Vow 47
In response to the baseless attacks on the Soka Gakkai by priests of the Shoshin-kai, Shin'ichi Yamamoto launched a series of fresh initiatives for kosen-rufu. Inspired by this, Soka Gakkai members began a new, joyful advance. The movement for kosen-rufu spread and grew steadily, regaining its momentum month by month, year by year, to flow powerfully like a mighty river.
The path of kosen-rufu, however, is always steep and challenging, and one must overcome all sorts of ordeals and obstacles to keep moving forward.
Shin'ichi himself experienced numerous personal trials. On October 3, 1984, his second son, Hisahiro, died suddenly of an illness. He was only 29.
Hisahiro had obtained a master's degree in law at Soka University, and joined the university staff after graduating, motivated by his wish to protect the citadel of Soka education for future generations.
On September 23, Hisahiro was on campus making preparations for various upcoming events. Later, he complained of stomach pain and was hospitalized. It appears that even the day before he passed away, he was discussing plans for the Soka University Festival with other staff members over the phone in the hospital.
Hisahiro often told his friends about his dream to build Soka University into a leading world university that would have a place in history. That would require truly dedicated individuals who were willing to give their all to achieving that goal, he said, and he was determined to be one of those individuals.
Shin'ichi was in Kansai to attend the 5th SGI General Meeting and other activities, and was devoting himself to encouraging members day after day.
On the evening of October 3, when he learned of Hisahiro's death, he offered prayers at the Kansai Culture Center for his son's eternal happiness. Although Hisahiro died so young, Shin'ichi was confident that he lived his life exactly as he had resolved, doing his utmost to fulfill his mission.
Shin'ichi felt that there must be profound meaning in his son's death.
It is to be expected that all sorts of difficulties and hardships will arise in the process of striving for kosen-rufu. Genuine faith enables us to confront anything that happens without fear or doubt, to deeply perceive the true nature of every painful event with the eyes of faith, and to overcome every hurdle.
The path of kosen-rufu is a long, ongoing series of struggles from which we can never retreat. To have this awareness and embody the principle that "difficulties are peace and comfort" (cf. OTT, 115) is what it means to apply the Daishonin's teachings to our lives and is the heart of the Soka Gakkai spirit.
