History of Soka Gakkai

The History of Soka Gakkai Japan and Soka Gakki International

The creation of Soka Gakkai International is a unque history of a common people’s movement in the 20th century. It began with its first President, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) a teacher by profession, who embraced Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism and later founded the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (Value Creating Society) which later became the Soka Gakkai Organization. He was an educator, author and philosopher. At his time, Japan was under a militarist government which was repressive and authoritarian and impose strict rules against those who opposed its nationalistic agenda. However, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was not intimidated by the injustice and inhumane treatment of the common people especially, where he fervently fought against the unequal and corrupt educational institutions of his time that favourably benefited those who are from upper society then the common ordinary students. His avid stance to respect human rights and equality led to his hard work to change the unfair practices of his school systems leading to one of his writings, “Education for Creative Living”. His book offers theories of his humanistic approaches to value creation and fostering the inherent capabilities of individuals through education. His strong opposition and fight against the unfairness of the educational school system forced his early retirement. However, he never recanted his position and later was imprisoned for his ardent opposition to Japan’s growing nationalist propaganda to go to war and to start a war against its neighbours. Makiguchi was a rare voice of his time who spoke up against its countries war for its inhumane treatment and destruction to life and the destruction of the sanctity and dignity of humanity. By his movement to protect the sanctity and dignity of life against Japan’s war and by not submitting to resign or compromise his values and faith to the government authorities led to his eventual death at age 73 while in prison.

Josei Toda like his mentor Tsunesaburo Makiguchi embraced Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism in 1928. He was an educator and entrepreneur. While in his early twenties he met his mentor while teaching in one the schools that Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was principal. He was inspired to Makiguchi’s educational ideals and later became Makiguchi’s protégé. Sharing a common bond with his mentor Makiguchi he shared the same fate of his mentor for by opposing Japan militarist movement to enter World War II was arrested and imprisoned. (to continue)

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History of Soka Gakkai