On this day in 1979, President Ikeda was forced to resign as president of
all lay organizations. The following excerpt from the World Tribune
contains President Ikeda's thoughts on this day in history:
	“Kanagawa is the place where Nichiren Daishonin waged virtually all of
his most momentous struggles for kosen-rufu.  The reason that I went to
Kanagawa straight from the meeting where I formally stepped down as Soka
Gakkai president was that I wanted to reflect on the significance of the
Daishonin’s struggles here.  I want you to know this."
	“Unless we speak out to set the record straight and ensure that truth
prevails, we will not be able to achieve kosen-rufu.  The Soka Gakkai
spirit lies in fearlessly stating the truth.  This was the Soka Gakkai’s
strength in its early days.  It is the reason why we have succeeded in
developing the kosen-rufu movement to the extent that we have.  And this
spirit is needed now more than ever before.”  (WT, 10/10/97)

In his recent message to the Millenium Service 2000 gathering in Atlanta,
President Ikeda also stated:
"Let us teach our children:
et us teach our children:
What would make those who came before you the happiest?
	If you were to carry on their struggle, to fight for the happiness of
future generations as they have, to care for and serve those who are
suffering. When you do so, you will begin to realize why your predecessors
were able to hold their heads high and live with pride despite being
surrounded by cruelty and lies."

In the same message he also stated:
"To witness evil and yet stand silently by is to be an ally to evil. To
fail to do good yields the same result as doing bad. Each time you
overlook evil, you allow another malicious weed to take root." (WT,
4/28/00) 

	In our study of the history of Nichiren Shoshu and the corruption among
priests, most notably the current High Priest, we have become aware of the
pitfalls of religious authority. It is such authority that forced
President Ikeda to resign in 1979. 
	Our fervent hope is for the student division members to become the kind
of people our mentor is longing to see take the lead in our organization.
People of sincere faith and unbending character. Leaders who will never
succumb to authoritarianism, cruelty or injustice. Let this day, April
24th, be the day we resolve to never forget.

Let’s amaze the world!
Boston, Wendy, Daisaku, and Maggie

by Francesco Miniati, Midwest Region

Recently,I have been reflecting on the spirit
of offering in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism with regards to 
the May 3rd Contribution.I have done so because in the past, 
even though I was challenging myself to give more in terms 
of quantity, I was not feeling great joy in doing so.

Also, from my experience there had often been a casual attitude
toward this contribution, sometimes based on the expectation
to become rich as a result of the offering, other times on the 
rationale that ``since the amount is not important it doesn't 
matter how much I offer.'' Also, at other times the encouragement 
I heard emphasized the financial needs of the organization. 
Although these things are in part true, I believe that from the 
standpoint of faith the most important thing is to deepen our 
understanding of one vital aspect of our practice--appreciation.

In my opinion, more difficult than offering any amount
of money is to feel real appreciation for this Buddhism
and the SGI and thereby contribute with joy. To
me, that's the real challenge and source of benefit.
I have tried to deepen my understanding of this based on the
Gosho and President Ikeda's guidance. Also I have challenged
myself to discuss this with others. At the last Student Division
meeting we studied the Gosho ``The Gift of Rice,'' in which
Nichiren Daishonin fully explains the meaning and the spirit of
offering.

The day after that meeting I realized that I had not made my 
determination for the May 3rd contribution yet. So I was chanting 
to come up with one, which was solely based on my feeling for 
the SGI. I wanted to feel like the Daishonin's followers when they 
sent him seaweed, robes, coins or anything they could offer, out of 
their heartfelt appreciation to sustain their beloved mentor. Instantly 
it became clear that I wanted to offer $500 for the widespread 
propagation of this Buddhism in the U.S. As a grad student, this is 
half my monthly salary and substantially more than my contributions 
in the past year, but I was determined to do my best.

That same morning I went to my department, as I do once or twice
a week. As I checked my mailbox, I spotted something unusual
there. It was a letter from the University of Minnesota.
As I opened it, I learned that I had been selected by the Award
Committee to receive the 2000 Rahman Prize. It further read
``The Rahman prize carries a stipend of $1,000 and is awarded
to advanced physics or astrophysics graduate students who have
made significant scholarly contribution to their field of
research.'' The formal announcement and presentation of
the prize will take place exactly on May 3rd, 2000.

I really felt great joy and almost cried when I read that
letter. I felt the award was coming directly from the Gohonzon,
for my efforts both in faith and in my studies.
Through this experience I learned the importance of constantly
deepening my faith and seeking the true spirit of this wonderful
Buddhism.