How Ikeda, using Toda, created the idea that it's magic that's responsible for success, not hard work

There is a limit to man's ability, and therefore, luck becomes an important key. The wise man is not always successful and a stupid-looking man, in some cases, enjoys huge success beyond imagination.

uhhh..... O_O

This is a common phenomenon in our complex and delicate world.

"What do you think about today's results? It is a meritorious reward for having terribly suffered a two-year imprisonment on account of the Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra). Talent is not everything. It is divine benefit from the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon is truly miraculous." - from The Human Revolution, Vol. 1, p. 97

The previous 20 or so pages are all about how hard Toda and his staff worked to bring about this result. Yet Ikeda portrays Toda as considering their joint success his own personal reward from the gods. - from The Human Revolution, Vol. 1, p. 97

His eyes glistened and his firm-set lips looked noble.

That's the end of that chapter! Ick!

When talking about stupid-looking people who "got lucky", Ikeda's obviously got himself in mind (as always - typical narcissist). But what has he done that matters? He glommed onto something where he saw an opportunity for self-promotion and advancement, and boy, did he exploit that. Does that count as "hard work"? Ikeda has not shakubukued a single person. How could he?? From working at Toda's company to being surrounded by YMD at every Soka Gakkai function, Ikeda was simply not spending time with anyone other than Soka Gakkai members! This only got worse once he took over the Soka Gakkai presidency. There's no one to shakubuku within a coupla blocks of Ikeda - and Soka Gakkai security staff make sure that doesn't change.

So Ikeda's arranged these "dialogues", forced sit-downs (probably paid for) with B-list-at-best "luminaries" and elderly former celebrities who've long since lost their spotlight (and, likely, marbles), and had his minions write up entire books based on these little tête-à-têtes of vagueries and small talk. Books published typically after the other person has DIED. No one buys them. No one reads them. But, most interesting, not ONE of these people Ikeda has met with has decided to convert to SGI, despite having a one-on-one with the world's most superlative mentoar! Isn't that odd? For as influential and "enlightened" and persuasive as we're led to believe IKEDA is, he can't convince ANYONE to become his disciple.

How droll.