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The Anticult
Saw an interesting documentary on pre-war and wartime Japan.
It shows where Ikeda's perverse and extremist beliefs come from.
The absolute key to understanding this cult, lies with understanding Japan, its history and its customs. I believe a whole book/thesis could be written on this very subject.
We've spoken here not long ago in regards to my question about the people in Japan who are very suspicious and critical of the Gakkai, not wanting any part of it, culture or no. That still fascinates me.
SPOT ON, Hitch! After studying Japanese Shotokan karate for nine years, I developed a new perspective on the culture. Martial art organizations and religious organization are all run in the same manner - top down. A "master" is established (either by appointment or self-appointment) by the organization. The master (or dojo owner) requires total loyalty and obeidience. "All other schools (sects) are inferior." "You must obey without question." "Bow down before the Master's picture." If you preservere through the break-downs and beatings, "proving" you are a "good" student, you may be promoted up through the ranks, that is if you can come up with the sky-high testing fees that fill the master's pockets. Doesn't that sound a bit familiar?
I lived in Japan in 2000-2001. I was employed there under a work visa as a musician/entertainer. At first, I would tell the native folks I met that I was an SGI member. But after all the negative reactions I encountered, I decided it was better to keep that info to myself to avoid the sour faces. The SGI is not popular at all in Japan. To my surprise. it was just the opposite - the SGI is reviled and hated. They are like the Moonies over there.
Looking back, I think that reading the epic novel
Shogun was most revealing about Japanese history and culture. Samurai war lords lusted for the position of Shogun (king) with total power and control over the country. Military thought and culture permeated every aspect of daily life (don't bow low enough before a samurai and get your peasant head choped off). Secretive plotting and planning to gain more power is the norm. In a chess game of control, the players never reveal their true face. Everything and everybody becomes a pawn to be used to win the power-gain game. No doubt, Ikeda wants (wanted) to become Shogun with his SGcult acting in the role of the ruling regime. You can bet there's plenty of potential successors plotting and planning to gain control of the SG cult and it's billions of dollars, as it won't be long before Cult Daddy is officially gone.
Spartacus