The autobiographical novel of Daisaku Ikeda, president of SGI. The year 1976 is of great importance for the development of educational activities promoted by the Soka Gakkai. Driven by Shin'ichi Yamamoto's desire to carry out the mandate of the founder Makiguchi and his master Josei Toda, the organization devotes great care to expanding the Soka educational system: the goal is to create educational offerings ranging from kindergartens to universities, while also trying to meet the needs of the many people active in the working world.
The author also traces the period when Josei Toda decided to take on the work necessary to reorganize and finally publish the work of his teacher Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, The Creative Education.
But the second half of the year also saw a particularly sad moment for President Yamamoto's family. His mother Sachi, who had already been widowed for many years, has a worsening health condition and dies in September. Some very touching moments of her life, which was always lived with cheerfulness and a spirit of defiance despite many difficulties, are recalled in the novel.
1977 is designated by the Soka Gakkai as the Year of Study, and President Yamamoto devotes all his energies to explaining the basic principles of the Buddhist faith in order to instill in all members the spirit of standing up on their own in the face of whatever difficulties they face.
