Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) was a reformist educator, author and philosopher who founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (the forerunner of the Soka Gakkai) in 1930. His life was characterized by confrontation with repressive authorities. As a teacher known for his warmth and consideration, he strove to introduce a more humanistic, student-centered approach to education. He fiercely opposed corrupt educational practices and was forced into an early retirement as a result.Later, he was imprisoned for opposing the policies of the Japanese militarist regime. He died in prison from malnutrition at the age of 73. In recent years his humanistic educational theories have been attracting increasing international attention.Educational Ideas For most of his life Makiguchi's central concern had been to reform the education system that, he felt, discouraged independent thinking and stifled students' happiness and creativity. He believed that education should serve the happiness of the students, rather than the needs of the state.His educational ideas, and his theory of value-creation (soka), which underlies his pedagogy, are explored in his 1930 work Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei (The Theory of Value-Creating Pedagogy).Makiguchi's views completely contradicted the logic of the militarist government, which sought to use education to mold obedient, unquestioning servants of the state.Religious Revolution In 1928, at the age of 57, Makiguchi encountered Nichiren Buddhism, finding within it a holistic philosophy that accorded with his own thinking. Two years later, he and his colleague Josei Toda founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (Society for Value-creating Education), the predecessor to the modern day Soka Gakkai and the SGI.Originally a small group of educators dedicated to educational reform, the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai gradually developed into an organization with a broad-based membership focusing on the propagation of Buddhism. This happened as Makiguchi and Toda became increasingly convinced that Nichiren's philosophy, with its focus on the transformation of society through the individual's transformation, was the means to achieving the fundamental social reform that they had been trying to accomplish through their educational efforts.Arrest Meanwhile, in order to garner popular support for its war campaign, the Japanese government imposed the religion of state Shinto, with its nationalistic mythology and ideology of emperor worship, on the populace. It also grew increasingly intolerant of dissent. Makiguchi staunchly opposed these repressive actions.In 1943, Makiguchi and Toda, along with 19 other leaders of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai were arrested and imprisoned. In 1944 Makiguchi died in prison of malnutrition, refusing to the end to compromise his beliefs."What then is the purpose of national education? Rather than devise complex theoretical interpretations, it is better to start by looking to the lovely child who sits on your knee and ask yourself: What can I do to assure that this child will be able to lead the happiest life possible?" -- Makiguchi Josei Toda (1900-1958) was an educator, publisher and entrepreneur who, as second president of the Soka Gakkai, revived the lay Buddhist organization after World War II, building it into a dynamic, popular movement.Encountering his Mentor Arriving in Tokyo from the northern Island of Hokkaido in his early twenties, Toda found a teaching post at the school where Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was principal. Impressed by Makiguchi's educational ideals, he soon became his protégé. In 1928 he followed Makiguchi in his decision to practice Nichiren Buddhism. The two later co-founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, forerunner of the Soka Gakkai.Imprisonment When Japan entered World War II, Toda and Makiguchi were arrested and imprisoned for opposing the militarist government's policies.In prison, Toda devoted himself to the practice and study of Nichiren Buddhism, gaining a profound grasp of its principles. His efforts brought him to a clear realization that Buddhahood is a potential inherent in all life, and deepened his confidence that all people could manifest this enlightened life condition through practicing Nichiren's teachings.Building the Soka Gakkai On his release from prison at the end of World War II, Toda began to reconstruct the collapsed Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, renaming it the Soka Gakkai (Society for the Creation of Value). Toda taught that through Buddhist practice and inner-motivated change, or "human revolution", all people can change their destiny for the better. This message resonated powerfully among the many people suffering from poverty, illness and other challenges in the chaos of post-war Japan. Moreover, Toda's unshakable confidence in the power of Nichiren's philosophy and his ability to translate the profound concepts of Buddhism into practical guidance for daily life re-ignited people's hope and courage.By the time of his death in 1958 Toda had built an organization of nearly one million members and laid the foundation for the dramatic spread of Nichiren Buddhism abroad.Peace Legacy Toda is also remembered for his uncompromising stance against nuclear weapons, which he termed an absolute evil that threatens people's inalienable right to life. He urged the youth members of the Soka Gakkai to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons. This stance, which he declared in 1957, is considered the inspiration for the SGI's peace activities.
TO MY MENTOR IN LIFE!!! ..
..WRITTEN BY: SOUTH FLORIDA Y.P.G. DRAMA GROUP/ DIRECTED BY: (MR.)BILLY(BANG)/ EDITED BY: CLAUDIO(THE TECH VET)/ THE PLAYERS: RICHARD, LIL' GABE, GOOGONYO, MITCH, JUSTIN/SPECIAL GUESTS: ANDREA TAMAREZ, NICK TANDY SPECIAL THANKS TO ROBERT "R@+" SQUIRE
Daisaku Ikeda is the president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist association of more than 12 million members in 190 countries and territories, and founder of several educational, cultural and research institutions.He is a prolific writer, poet and peace activist, recognized as one of the leading interpreters of Buddhism, bringing its timeless wisdom to bear on the many contemporary issues confronting humanity.