"No one but I could have endured what I have"

"The Lotus Sutra says that its practitioners will be cursed and spoken
ill of and will encounter hatred and jealousy even more severe than in
Sakyamuni's time. 'This sutra is hard to uphold,' the Lotus Sutra also
says. In the Gosho, citing these sutra passages, the Daishonin
repeatedly explains that those who propagate the Mystic Law in the
Latter Day will be assailed by many difficulties. This certainly has
been the case in my life. I am living Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism
with my entire being. I have borne one attack after another. I have
inherited President Toda's spirit and withstood all. **No one but I could
have endured what I have.** I am living solely to safeguard the legacy
of President Makiguchi, to protect the SGI and the members who are
so dear to me. Today, at this gathering to commemorate May 3 --
which represents the prime point of the Soka Gakkai and the SGI -- I
want you to understand this earnest, unwavering spirit that guides my
life." (World Tribune, June 13, 1997, p.11-12) April 21, 1997, speech by Daisaku Ikeda in commemoration of May 3

"Probably no one could ever come close
to repeating what I have accomplished." 
(World Tribune, September 26, 1997, p. 11).

Ah! But just wait till Ikeda Jr. takes over....

"In understanding sensei's concerns and desires, and chanting
to make sensei's concerns my concerns, I can *gain* sensei's heart.
When I understand sensei's concerns and integrate them into my daily
life, I am truly walking step in step with sensei."
Pat Matthews

"I can understand your problem. Sensei is trying to open your heart of
compassion to others."
Pat Matthews

"If President Ikeda, who has led activities for realizing
world peace for more than 40 years, is not the Buddha,
then, there is no hope that I can become a Buddha. Then,
Buddhism is a mere idealism, and I will quit."
Public statement on arbn by Richard Hower

"SGI President Ikeda has been doing this for the most of his life, 
and took the initiative for establishing world peace. He is respected 
by thousands of world leaders. If he is not the Buddha of the 20th century,
then who can be?"
Public statement on arbn by Richard Hower

"I have a problem with PI = God (or Nikken = God) i.e., perfection and 
salvation through worshipping them. I have no problem with PI = Buddha"
Shirley, SGI member

"Tremendous! A Russian Scholar who is neither a member of the
SGI, nor even a Buddhist gave such a profound talk! She did not 
specifically mention who is the Buddha of the modern times. But 
from the context, I believe that she is pointing to Ikeda 
SENEI as the *Buddha of the modern times*, and that, in more 
general sense, all members of the Soka Gakkai International 
throughout the world are Buddhas of the modern times."
Richard Hower, SGI-USA member, from his website:
http://www.paonline.com/hower/voro.htm

"Ive been in the SGI all my life, and I would do
anything for SGI, Pres. Ikeda"
Pat Hawes, SGI-USA member

"After the Chinese government massacred students at Tennanmon
square, China became an outcast in the international community.
Ikeda said, "our friends are suffering. Let’s visit them and
encourage them!" 
Andy 357, SGI member

"Because We have the money, and Hokkeko does 
not have EVEN A FRACTION of the money we have,
who do you think will win this battle between 
the corrupt priesthood and SGI?"
Richard Hower, SGI-USA member

``The honorary chairman Ikeda is my mentor in life. His teachings are my meat and drink."
SGI Political Party (Komeito) leader Takenori Kanzaki