Nationwide Teacher's Training Meeting Was Held at Taiseki-ji

On August 24th and 25th, 2006, the first Nationwide Teachers Training Meeting was held at Taiseki-ji, under the new high priest Nichinyo. Since the ceremony installing the new high priest in April, the administration has worked hard to make a new departure for Taiseki-ji, claiming either "double-increase of jiyu" (Bodhisattvas of the Earth) or a project for the "improvement of the head temple," and so on. In the Teachers Training Meeting, both Nissho Yagi and Shinsho Abe [Nikken's son], who are desperate to establish some momentum, took the platform a number of times, each shouting about the accomplishment of their goals by the year 2009. They were trying to light a fire under the priests from all over Japan.

To promote increased efforts in shakubuku, they cited the examples of the persecutions in Atsuhara, as well as one in Edo period, and they stressed that "we should be able to achieve more shakubuku [than during the Daishonin's time] because we have the guarantee of religious freedom." And they also pressured the participants that "they should struggle at the risk of their lives for next four months."

As for the improvements on the head temple, it was announced that every December for next three years, Hokkeko members will be asked for monetary donations. Also, local temples are being asked to donate more money to Taiseki-ji-the yearly amount should be the equivalent of five percent of their assets. It was also requested that each priest and all their family members should donate personally.

Nikken, the past priest, has been breaking every custom at the temple. In the past, the retired high priest has stayed out of the spotlight, so as to not upstage the new high priest. On this occasion, Nikken held an "audience" with his disciples, and not only solicited them for monetary donations, but also displayed his presence while attending both the opening and commencement sessions. And Nikken took over the Gosho lecture which the current high priest was originally supposed to conduct. His lecture lasted three hours! His impudent behavior is too much to tolerate.