Namu Myoho Rengekyo!

Premier Kishi's decisive victory over the Socialists (see above) seemed like any other modern, democratic electoral competition. But there were reminders of a more ancient Japan. On election eve a Buddhist priest from Hiroshima, who disagreed with Kishi's foreign policy, used a 5-in. dagger to disembowel himself in ceremonial hara-kiri in front of the Premier's official residence. And there was also something decidedly un-Western about the election of all six candidates nominated by the Soka Gakkai sect.

Freshened Minds. Founded in 1930 by a crusty, quick-tempered high school principal, the sect seeks to annihilate all other religions and to establish Soka Gakkai (literal translation: the value-creating study group) as the national religion of Japan. New to politics, this flamboyant sect first made its mark in the April municipal elections when 337 of its 362 candidates were elected to office. Founder Tsunesaburo Makiguchi believed that mankind's salvation lay in the teachings of the Buddhist saint Nichiren* By merely chanting the magic formula, "Namu My oho Rengekyo [I devote myself to the Scripture of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law]," a believer not only freshens his mind but is able to endure and overcome sickness, misfortune, poverty and unhappiness.

There is a strong military cast to Soka Gakkai: ten families constitute a squad; six squads a company; ten companies a local district; and 30 districts a regional chapter that is directly responsible to headquarters, which is governed by a Supreme Commander with six appointed aides. The faith is propagated through weekly meetings of squad members, where there are long group discussions of the personal problems of members and how to overcome them.

Chanting Police. Its methods of recruitment are novel: believers go in relays to the house of a hoped-for convert and, day and night, chant the magic formula. Irate neighbors frequently call the police but are sometimes flabbergasted to find that the policemen often belong to Soka Gakkai too, and join their voices to the chanting. Often the unfortunate target will give up and become a member of Soka Gakkai just to get some sleep.

The sect has collided with labor unions as well as police. Three years ago thousands of Soka Gakkai coal miners refused to join a strike because it would mean a violation of Nichiren's teaching that work is a blessing. The issue was compromised: union leaders promised not to interfere with the conversion of workers and Soka Gakkai agreed to recognize strikes aimed at "bettering the workers' lot."

Money comes in through "voluntary" contributions, and most of it is lavished on its Taisekiji temple (which it hopes to make a national shrine) at the foot of Fujiyama and on some 130 branch temples scattered throughout Japan. Claiming a membership of 1,100,000 families, the current sect leader, Takashi Koizumi, 52, explains that the move into politics is "simply insurance. Several years ago we began getting official interference, and that was when we decided we must have our representatives in the Diet." As a happy afterthought, Koizumi adds: "Besides, having men who believe in Nichiren's teachings in the Diet will influence the ugly character of politics and make it clean and pure."

* A disputatious, 13th century Buddhist holy man, Nichiren's criticisms of other sects led to frequent persecution. He lived in the streets and preached to the poor, reportedly foretold the Mongol invasion of Japan and its defeat, was famed for his litany: "I shall be the pillar of Japan. I shall be the eye of Japan, and I shall be the great vessel of Japan." He died in Tokyo in 1282.

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