Day of Justice - April 24th

Download this memo by clicking here.

Thirty years ago, on April 24, 1979, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda stepped down as the third Soka Gakkai president and became honorary president. President Ikeda's resignation was the result of individuals who tried to destroy the Soka Gakkai and those who lacked the courage to protect it. President Ikeda recalls this incident as a time when, "I could detect no trace of the fighting spirit to protect the Soka Gakkai with one's life or the willingness to fight together with me, no matter the times or circumstances."

We commemorate April 24th to refresh our hearts and our determination to protect the purity of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. With the Daishonin’s spirit to never seek the Gohonzon outside ourselves, we have compiled a list of Soka Justice resources and questions that may be used to support our April district discussion meetings:

Soka Justice Resources

• Stormy April 24th, essay by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
  
• Spiritual Independence Pamphlet
  
• Spiritual Independence and Mentor-Disciple Relationship, by Nathan Gauer, Mar-Apr 2009 Living Buddhism
  
• Soka Justice: Geography of the Heart, Seize the Day pull out, 2/20/09 World Tribune
  
• Dedicate Your Lives to the Great Path of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple, Sep-Oct 2008 and Nov-Dec 2008 Living Buddhism

Sample Questions for Dialogue

• What does the oneness of mentor and disciple relationship mean to you?
  
• Why do you think it’s important to study the significance of April 24th?
  
• Why do you think Nichiren Daishonin emphasized the importance of the heart in our Buddhist practice?
  
• How has studying about Soka Justice helped you in your daily life?

Districts can use the materials in the way they deem best. The goal is to spark joyful and heartfelt dialogue that will deepen our understanding of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and the oneness of mentor and disciple.

Thank you for all of your efforts with our victorious March district discussion meetings! Let's continue to build on our victories by having joyful district discussion meetings in April!

Download this memo by clicking here.

Download Stormy April 24th essay here.

Additional April 24th Materials

If you would like additional study materials or resources besides the ones we've recommended, you can find them by visiting the April 24th, Day of Justice website. 

Click here to visit the site.

You can also download some of the following essays focusing on Soka Justice. Click to download the .pdf.

• Right Will Win Out in the End - By Margie Hall
  
• Staying the Course of Faith - By Daisaku Ikeda
  
• The Atsuhara Persecution: Disciples Join the Struggle - By Daisaku Ikeda
  
• The True Purpose of Religion - By Daisaku Ikeda