Exchange Student Program The Soka University is presently engaged in academic exchange agreement
with 96 universities in the world. In the Philippines, U.P . had entered
into this agreement with the Soka University in 1988, and De La Sale in
1996. Every year, two exchange students from each university are dispatched.
Aside from that, because this is the only English speaking country in
Asia, many Soka University students came here to study at their own expense.
Furthermore, short term language training program is launched in Kalayan
College where Dr. Abueva, a friend of President Ikeda, serves as principal.
File 016: November 2007
Manabu Takahashi
(Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City)
Hello. My name is Manabu Takahashi.
I majored in Economics at Soka University and graduated last March 2007.
Since April 2007 I have been studying at Capitol University in Cagayan
de Oro City.
Capitol University awarded Ikeda Sensei the “Total Person” Award in February 1992, and also a Doctor’s Degree in Humanities on June 2004.
Before My Departure
with the University President Juarez and
Vice President Juarez
Ever since I entered Soka University, I had been interested in studying
abroad. Yet it was when I was in my junior year that I was finally able
to realize my long-cherished dream – until that time I was leading a very
busy student life with my major and a correspondence course. Other than
this, I also had a part-time job. A senior of mine and one book I happen
to come across, encouraged me to study in the Philippines. One day he gave
me a book entitled “Haha No Mai” written by Ikeda Sensei. And it was precisely
the very moment that I was earnestly wondering to myself where I should
go to study.
From this book I learned about some significant figures in the Philippines
– Madame Laureana Rosales, the founder of Capitol University, and her passion
for education which is also shared with Atty. Juarez and Dr. Juarez, the
University President and Executive Vice President respectively. Moreover,
the life of Mrs. Fukue Daguman, a Japanese member who had paved the way
for Kosen-rufu in Mindanao, deeply impressed me. My senior who gave me
this book had in fact studied at Capitol University. With his strong recommendation
and encouragement, I decided to go to the Philippines to study at Capitol
University.
My Life in the Philippines
with my friends
with my friends
The people in this city are very friendly, lively and kind, which reminds
me that Cagayan de Oro is known as the City of Golden Friendship. In school
I have taken up English subject mainly and feel lucky to have studied in
Capitol University. President Juarez and Vice President Juarez always took
good care of me and often told me, “If you have any problem, call me anytime
you want.” By the way, most of the students of CU are working-students
and most of them drop out of school because of their financial problem.
This fact reminded me of one piece of guidance from Ikeda Sensei saying:
“A university is for those who could not enter even if they wanted to study
there” and pushed me to strive harder on my endeavors. I’m having the greatest
time of my life because of President Juarez and Vice President Juarez,
my professors and my friends.
In Capitol University, the Lotus Sutra Research Group or LSRG, an independent student organization, has been quite active. The name of the organization was given by Ikeda Sensei and more than 30 members participate in group’s regular activities. For example, one of its activities is reading Ikeda Sensei’s books and exchanging opinions and thoughts on them. LSRG also have volunteer-oriented activities in which the students clean the environment of the university and do mangrove planting. And, the other day, to our delight, some of the members of LSRG was able go to Japan for a cultural exchange, moreover, they could visit Soka University and have a great experience.
I have also joined YMD activities like Daimoku-toso, zadankai, Gajokai and mangrove planting. Members in CDO pray much and have pure piety. I say this because they come to Kaikan to attend meetings and buy the monthly publications to study even though the transportation expenses and the price of the publication is not cheap in the least. Mrs. Daguman always takes good care of me like offering meals and giving me some guidance. I can feel Mrs. Daguman’s great passion for world peace and more importantly, I learned from her what a relationship between mentor and disciple ought to be.
In the course of my stay, I have sometimes been perplexed in no small way, about the difference of cultures between the Philippines and Japan and couldn’t help myself comparing them. But I have to live through without giving in to this kind of triviality. However, I suddenly had to return to my country because of my father’s death last July. Though I already applied in the immigration office in Manila in order to return to Japan any time for an emergency and received the permission to do so, I could not return to Japan before the day was over. Then the next day, I had to go to the immigration for re-application. The officer there who treated me unreasonably and by causing unnecessary delays made me unable to not make it on time for my father’s cremation. This really made me felt bitter and disappointed so much so that after coming back to the Philippines, I could not trust the people around me and I felt so isolated that I did not go outside of my apartment. That was one of the hardest times for me in my life. However, the owner’s family of my apartment had been sincerely worried about me. Their warm hearts and consideration made me overcome my disappointment and bitterness gradually. At the same time, I could reconfirm how important education is and made up my mind to be a school teacher. Since then, I came to feel much more kindness from people and their strengths hidden behind their smiles. And now, I firmly believe and dare say that I am so glad of being here in the Philippines.
My Determination
with Youth division & Future division members
My stay here in the Philippines has been six months already, but I will
do my best in order to be a good school teacher in Japan someday. For example,
I will apply to work as a volunteer in some of the elementary schools here
in order to find out what is appealing and attractive in a teacher for
children.
At this point, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and repay
my debt of gratitude to those who supported me: Mrs. Fukue Daguman, SGI
members, Mr. Juarez and Mrs. Juarez, Japanese association member, the owner
of my apartment, my friends, my parents, and Ikeda Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda.
Lastly, I would like to introduce a passage from the Gosho (Opening of the Eyes): “Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbor doubts and abandon their faith.”
