Since he was young, Tanabe enjoyed taking care of children. He also looked after his underclassmen and naturally developed an interest in becoming an elementary school teacher. He experienced first hand how much capacity children have to absorb and acquire knowledge and wanted to contribute to this age level. His interest solidified into a definite career goal at the end of his freshmen year in high school. He volunteered to support his school’s graduation ceremony and was in charge of taking pictures of the ceremony. His specific role was capturing the graduating class and their facial expressions. The graduation ceremony took place in the school gymnasium. Tanabe was standing in the middle aisle between dozens of students sitting in the rows of folding chairs. The founder started to give a speech to the graduating class. This speech and message made a lasting impression for Tanabe and it was the moment when the founder shared with conviction that his last task in life is education.
It was a declaration. His [The founder’s] face was firm and serious. The founder’s passion for education reached all of us in that gymnasium. It was as if he was showing and guiding us on a path. At that moment, I remember thinking to myself, this is it. It was the moment when my future was determined. From hoping to become a teacher, my desire changed into a determination that I will become a teacher. Put simply, it was an electrifying moment. Completely forgetting my role to take pictures, I squatted down facing the stage with my eyes fixed on the founder. I listened intently to his speech. It felt like time stopped for that brief moment and it was just me and the founder in that gymnasium. I just knew in that moment that this [career in education] was how I was going to repay my appreciation to the founder.
However, this particular speech created a turning point in his life. Tanabe explains that, even prior to this speech, the founder often conveyed the importance of education and it always inspired him. In his 16 years at the Soka school system, he received various messages and speeches from the founder. When he was attending Soka elementary, the founder introduced ideas of many great thinkers in his speeches to make a statement. When Tanabe was attending Soka University of Japan, the founder shared thoughts of many other world thinkers that he was not familiar with, which motivated him to study even harder. The founder’s speeches were at times straightforward and simple; at other times, it challenged Tanabe’s perspectives. The founder’s words had warmth, but also strictness; his speeches and writings became a guiding principle throughout Tanabe’s life. In particular, the graduation speech was the most meaningful and influential. This graduation ceremony was the start of Tanabe’s journey to challenge himself for personal growth and advancement.
Although he determined to become a teacher, Soka University’s education major was academically rigorous. Moreover, the primary education program within the education major was also extremely competitive. Tanabe’s grades in high school were low at the time and it was nearly impossible to get accepted into the education department with the grades he had. He had to make a choice to become serious with his education. Fortunately, he had friends who were studious so he decided to study with them and learned how to study well. His friends also motivated him to study. He reflects back with appreciation for his friends who were good influences and notes that it would have been impossible to study that hard if he was alone.
While studying, Tanabe also took on leadership roles in various school activities including the school library, ping pong club, and also the student council. He worried whether he was fulfilling his responsibilities in his respective activities or rather creating a burden to his
fellow members by his over-involvement. His biggest fear was judgment by his classmates. He struggled whether he was doing the right thing by taking on so many responsibilities and feared failing or making mistakes. Due to his fears, he struggled and, at one point, felt stagnant. During this difficult time, he read one of the founder’s writings and was encouraged by his words. The founder writes, “The biggest mistake in your youth is not doing anything due to fear of failure.” The founder’s words identified exactly with what Tanabe was experiencing. He felt relieved and reassured that he could make mistakes. From that moment, he decided to stop worrying and do his best.
He challenged himself throughout the next two years in high school. Because he exerted himself and persevered, he highlights that his graduation became that much more meaningful. He says, “I still remember my graduation. I couldn’t stop crying. I made a lot of memories. The founder taught me how to live my life. I don’t think this type of experience is something you can experience in public schools.” Tanabe was successfully accepted to Soka University’s primary education program and experienced first hand the benefits of challenging and forging ahead. There are many other speeches and writings that inspire Tanabe but these two [the one at graduation and the other one he read about fearing mistakes] were the most influential quotes that remain in his heart.