The autobiographical novel of Daisaku Ikeda, president of SGI. The years 1968 and 1969, the events of which are recounted in these two volumes, are decisive for the development of the Soka Gakkai, for they saw its president Shin'ichi Yamamoto take on a very delicate and important task. At the invitation of some Chinese government officials, Shin'ichi takes it upon himself to initiate the process that over the course of several years will lead to the reopening of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. The initiative naturally causes many repercussions, as the Soka Gakkai president's action affects foreign policy issues with respect to which the Japanese government has taken a very cautious stance. But Shin'ichi Yamamoto is certain that the peoples of the two nations desire peace and mutual friendship above all else, and he is ready to face any difficulty to see his great goal realized.
"My friends, look with an open face at the endless chain of calamities and miseries that afflict the world! Do not look away from the vortex of suffering that constitutes reality! We must speak boldly and constantly for the happiness and peace of humanity. We must offer the world wise and insightful words. And we must act. To live is to struggle. This is the mission and the great path of Buddhist practitioners."
