Shavoy, I have seen examples of "bought doctorates" in another group that actively seeks to separate the unwitting from their wallets - the Mormons. I realize this is off-topic for here, but if you would like to read all about it - and it is QUITE the tale! - see This is the overviewQuote
Pertaining to my query about Mr. Ikeda being a Dr.---you can buy that too! I had heard that one could, but had forgotten. Honorary titles and doctorates, and a Dr. title--there you go! - Shavoy
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TaitenAndProud
We've been reviewing that article "Eternal Fascism: 14 Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt" and comparing it to the Soka Gakkai approach: [www.themodernword.com]
One item that stands out from the above article is the preoccupation with gaining control over others. One way this is accomplished is by dictating to the targets when, how, and with whom they are allowed to express their own sexuality. Like it's any of anyone's business??? They make it so by declaring it "sin" or whatever. Shouldn't that be each person's most private decision to make for himself - and off limits for others' peeping or analyses?? It seems that, as soon as something so private becomes openly regulated, that should set off the warning sirens and flashing red lights.
Here is an excerpt from an article by Spartacus, linked earlier by Hitch (Thank you so much!!! Applause!!!), who was involved in the late 1960s to early 1970s at least. Things changed a lot in 1991, when NSA became SGI in the wake of being excommunicated by NS. However, I joined in 1987, and so I can certainly relate to his descriptions of the crazy, because I saw it for myself! It was his explanation of this dictating-others'-sexuality tactic that really made me aware of it - and how often it is (ab)used within religious groups:Unfortunately, he hasn't finished his "memoirs" - I would have loved to read the rest! But in about 1989, I remember a WD Chapter leader, who was divorced, telling me gleefully that she hadn't had sex in 7 years and she felt like a virgin again! :0 A little too much information, honey?? Squickness!! It was during that early period of my tenure (I divorced my first husband in early 1987) that I went a whole year without sex, though :/ All right - sorry! TMI!!Quote
It wasn’t very long at all after returning from my first pilgrimage to the head temple in 1972 that I was appointed to the position of Texas Chapter Chief (or as someone has described being an NSA leader, “brainwash meat in a guilt trip sandwich”). At the time, I was very proud (it appealed to my young ego) to be one of the very first American youth to hold a chapter level position in Texas. But that pride was just the illusion and delusion of a naïve youth. It would be many more years before I would begin to comprehend how holding a senior leader position was really just a veiled means of deepening control over me by SGcult HQ leadership. Like puppet masters, SGcult senior leaders were controlling my strings, using me for ulterior purposes, while dressing me up with a pre-approved appearance to show off for the audience (membership). I was discouraged from forming my own opinions, taking any actions, or making any decisions without prior guidance and approval from my senior leaders. I was even forbidden from having a girlfriend! I repeat - forbidden from having a girlfriend (or any sexual relations). No sex for singles was an undeclared commandment carefully kept under wraps! Would I have ever embarked on this bizarre journey if I had understood there was a requirement to become sexually inactive in order to become a senior leader? Well no, I certainly would not have, but I was already hooked (addicted). However, by succumbing to the manipulation to surrender my sexual freedom, I had unknowingly given tremendous control of my life to my SGcult leaders (exploiters/abusers). I was being indoctrinated to blindly obey my leaders, to no longer trust my own mind or my ability to make important decisions and judgments for myself, but to instead seek guidance (control) from leaders for everything.
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At the same time I was being torn down as an independent and free spiritual being, I was being molded and shaped into the appearance of being a “perfect leader”. Then, I could be held up as an ideal example of a local SGcult leader to all the wanna-bees. An outer shell of appearance/polite face (tatemae) was slowly being constructed, masking my “honest feelings” (honne). That suppressing and repressing empty shell would continue to engulf me, until eventually, this pretense of false appearance would come crashing down upon me in the form of an agonizing identity crisis. My own self-identity would eventually become completely lost inside of phony appearance. This false facade left me empty and depressed while fallaciously portraying me as the perfect example of a happy and successful Cult SGI leader. [spartacusrebel.weebly.com]
I arrived at the conclusion that it was a cult as well - I kind of knew it all along, but my own needs (and their masterful exploitation of them) kept me clinging.
Hiya back. I can agree, but for myself, I can state with complete confidence that I was so determined to believe that you could "chant for whatever you want" and thereby bend the rules of reality in your favor so that you could get something for nothing, that I would have read the above, tucked it safely away for "later", and continued "devoting myself to kosen rufu"!!!!Quote
Had there been a forum like this one, I would never have suffered so much through so many decades due to plain ignorance, or from a lack of any support from former cult members to assist me in my fight to leave the SGcult forever behind. As a matter of fact, this forum continues to help me cope with the PTSD that I still experience from having been in the SGcult. I have won the battle for the freedom of my mind, but still struggle sometimes in the battle to heal my soul (psych) of cult scars. Many thanks to all for helping me to strenghen my resolve to finish the book project.
Sansho-goma - never heard of it. Got the same message loud and clear, though - one pioneer old Japanese biddy telling me about how the YWD HQ leader when I joined, before she became YWD HQ leader, had slept with all the YMD and would come to activities with hickies...and the gossip about who's sleeping with whom...my Jt. Terr. YWD leader berating me when I (a YWD HQ leader) asked her for guidance about my fiancé moving in with me before we married (we ended up having a rush-rush quickie civil ceremony and then an "official" Buddhist wedding 5 months later). It was most *definitely* there.Quote
SANSHO-GOMA - SGcult term relating sex with the devil, generating fear and loathing of sex for the purpose of cult control over members intimate lives.
Funny how I could never find this so called "buddhist" term in any of the SG cult publications, yet it could be heard spoken of the lips of the SGcult leaders on any given day of the week. At the time, I was too young and naive to see or understand the connection with other religions and their known sex-control (sex is sin) abuses. Probably because my denial of certain realities were made stronger than my good senses for a little while there (back when I so stupidly proclaimed that SG was not a cult).
Oh, gawd, I did the same thing!! Even when we were having activities 6 out of 7 nights per week! Even when I was getting up to go do gongyo (back when it took 1/2 hour) and chant at my district leaders' house at 6 AM before going to work! When their young teen children were trying to get ready for school! It was *insane*!!Quote
(back when I so stupidly proclaimed that SG was not a cult)
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sixtyseven
These silly regressing rituals were performed best at the brainwashing in Trets. The whole concept is about giving you the feeling you are at highschool summer camp. For example in the restaurant the area was divided into vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Each table had a number of persons and the byakuren supervised the tables by a list. On the first evening she had a lot of stress caused by persons had taken the wrong area or the wrong places, so the tablequota was not fullfilled( Imagine, fellows had taken their chairs and removed it to the wrong area!). She complained about the disobedient people and that she had no time to sit down and have dinner for herself. On the second day the same calamity about two empty chairs at my table. The young woman had to look for the two missing members: one was lying in her bed crying all the time, the other woman had phone calls for hours while her cat at home made a pee everywhere. On the third chance I filled the byakurens plate with food and forced a glass of wine into her listfree hand and ordered her to eat and drink cause we are in South France, if you know what that means. Well, she stayed only 3 spoonful and left the wine behind let it rot for the benefit of the table quota.
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Spartacus
Strangely enough, the ONLY people who have read the first four chapters are from this site. I can't get anyone I already know (even my girl) to take so much as a single look at it. Consequently, it has become more difficult for me to generate the motivation and energy to return full force to the project. I just can't thank all the folks from the forum enough for the wonderful support I have received in the past - you guys are the only spark that I can rely upon to reignite the fire in my belly that I need in order to continue the daunting task of putting my 30+ years of SGcult experiences on paper.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Spartacus
Several people who read my blog have read your experience. I was disappointed you had stopped writing. Good to have you back.Quote
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TaitenAndProud
Hey, I was just over at Spartan's site, and where's Chapter 5???
I don't believe he (Spartacus) ever finished it. What's on-line may also be just a preview for a future book (?). I can't really say, because I don't know. One thing I do know, however, is that much of what's in that story rings absolutely true.
- Hitch
Hey Hitch,
Just came across this post from you. Recently, I've been catching up on all the posts made here over the past six months or so (wow - so many new posters). I am planning on going back to work on writing Cult of the Master again, and hope to finish chapter 5 and more in the near future (before spring fever arrives with more distractions and diversions of my time). Will make sure everyone here knows as soon as I get #5 up on my website. Yes, I am hoping to make it into a complete book someday. Thanks for your comment about "absolutely ringing true"! In the meantime, i am thankful to all that have enjoyed the "preview" of my book .
Strangely enough, the ONLY people who have read the first four chapters are from this site. I can't get anyone I already know (even my girl) to take so much as a single look at it. Consequently, it has become more difficult for me to generate the motivation and energy to return full force to the project. I just can't thank all the folks from the forum enough for the wonderful support I have received in the past - you guys are the only spark that I can rely upon to reignite the fire in my belly that I need in order to continue the daunting task of putting my 30+ years of SGcult experiences on paper.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Spartacus
There's a fine line between 'being responsible" and "meddling" - I'm sure you noticed. For me, the "byakuren training" had pathological consequences - I really took it to heart that we are "byakuren" at all times, not just when we're wearing the icky lilac suit. So I was always on the lookout for people needing help or - le horreur - "encouragement." Because, remember, that's how you gain "benefit" - it's all part of the formula. And who doesn't want more benefit???Quote
making sure that 'the members didn't suffer'. It really does install in someone an over-inflated sense of responsibility - 67
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Hitch
"If you wanna be free", join the $GI-USA Cult Org. [www.youtube.com]. (A slight change in advertising strategy - just more cult org. deception.) A cult valentine's day gift, compliments of "the future division" (i.e., cult indoctrinated kids, mis-fortune babies born into the manipulative Japanese International cult).
Doublethink 101 from the Cult Org..
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Spartacus - I hope you can continue to find inspiration to work on your book and story. Just take a look at the above clip; a counterbalance of information and material is sorely needed to give others the tools to see the pseudo-buddhist gakkai cult for what it is --> a self-glorification empire of a Japanese con-man. That's why all of us have come here, too.
My best to you.
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"If you wanna be free, summon up the courage" to break the shackles and leave the manipulative and lying gakkai cult. Then, you'll be truly free, free from all worries. Educate, inform and critically think for yourself, it's the only way out (and to protect yourself, to stay out).
- Hitch