Pulling people out of suffering

Toda's voice always rang with conviction. His guidance had the power to pull people out of their suffering and set them on the road toward happiness.



They listen and grew brighter, and the colour returned to their cheeks. Hope had returned to their desolate lives. - HOUR, Standing Alone, oh 75

Achieving 10,000 yen target

Everyone's ability has limits, and this is where fortune-or the lack of it-comes into play. The wise will not necessarily be successful, while those who look like fools may enjoy success beyond their dreams. Life is infinitely subtle and complex.

Toda's smile vanished.

"Well, what do all of you think about our victory Toda? It's a benefit for having fought and suffered two years in prison for the Lotus Sutra. Talent's not everything. This is a benefit. The Gohonzon knows. The Gohonzon is truly great."

His eyes glowed, and his firm-set mouth had a look of nobility.

- HR, Vol.1, pg.56

Relationship without faith

Toda understood (now) that a relationship without faith could seldom withstand all the storms of life.

- HR, Cease-Fire, Pg.51

 

Arrogance versus Confidence

Leading newspapers (Japan) published the Potsdam Declaration under the heading "News From Abroad" without running the full text of each clause. Needless to say, it drove the public into uproar. The public demanded a statement from Prime Minister Suzuki.

Facing the press, the prime minister said: "The government does not consider it of major importance. We will simply ignore it. Our only effort now is to fight out the war."

On July 30, the newspapers carried reports of this statement, and at the same time, it was broadcast over radio, reaching the entire world.

The Allies interpreted Japan's attitude as refusal. There was no other way they could take it. But many inside the Japanese government were still waiting to seize a chance to end the hostilities, and they suffered keenly.

The crazed military regime could no longer analyze the declaration calmly.

Not surprisingly, the American air attacks increased with sudden fury. No matter how often the sirens wailed, Toda never once entered the air raid shelter. His family would beg him to take cover, but he remained stubbornly unmoved. It was not that he had nerves of steel. He was fully confident that because of his commitment to his mission, he would not be killed by the bombs. Of his family's escape to the shelter, he said nothing. - Human Revolution, Vol.1, pg.42

Reference:

1. Potsdam Declaration (http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html)

Josei Toda's positive attitude and strength

The lawyer handed a bundle of documents to a clerk and told him to total them. The clerk added swiftly on abacus, wrote the aim on a separate slip of paper and placed it on the lawyer's desk. The lawyer stared at it for a while in silence, then he passed it to Toda. Toda removed his glasses and brought the paper close to his face.

Scowling at the figures, Toda asked, 'is this in the black or red?'

'Red,' the lawyer answered simply.

Toda answered as though to himself,'A deficit of more than 2.5 million yen?'

At his side, Ukue (wife) shivered.

This was the result of two years, unjust imprisonment-not one of his seventeen companies was worth salvaging.

He trudged home under the blazing sun, burning with anger. To rebuild, he had no choice but to undertake a completely new venture. He had no money, however, no connections. Nor did he gave anyone to work with him. He could not even imagine what sort of business he should start. With a debt of 2.5 million yen, he had been dealt a mortal blow as a businessman. Taking into consideration the difference between economic circumstances then and now, the debt today (1965) would equal the staggering aim of nearly three hundred million yen.

'Don't worry,' Toda spoke gently to his wife, who walked beside him with her head bowed. 'As long as I'm here, you do not ever have to worry.' The situation was hopeless. As yet, he has no concrete plans. But in his heart, he felt a confidence that no one would have understand.

- Human Revolution, Reconstruction, page 27

Family value

Peace in the family is worth more than a fortune. National leaders who fail to give the people a chance to create happy families cannot be called leaders. - Josei Toda

Toda at Harajuku train station

He muttered to himself, 'religious ignorance has destroyed our country.' - Dawn, Human Revolution, page 9



Everyone desires peace and happiness. There should be no war. Who enjoys it?



Neither the victors nor the vanquished.

Throughout modern history, Japan had plunged into the catastrophe of war once every decade, risking the nation future, and each time the people had suffered immense sacrifice and misfortune.

How could this evil destiny be broken?