1989
February 25
The priesthood expresses its desire to raise the tozan fee in conjunction with the implementation of the new sales tax system in Japan.
March 2
The Soka Gakkai tells the high priest that the increase will be criticized as taking advantage of the new sales tax system. Later, Executive Director Yagi replies on behalf of Nichiren Shoshu, saying that the priesthood does not want to raise the tozan fee.
July
The high priest claims that construction of a temple in Tachikawa City is too slow.
October
The priesthood claims that a picture of England's Most Noble Order of the Garter, which appeared on the back cover of the October issue of the Soka Gakkai's monthly magazine, Daibyakurenge, is slanderous.
1990
March
The high priest complains that attendance at the priests' nightly prayer for the attainment of kosen-rufu, ushitora gongyo, is too small.
March 13
The priesthood notifies the Soka Gakkai (during the communication conference between the Administrative Office and the Soka Gakkai) of its unilateral decision to raise various fees, such as for bestowing the Gohonzon on new believers.
June 10
The high priest notifies the Soka Gakkai that the priesthood will build cemeteries at various temples. The high priest states: 'We now have enough priests and temples. All we have to do is to make more cemeteries.î
July
Operation 'C' is plotted in utmost secrecy within the priesthood.
July 17
At the regular communication conference, the Soka Gakkai asks the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood to reform their extravagant lifestyles.
July 21
The high priest shouts at Honorary President Ikeda and President Akiya. To President Akiya he says: "You shut up the mouth of the high priest. You have committed the slander of arrogance." To Honorary President Ikeda he says, "I'll put the issue of your impeachment before the disciplinary committee."
August 29
The Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office sends a notice to each chief priest, cautioning them to be strict with their personal lifestyles.
September 2
8,000 Shizuoka youth division members conduct a culture festival to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the opening of Taiseki-ji.
October 12
Ceremonies celebrating the 700th anniversary of the opening of Taiseki-ji are conducted through Oct. 13.
November 14
At the regular communication conference, the priesthood reprimands the Soka Gakkai for its slowness in building 200 temple being donated to Nichiren Shoshu.
November 16
The 35th Headquarters Leaders Meeting is held.
November 20
The high priest sends his New Years message to be published in Daibyakurenge to the Soka Gakkai. In this message, he highly praises the Soka Gakkai's dedication to kosen-rufu.
December 13
At the regular communication conference, the priesthood suddenly attempts to hand a list of questions regarding Mr. Ikeda's Nov. 16 speech to representative leaders of the Soka Gakkai. The Soka Gakkai points out that if the tape had been altered, the temple's General Administrator would be seriously responsible, and request a dialogue to avoid embarrassment.
December 17
A letter of inquiry regarding President Ikeda's speech is sent from Nichiren Shoshu to Soka Gakkai Headquarters by certified mail requesting a written response within one week.
December 23
The Gakkai writes a letter of inquiry to the priesthood, expressing its desire to seek a solution through dialogue. Nine questions are submitted.
December 26
In response to the letter of Dec. 23, General Administrator Fujimoto sends a notice to the Soka Gakkai stating that the priesthood considers the Gakkai's letter indicative of their lack of desire to provide written answers to their questions.
December 27
A special meeting of the Nichiren Shoshu Council is convened, at which the rules are revised, resulting in Honorary President Ikeda and other Soka Gakkai leaders being summarily relieved of their positions as head of all Nichiren Shoshu lay organizations, and senior lay representatives, respectively. The rule changes include the addition of an article which allows for believers to be punished for criticizing the high priest.
December 30
The Soka Gakkai sends a letter to General Administrator Fujimoto protesting the priesthood's decisions for being undemocratic and one-sided, and making three basic requests: first, that the priesthood become open to the world in a manner befitting the age of democracy; second, that the priesthood correct its authoritarian attitude toward lay believers; and third, that the priesthood correct the self-indulgence among priests, reestablishing a tradition of modesty. Also, the Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office issues a statement charging that the nine questions posed by the Soka Gakkai on Dec. 23 are an attempt to interrogate the priesthood.
1991
January 2
Because the Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office continues to reject dialogue, the Soka Gakkai sends written answers to the Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office.
January 6
High Priest Nikken, in a speech to chief priests, says that President Ikeda's comments at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sho-Hondo regarding its significance were incorrect. The Administrative Office issues six guidelines in dealing with the dispute.
January 10
The high priest makes a similar speech regarding significance of the Sho-Hondo at the Nationwide Teachers Guidance meeting at the head temple.
January 13
General Administrator Fujimoto issues a statement to the Soka Gakkai acknowledging the existence of mistakes in its transcription of the tape of President Ikeda's Nov. 16 speech. As a result, four questions are withdrawn.
January 15-18
The Soka Gakkai continues to protest the priesthood's actions and seeks complete retractions of all allegations made against the organization and Honorary President Ikeda.
February 13
In the February issue of Dai-Nichiren, the priesthood's monthly publication, the high priest corrects parts of his lectures on the Sho-Hondo which relate to allegations made against president Ikeda.
Late February
The chief priest of each Nichiren Shoshu temple sends a notice to Honorary President Ikeda requesting apology for comments made Nov. 16.
March 5
Administrative Office notifies the Soka Gakkai that it has unilaterally revised its policies for overseas propagation, insisting that new members fall under the direct control of the local temple priest.
March 16
The Nichiren Shoshu Administrative office sends a notice to the Soka Gakkai stating that the existing monthly tozan system, initiated by the Gakkai, will be abolished as of July 2, 1991. Each member must then register with their local temple to obtain documents permitting then to visit the head temple and see the Dai-Gohonzon.
April 2
Conference between Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office is held regarding tozan procedure. They agree to meet again.
April 26
The Administrative Office unilaterally notifies the Soka Gakkai that a conference regarding the tozan procedure is not necessary.
June 5
The Administrative Office places an ad in the newspaper promoting the new tozan system.
July 2
The new tozan system begins.
July 21
At the Nichiren Shoshu Teachers Conference, the Administrative Office announces a revised policy encouraging members to leave the Gakkai, thus commencing an all-out danto movement.
August 29
At the Teachers Guidance Meeting, High Priest Nikken responds to a question regarding the confusion of members not wanting to practice in the atmosphere of the dispute saying, 'You shouldn't care if they dislike practicing this way or not -- this should not be an issue to you. Tell them it's not good for them to keep saying such silly things. Just screw them -- that's all you have to do towards these complainers.î
September 29
It is revealed that High Priest Nikken purchased a $40,000 family tombstone and placed it in a Zen cemetery. It was also learned that on July 17, 1989, he performed a memorial service on Zen temple grounds.
October 17
At the Nationwide Meeting of Senior Priests in Japan, six priests proposed the following:
- They demand the dissolution of the Soka Gakkai,
- SGI members will no longer be allowed to go on tozan,
- The excommunication of Honorary President Ikeda and all executive officers if the Soka Gakkai, and
- Gohonzons can no longer be received by SGI members.
October 21
The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood sends a notice to the Soka Gakkai that it is incorrect for the laity to perform funeral services.
November 2
The SGI refutes the priesthood's accusations that it is slanderous for laity to perform funerals.
November 8
The priesthood orders the dissolution of the Soka Gakkai by issuing a press release to the media.
November 28
Nichiren Shoshu sends notice of the excommunication of the Soka Gakkai to Soka Gakkai Headquarters.
December 27
The SGI sends a petition with over sixteen million signatures requesting that High Priest Nikken resign.
1992
February 2
Seven Nichiren Shoshu priests, including former Myoho-ji temple (Los Angeles) chief priest, the Rev. Gun'ei Kudo, who is now chief priest if Choei-ji temple in Tokyo, send a 'Letter or Remonstration' to High Priest Nikken.
February 3
The seven priests hold a press conference in Tokyo to officially announce they have left Nichiren Shoshu and are commencing a campaign to reform the sect.
February 8
The Rev. Yugu Narita, the chief priest of Koryu-ji temple in Hokkaido, announces that his temple would sever its relationship with the umbrella corporation of Nichiren Shoshu and join the seven other priests in the reform campaign.
February 15
The Rev. Yuki Okazaki, chief priest of Myoki-ji temple in Akita reveals he has left Nichiren Shoshu to protest the way High Priest Nikken reigns over the sect.
(Seikyo Times, March 1992, No. 368, p.27-35) © 1992 by World Tribune Press, Soka Gakkai International - USA