by Masuo Nezu

These are personal reminiscences about the late founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano from his former chief secretary, Masuo Nezu, now in retirement. During his years of service, the writer accompanied Rev. Niwano on dissemination tours, interreligious cooperation activities, and peace promotion work, both in Japan and overseas. This series recalls not only heartwarming episodes from the founder's everyday life, but also the spiritual insights derived from his words and deeds.

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"Working for the happiness of all people"

On October 6, 1999, President Nichiko Niwano offered a message of gratitude to all who had attended and observed the vigil for the late Founder Nikkyo Niwano on the fourth floor of the Great Sacred Hall. Behind the president, a large portrait of the founder and his remains were placed before the image of Shakyamuni Buddha, focus of devotion for all Rissho Kosei-kai members.

On October 4, 1999 all members of Rissho Kosei-kai were saddened by the news of the passing of Founder Nikkyo Niwano, who had died that morning at 10:34.

Some learned of it from the national news on television at 1 p.m., some were informed through their mobile phones. Others saw the news on the electronic bulletin board in the bullet trains on the their way to the Tokyo headquarters on group pilgrimages. Many members thus went directly to the Great Sacred Hall.

As they stood in front of the platform in the Great Sacred Hall, with its huge portrait of the late founder showing his usual smile enveloping all in his warm regard, many were overcome with grief. They offered their gratitude for his kindness in guiding them to the Dharma and pledged to reward him through their devotion to practicing the Way.

The news of his passing carried by the mass media was very quick and comprehensive. Reporters who were familiar with Founder Niwano's work for interreligious cooperation and world peace and senior executives and editors moved promptly. Not only national daily newspapers, but also local papers which carried the news report, contributed by the Kyodo News agency, immediately published obituary articles. Some carried detailed articles written by their own staff members. Special obituaries appeared in the evening edition of newspapers on the day he died. Morning editions the following day published extensive reports about Rev. Niwano's activities during the second half of his life, including his speeches to Special Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament, his address to the UN office in Geneva, and his efforts for interreligious dialogue and cooperation with the world's religious leaders.

As time passed, many newspapers published heartfelt messages of remembrance by people from various walks of life. Religious newspapers also reported the founder's passing and offered details about his accomplishments throughout his life.

TV stations, too, did not limit themselves to simple obituaries, but also showed some of his activities at home and abroad.

Regarding the quantity and depth of these reports, one journalist said, "Such extensive coverage of the passing of a lay religious figure has never happened before."

There was much activity behind the scenes. Distribution of its report by the Japanese news agency Kyodo to its subscribers was done as quickly as possible, resulting in the rapid dissemination of the news both in Japan and abroad.

In domestic TV news broadcasting, it seems to me that very prompt arrangements to report his demise were made because the fixed schedule of TV programs could have caused several hours of delay before showing the news.

Among the media people were those who had experienced fairly close contact with Rev. Niwano through their coverage of such activities as the world assemblies of the WCRP. They had not only become familiar with him, but had come to respect him highly.

One newspaper reporter sent the following note to the staff of the Public Relations Section at Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters, attached to a copy of his article: "As I write this article with tears in my eyes, I cannot see my computer screen clearly."

It was said at the time that reporters who had never met Rev. Niwano were writing their articles saying to themselves, 'Am I writing this piece wholeheartedly and sincerely?'" Among media reports overseas, noteworthy was the dispatch sent around the world by the Holy See Press Office, which had been in close contact with Rissho Kosei-kai since the Second Vatican Council, and the Vatican Radio account with Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, who had worked in the WCRP and often visited Rissho Kosei-kai.

Some reporters offered such comments as, "The contributions of Nikkyo Niwano to interfaith dialogue will be genuinely appreciated even a hundred years from now" and "He was a leader who was able to exert himself even more on the international stage than in Japan."