Giant Pinocchio arrives in Sweden [Soka Gakkai]

10th Is there a guru?

"No there is no guru. An important Buddhist principle of education in general and Buddhism in particular is the mentor-disciple relationship. The original mentor is Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, and we as Buddhists are disciples / students.Therefore, we study his writings. In some times takes Buddhism big step forward because someone has been able to explain and inspire others to use Buddhist wisdom and practice to change their lives and the time they live in. SGI itself is such a phenomenon. SGI today is probably the world's largest active Buddhist organization. SGI's history is largely its three presidents struggle and victory. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi founded the Soka Gakkai in 1930 and died in prison in 1944 of torture and malnutrition after refusing unite behind the Japanese military regime. Josei Toda was Makiguchis direct disciple but came alive from the prison at the end of the war and built up the remnants of the organization into a vital organization in postwar Japan. Daisaku Ikeda was Todas direct disciple and became its third and current President in 1960.Daisaku Ikeda has created a huge international peace movement Soka Gakkai which today encloses approximately 15 million practitioners. Through his dedication and drive to help people change their lives, Makiguchi, Toda and Ikeda spread an understanding of the Buddhist view of life that is unparalleled in history. These three people, and especially Daisaku Ikeda, serves as an inspiration to Buddhist act in our day and today fills the function of a mentor to those who want to study Buddhist wisdom." -- SGI Sweden