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Soka
Gakkai Sees Total Victory
On Feb. 24, the Japanese Supreme Court, Chief Judge Toshihiro
Kanatani presiding, rejected an appeal made by Nichiren
Shoshu in a lawsuit pertaining to Nikken Abe’s “Geisha
pictures” and the Soka Gakkai. The Court endorsed
the ruling made by the Tokyo High Court, signaling the
priesthood’s defeat.
After its defeat in the “Seattle Incident,”
the priesthood lost in “two major trials”
which they themselves filed. More than anything, the correctness
of the Soka Gakkai who accused the nature of Nikken Abe,
a degenerate high priest, was proven again in the court.
Nikken’s “Geisha pictures” were carried
in Soka Shimpo dated Nov. 4 and 18, 1992. These two pictures,
which were partially amended, were originally taken in
Nov. 22, 1986 at an expensive restaurant “Kawasaki,”
located in Akasaka, Tokyo where Nikken, together with
other priests, had an elaborate dinner with many geishas.
These pictures were published to condemn Nikken for his
frequent indulgences using followers’ offerings,
going completely against the doctrines established by
Nikko Shonin, the founder of the religion. Nikko clearly
stated for the high priest of Nichiren Shoshu to be one
whom “desires and is satisfied with little”
and admonished “spending time in idleness and chatter.”
In response, Nichiren Shoshu claimed in its organ publications
that Nikken did not own a pair of hakama (Japanese trousers)
with the design seen in the pictures and that the pictures
were composition in which the head was replaced with that
of another person. However, when the date, time and place
of the feast were clarified, there was no doubt that it
was actually Nikken in the pictures. In May 1993, rather
than Nikken himself, two corporation of “Nichiren
Shoshu” and “Taiseki-ji” filed a suit
as plaintiffs claiming that the reporting was libel and
demanded one billion yen (approx. $9 million), an excessive
amount in damages.
In the first hearing held on Dec. 6, 1999, the Tokyo District
Court agreed with the priesthood’s assertions, ordering
the Soka Gakkai to pay damages. The Soka Gakkai appealed
the Court’s decision, questioning whether the ruling
contravened judicial precedent.
In response, on Dec. 5, 2000, the Tokyo High Court agreed
that the contents of the article were “directed
at Nikken’s personal behavior and character”
and “questioned his qualification as a high priest.”
The Court also recognized that “condemning Nikken
Abe does not necessarily mean accusing appellees Nichiren
Shoshu and Taiseki-ji themselves,” claiming that
“in the history of Nichiren Shoshu, there were cases
in which the high priest was forced to resign due to violation
of doctrines and involvement in scandals which raised
questions within the priesthood about their qualification
as high priest. It was also a matter of course for high
priests to step down from their positions. Also, it can
be recognized that no one believed talking about or questioning
qualifications of the high priest was an attack against
Nichiren Shoshu, since these actions were taken to preserve
the correct law and Nichiren Shoshu.” Thus, the
court overruled the ruling made by the Tokyo District
Court, rejecting all claims made by the priesthood.
In short, the Tokyo High Court recognized that the purpose
of Soka Shimpo article was to bring about a discussion
on Nikken’s qualification as high priest, and the
Supreme Court confirmed this.
In court, the Soka Gakkai proved Nikken’s actual
degeneracy submitting concrete proofs, as well as verifying
the behavior of other officiating priests. On the contrary,
the priesthood was unable to rebut at all.
The High Court also ruled against Nikken’s cunningness
of making Nichiren Shoshu and Taiseki-ji as plaintiffs
to file a suit for his personal issue, afraid of appearing
in court.
In 2003, the Supreme Court, on two separate occasions,
ruled against Nikken. In July, a libel suit was brought
by chief priest Takudo Ikeda of the Association of Reformist
priest; and September, a libel suit was brought by the
Soka Gakkai regarding records of the “Seattle Incident.”
With this latest victory, the Soka Gakkai has won in every
trial with Nichiren Shoshu. Fourteen years after the hatching
of “Operation C,” the judicial arena has provided
an impartial and reputable forum for the Soka Gakkai to
receive justice.
This latest decision by the Supreme Court has also highlighted
the true nature of Nikken: an evil and corrupt priest
of an unprecedented sort. It has become clear that there
is no other way out for Nikken. He must resign.
Words by Soka Gakkai President,
Einosuke Akiya
As seen in the Soka Gakkai’s recent victory in a
trial related to “geisha girls pictures,”
Nikken is a false clergy, disqualified to serve as high
priest. The Soka Gakkai charged, and proved, that Nikken
squandered followers’ offerings by indulging himself
with geisha girls. With this court victory, the fact that
Nikken is “disqualified as high priest” has
been eternally engraved in history.
Nichiren Daishonin states: “If he … simply
spends his time in idleness and chatter, then he is no
better than an animal dressed in priestly robes”
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p.760).
Nikken’s surrounding himself with geisha girls was
truly embarrassing, representing “an animal dressed
in priestly robes.”
The Daishonin also states: “He is nothing but a
thief who has stolen the title of priest” (WND,
760).
Nikken did not receive a transmission from the previous
high priest, nor has he taken action for the sake of kosen-rufu,
nor has he even the minimum decency of a human being.
Indeed, he has stolen the title of high priest.
Nichiren Shoshu is going down the road of ruin and being
devoured by Nikken, who shamefully clings to the seat
of high priest.
With a corrupt high priest being continuously chastised
by the Supreme Court, Hokkeko members have started to
awaken to Nikken’s true evil nature. All across
the nation, members are disassociating themselves from
Nichiren Shoshu one after another. There is no doubt that
within the priesthood there will be an increasing voice
for Nikken to “be expelled from the lineage of the
successive high priests.”
For the sake of kosen-rufu that will last for all eternity,
let us never retreat in our struggle against evil. Let
us continue to confront Nikken until he steps down from
his position as high priest.
Words by Soka Gakkai Chief Counsel, Morio Miyahara
The rulings by the Supreme Court were truly just, endorsing
the second rulings by the Tokyo High Court.
This trial began when Nichiren Shoshu and Taiseki-ji filed
a libel suit against the Soka Gakkai over a series of
“Soka Shimpo” articles critical of Nikken
Abe and his indulgence with geisha girls. However, the
articles were written to strictly question whether Nikken
Abe, who claims to be a high priest of a religious school,
is qualified for that position. In other words, the articles
had nothing to do with libel but were a fair criticism.
The Tokyo High Court ruled that the articles in the “Soka
Shimpo” condemned the quality and character of Nikken
Abe as an individual, and as such, the claims of Nichiren
Shoshu and Taiseki-ji were not valid.
In this recent case, the Supreme Court ruled the decision
made in the High Court was correct, and rejected the appeals
made by Nichiren Shoshu. There is no doubt that these
decisions were based on the fact that Nikken Abe’s
indulgent lifestyle was the essence of the whole issue.
With this ruling, I believe that more people will vigorously
question whether or not Nikken should stay in his position
or resign.
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