History of Soka Gakkai & Three Presidents — Part 1
The History of Soka Gakkai and the Three Presidents — Part 1
Soka Gakkai carried forward the legacy of Nichiren Daishonin by striving to spread kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law .
This was made possible through the relentless efforts of its first three presidents.
In this series, we will learn about the lives, struggles and mentor-disciple relationships of the first three presidents of Soka Gakkai.
The first three presidents were:
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
Josei Toda
Daisaku Ikeda
We refer to these three founding presidents with the honorific title Sensei :
Makiguchi Sensei
Toda Sensei
Ikeda Sensei
In Japanese, “Sensei” means “teacher.”
Let us begin by learning about the first two presidents and the relationship that connected their lives.
The First Three Presidents
Before we begin, let us remember the names of the first three presidents:
1. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
The founding president of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, later known as Soka Gakkai.
2. Josei Toda
Makiguchi Sensei's disciple, who later became the second president of Soka Gakkai.
3. Daisaku Ikeda
The third president of Soka Gakkai, who carried forward the efforts toward kosen-rufu on a global scale.
This article focuses primarily on Makiguchi Sensei, Toda Sensei and the beginning of their mentor-disciple relationship .
Makiguchi Sensei
Early Life
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was born on June 6, 1871.
During his early teenage years, he moved to Hokkaido , where he came under the care of a relative.
Despite having to work, he continued to work hard at his studies and eventually entered Hokkaido Normal School .
After graduation, he became a schoolteacher .
In 1901, he moved to Tokyo and subsequently served as the principal of several elementary schools in Tokyo.
Makiguchi Sensei as an Educator and Philosopher
Makiguchi Sensei had a keen interest in philosophy and how philosophical principles could be applied in daily life .
In 1903, when he was just 32 years old, he published a book titled:
The Geography of Human Life
A central focus of his thinking was happiness .
He sought to understand how happiness could become a key driver of human life and how education could be connected to the creation of value.
Based on this principle of focusing on happiness and linking it to daily life, he developed a theory of value that could serve as a foundation for his unique approach to education.
Encountering Nichiren Buddhism
In 1928 , at the age of 57, Makiguchi Sensei encountered Nichiren Buddhism , which is based on the Lotus Sutra.
He joined Nichiren Buddhism through Nichiren Shoshu , a Buddhist school that derived its teachings from the lineage of Nikko Shonin , the Daishonin's direct disciple and successor.
As a philosopher and educator, Makiguchi Sensei immediately recognized the significance of the Lotus Sutra.
He expressed his realization in these words:
“Encountering the Lotus Sutra, I realized the teachings of the sutra in no way contradict the principles of philosophy and science that form the basis of our daily life.”
He also expressed the profound impact this encounter had on his life:
“With an indescribable joy, I completely changed the way I had lived for almost 60 years.”
This marked a major turning point in Makiguchi Sensei's life.
Josei Toda Sensei
Early Life
Josei Toda was born on February 11, 1900.
Can you calculate the age difference between Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei ?
The answer is 29 years.
When Toda Sensei was two years old, his family moved to the Hokkaido region .
After the age of 14, he began studying on his own while working.
He eventually obtained his teaching certification and began his career as a teacher in the Hokkaido town of Yubari .
The Mentor-Disciple Relationship Between Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei
One of the most important aspects of Soka Gakkai's history is the mentor-disciple relationship between Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda.
When young Josei Toda was 19 years old , he met Tsunesaburo Makiguchi in Tokyo.
Toda Sensei was seeking a mentor in his life.
In the 48-year-old Makiguchi Sensei, he found someone whom he could look up to and learn from.
The two readily took to each other.
Soon, young Josei Toda began to regard Makiguchi Sensei as his mentor and supported him in every possible way.
A Shared Passion for Value Creation
Both Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei were educators.
They would engage in lengthy discussions about education and value creation .
It was during these discussions that the concept of “Soka” emerged.
Soka means “creation of value.”
This concept would eventually become central to the organization they established together.
Toda Sensei Follows His Mentor
In 1928 , when Makiguchi Sensei took faith in Nichiren Buddhism and became a member of Nichiren Shoshu, Toda Sensei followed him.
He too took faith in Nichiren Buddhism and became a member of Nichiren Shoshu.
Their relationship therefore developed beyond their shared interests in education.
They became mentor and disciple , united by their faith and their commitment to creating value in people's lives.
Establishing Soka Kyoiku Gakkai
November 18, 1930
Makiguchi Sensei was an educator and philosopher who had been thinking deeply about how education could be used to create value and happiness.
He had already published The Geography of Human Life in 1903.
Building on his ideas about education and value creation, on November 18, 1930 , Makiguchi Sensei published his work:
Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei
This is translated as:
The System of Value-Creation Pedagogy
The original plan was to publish a total of 12 volumes , although eventually four volumes were published.
The First Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei Publication
The publication carried the following details:
Book Name:
Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei
Author:
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
Publisher & Printer:
Josei Toda
Publishing House:
Soka Kyoiku Gakkai
(Value-Creating Education Society)
This was the first time the name Soka Kyoiku Gakkai appeared publicly.
Soka Kyoiku Gakkai later became known as Soka Gakkai .
For this reason, November 18 is celebrated as Soka Gakkai's Founding Day .
The Journey of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai
The initial idea behind Soka Kyoiku Gakkai was to establish an association of educators who were interested in creating value through education .
However, because of the deep influence of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism on its members, non-educators also began joining the organization.
Over time, it developed into a group of people practicing Nichiren Buddhism .
Although members were also members of Nichiren Shoshu, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai functioned independently and did not rely on priests for its organizational management or for providing guidance concerning faith.
Unlike a typical religious organization that focused primarily on visiting temples and participating in ceremonies such as funerals and memorial services, Soka Kyoiku Gakkai emphasized:
Open discussion meetings
Leaders visiting members at their homes
Providing guidance
Encouraging members in their faith
The membership of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai eventually grew to approximately 3,000 members .
Makiguchi Sensei Stands Up to Authority
The next chapter of Makiguchi Sensei's life demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his beliefs.
During World War II , Japan's military government was under tremendous pressure to mobilize more citizens for the war.
To gain public support for its actions, the military government sought to control the thinking of citizens and promote uniformity of thought.
As part of this effort, the government mandated the acceptance of a Shinto talisman .
The government declared Shinto the state religion and pressured citizens to visit shrines, offer prayers and worship the Sun Goddess .
The activities of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, including its discussion meetings, came under government surveillance.
Nichiren Shoshu Succumbs to Government Pressure
In June 1943 , Nichiren Shoshu mandated Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, through Makiguchi Sensei, to also accept the Shinto talisman.
Makiguchi Sensei adamantly refused .
For him, accepting the talisman was equivalent to slandering the Law .
He refused to compromise his faith even in the face of tremendous pressure from the authorities.
Challenging Japan's Military Government
On July 6, 1943 , Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei were arrested for violating the dignity of the emperor and on charges related to the preservation of peace.
Another 21 leaders of Soka Kyoiku Gakkai were also arrested.
Eventually, only Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei persisted in their faith while the others left the faith and accepted the Shinto talisman.
Makiguchi Sensei refused to accept it.
Even at an advanced age, he endured interrogation and torture without abandoning his convictions.
He went even further.
He used the opportunity to teach Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism to his interrogators .
Makiguchi Sensei's Final Stand
Makiguchi Sensei remained imprisoned for more than 16 months .
Despite his advanced age and the severe conditions he faced, he did not succumb to the pressure of the authorities.
On November 18, 1944 , at the age of 73, Makiguchi Sensei passed away in prison.
He remained true to his convictions until the end.
He demonstrated through his own life what it means to stand up for one's faith and principles without hesitation, even when doing so carries an enormous personal cost.
His life became an example of living true to the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and never hesitating to risk one's life for those convictions .
Why Makiguchi Sensei's Life Matters
Makiguchi Sensei's life was not simply the story of an educator who founded an organization.
It was the story of a person who:
Dedicated himself to education
Focused on happiness and value creation
Encountered Nichiren Buddhism
Found a mentor in the person of Josei Toda
Established Soka Kyoiku Gakkai
Refused to compromise his faith under government pressure
Endured imprisonment and interrogation
Continued teaching even while imprisoned
Maintained his convictions until the end of his life
His relationship with Toda Sensei also established an important foundation for the future development of Soka Gakkai.
The mentor-disciple spirit that began between these two educators would later become one of the defining characteristics of the organization's history.
Key Points to Remember
The first three presidents of Soka Gakkai were Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda .
They are referred to with the honorific Sensei , meaning “teacher.”
Makiguchi Sensei was born on June 6, 1871 .
He became an educator and later served as principal of several elementary schools in Tokyo.
He published The Geography of Human Life in 1903.
His thinking emphasized happiness and value creation .
Makiguchi Sensei encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 1928 .
Josei Toda was born on February 11, 1900 .
Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei had an age difference of 29 years .
Toda Sensei met Makiguchi Sensei when he was 19 years old .
Toda Sensei regarded Makiguchi Sensei as his mentor .
Soka means creation of value .
On November 18, 1930 , Makiguchi Sensei published Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei .
Soka Kyoiku Gakkai later became Soka Gakkai .
November 18 is celebrated as Soka Gakkai's Founding Day .
Soka Kyoiku Gakkai eventually grew to approximately 3,000 members .
During World War II, the Japanese military government pressured citizens to accept a Shinto talisman.
Makiguchi Sensei refused to accept it.
Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei were arrested on July 6, 1943 .
Makiguchi Sensei continued to maintain his faith despite interrogation and torture.
He passed away in prison on November 18, 1944 , at the age of 73.
A Simple Timeline
1871
June 6 — Tsunesaburo Makiguchi is born.
1900
February 11 — Josei Toda is born.
1903
Makiguchi Sensei publishes The Geography of Human Life .
1928
Makiguchi Sensei encounters Nichiren Buddhism.
Toda Sensei also takes faith in Nichiren Buddhism.
1930
November 18 — Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei is published and the name Soka Kyoiku Gakkai appears publicly.
1943
July 6 — Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei are arrested.
1944
November 18 — Makiguchi Sensei passes away in prison at age 73.
The Mentor-Disciple Spirit
Perhaps the most important theme to carry forward from this first part is the relationship between Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei .
Toda Sensei was not simply a follower of Makiguchi Sensei.
He actively sought a mentor, recognized Makiguchi Sensei as his mentor and supported him throughout his life.
That relationship would become the foundation for the next chapter of Soka Gakkai's history.
And when Makiguchi Sensei passed away in prison, the story did not end.
His disciple, Josei Toda, would eventually stand up to carry forward his mentor's vision.
That is where the story of Part 2 begins.