the person.
“Herein lies the standard for clearly determining who is a Bud­dhist and who is an authoritarian” —SGI President Ikeda (June 17, 1991 World Tribune, p. 4).
The priesthood refused to dialogue in 1990 and 1991. Their position remains unchanged: “Never in a million years will Nichiren Shoshu and the Soka Gakkai have a discussion” (Dai-Nichiren, November, 1994) (July 2008 Nichiren Shoshu Monthly).
 

Nikken Fires Top Lawyer

November 07, 1997

By Jeff Farr
Associate Editor

Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 29

The Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office on Oct. 6 fired Yoshihiro Konagai, Nikken's lead attorney in the temple's libel suit against the Soka Gakkai in Japan, according to the Kaikaku Jiho (Reformation Times), a newspaper published by reformist priests. Temple members on the Internet have admitted Konagai left but not that he was fired, saying it's only natural in such a lengthy case that a lawyer might have to leave.

Mr. Konagai has been the lead attorney in the case since it was initiated in 1993, and his dismissal comes at a crucial moment in the trial, a few weeks before Nikken's Dec. 22 court-ordered testimony. (He will be cross-examined Feb. 2, 1998.) The Tokyo District Court ordered Nikken to appear so he can answer questions regarding contradictory statements he has made about his actions in Seattle the night of March 19–20, 1963.

According to the reformist priests' newspaper, Nichijun Fujimoto, general administrator of the Administrative Office, and Kotoku Obayashi, Overseas Bureau chief, informed Mr. Konagai of Nikken's decision.

Although the priesthood gave no explanation for the decision, SGI leaders have pointed out that the parting with Konagai came just a week after the court on Sept. 29 ordered Nikken to testify — a decision Konagai had tried to avoid through various legal maneuvers this year.

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