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.

45

Afterword

It has been several years since Founder Niwano entered nirvana. Yet his last months still come to mind from time to time.

The founder entered the hospital in September of 1998, when he was found to have contracted pneumonia. He was already over ninety years old. The members of Rissho Kosei-kai prayed for his recovery by chanting the Lotus Sutra in great earnest.

One day late that autumn I visited him in the hospital. His condition seemed to be good, and he even half raised himself up in the bed. I reported briefly to him how his colleagues in various international activities were faring, and about a few other things. He listened attentively, nodding. Then he conveyed to me his warm regards for each of those colleagues and for all his fellow Rissho Kosei-kai members. Although his voice was not very strong, his powerful spirit permeated my mind and heart.

I tried not to stay too long. As I was leaving, he said something quite unexpected: "Thank you very much for coming to see me even though I know you are busy." He spoke quite distinctly, and I was surprised because such formal politeness is usually reserved for persons who are not so close. He even said this putting his palms together in the gassho gesture. Tears suddenly filled my eyes.

On October 28, 1975, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano spoke at the international officers' meeting of the World Conference of Religions for Peace held at the nondenominational Church Center for the United Nations in New York, used by religious groups and NGOs concerned with UN issues. The author sat beside him as his interpreter.

The following summer, I attended the Centenary World Congress of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), held in Vancouver, Canada. After returning to Tokyo, I again visited Rev. Niwano--this time with Rissho Kosei-kai's then-chairman Rev. Norio Sakai--and together we reported about the congress. By then, his declining health already did not permit him to speak. But his eyes reflected his serious interest and he appeared attentive to our every word. We could sense his passionate wish for world peace.

After our report, he shook hands with each of us in turn, conveying his feelings with a still powerful handshake.

Earlier that year he had appeared before the members in the Great Sacred Hall on three occasions--New Year's Day, the Setsubun Festival on February 3, the eve of the last day of winter according to the lunar calendar, and the anniversary of Rissho Kosei-kai's founding on March 5. Before each occasion, he would practice for days so that, for example, he would be able to toss the traditional demon-chasing beans on Setsubun and to hold up the ceremonial bouquet in both arms on the anniversary day. Even from his sickbed, he always thought of the members and tried to appear the best he could before them.

I hesitate to write about myself. Yet I dare to mention here his words to me on leaving the hospital room mentioned above simply because they so well illustrate his warm, thoughtful consideration for all the members in their everyday activities. His forceful handshake demonstrated his expectation that they would continue to strive to practice the Dharma in their daily lives.

Even after Founder Niwano had passed away, I have often met with him in my dreams. In those dreams he has been preaching the Dharma to our members and forever working actively with foreign colleagues on behalf of interreligious cooperation. Where is he? Awestruck, I find myself running to assist him.

When I awake from such a dream, I realize that at such times the founder always seems especially vigorous, and those of us around him are unaware of his passing. What occurs to me then is how the spirit of Founder Niwano is forever with all the members of Rissho Kosei-kai, and even with all of the world's people.

One hopes that many can share in such a dream.
Gassho.

This series of articles was originally published in Japanese in 2000 under the title Kaiso Zuimonki: Egao no Ushirosugata.