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sleepy skunk
Thanks for the information. I'm also curious if there's a reason they'd give out more than one and in different colors, is that of any significance like to show who's new or "seeking spirit" or any other kind of status or levels I've heard of like in your post? I remember now that one was for the scroll, from the senior leader, but there was another from the youth leader. Mostly everything was given to me not purchased, talk about kissing someone's butt!
Kind of hard to say with absolute certainty, because it can be hit or miss in terms of meaning. It depends on the people doing it. It could have little to no meaning, or it could also represent, as you pointed out, the high hopes they may be pinning on you (usually as manifested by your sincerity, "seeking spirit" or eagerness & willingness to transform into an unthinking Ikeda-bot).
The colors may or may not represent anything, depending on the group or circumstances that they are giving it to you under. For example, if it's a lavender color and you are a YWD in the "byakuren" group, it has meaning (you are now officially "officially" part of the group "group"). If it's the tri-colored Gakkai Cult Org. colors, then the meaning is generic, etc..
It can definitely be a kind of peer group status symbol within certain circles of the cult org., reminiscent of Jr. High / High School. If your "leader" has one, or your peers, but you don't, then it's something to kind of strive for (again, the manipulative, forced "sincerity" thing), because you'll feel left out.
As alluded to by Nichijew, behind closed doors the top leadership pines for various degrees of Dear Leader relics. When I was in, so-called third degree / class relics were common. Salaried and top non-salaried "leaders" would often go ga-ga over items / gifts directly from Sensei (something signed, a handwritten message, or something stamped with his emblem, etc.). I've also seen Ikeda calligraphy, stamped emblem furoshiki being given to selected people (I even got a couple during my time in the YMD.).
The gakkai cult org. has since gone on steroids and graduated to second degree / class relics . . . . (again, see below) . . . .
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Nichijew
A most prized possession is a swatch of mentor's necktie. I kid you not.
Nichijew
Dear Leader personal items are now officially displayed at hardcore gakkai cult org. sites like FNCC and the new cult HQ. building in Shinanomachi (Cousin Rufus bicycles, Cousin Rufus travel-suitcases, respectively).
I'm sure it's just a matter of time, once The Dear Leader graduates to immortality, before the move to first degree relics happens (if they are not already doing it, and I suspect they are, behind closed doors). Nichiren Shoshu has their own, along with fantastic tall tales to accompany (as I'm sure you know).
This is an interesting fact that Fioera didn't address, but should have because it would have been a perfect fit, for the Warwick dissertation (Gakkai Cult Org. in Italy and its Catholic tradition parallels).
- Hitch