Quote
Yzak
Here are 2 very informative clips against SGI, a very exotic ones

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

comments anybody?!

The second video mentions "SGI kills a man as if he killed himself." I believe that this video is referring to the death of the actor and film director Juzo Itami. Itami died of an apparent suicide in 1997. There's apparently some thought in Japan that this was a murder made to look like a suicide -- and that either the Yakuza, Japanese organized crime, and/or SGI were involved.

I must say, I couldn't find anything that convinced me that SGI was involved with either Itami's death or the Yakuza. Still, if you google something like "SGI and Yakuza," or "Ikeda and Yakuza," you get many articles. SGI seems most often linked to a Tokyo Yakuza group called "Goto-Gumi," also listed as "G-Gumi." Again, who really knows what is true? Articles from www.culthelpinfo.org say that SGI Japan has been involved with election fraud, insurance fraud, bribery...things that you might also expect the Yakuza to take an interest in. Ikeda's having a list of enemies -- doesn't that just sound like something a Mafia don would do, too? But again -- while that doesn't sound like the behavior of a Buddhist leader, it's also not evidence that he has Yakuza ties.

Anyway, I enjoyed Itami's films, "Tampopo," and "A Taxing Woman." Sorry to hear that he died like he did.


---------------------------Beginning of quote, allexperts.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juzo Itami
Juzo Itami (伊丹十三 Itami Jūzō) (15 May 1933 – 20 December 1997) was an actor and a popular modern Japanese film director. Many critics came to regard him as Japan's greatest director since Akira Kurosawa. His movies, all of which he wrote himself, are comic satires on elements of Japanese culture.

Yakuza Attack

In 1992 Itami was attacked, beaten, and slashed by five members of the Goto-gumi, a Tokyo yakuza gang, who were angry at his portrayal of yakuza as bullies and thugs in his film Minbo no Onna. This attack led to a government crackdown on the yakuza. His subsequent stay in a hospital inspired his subsequent film Daibyonin, a grim satire on the Japanese health system.

Death
He apparently committed suicide on 20 December 1997 in Tokyo, by leaping from the roof of the building where his office was located, after a sex scandal he was allegedly involved in was picked up by the press. The suicide letter he reportedly left behind denied any involvement in such an affair. Many consider his death suspicious; some believe it had something to do with a cult religion (Soka Gakkai) he was dealing with, or, as another possible revenge attack by the Yakuza. At the time, the police treated it as a possible homicide. His surviving family has remained silent on the circumstances surrounding his death.

Filmography
# Marutai no Onna (Woman of the Police Protection Program) (1997)# Sūpā no Onna (Supermarket Woman) (1996)# Shizuka na Seikatsu (A Quiet Life) (1995)# Daibyonin (The Last Dance) (1993)# Minbo no Onna (Minbo — or the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion) (1992)# A-ge-man (Tales of a Golden Geisha) (1990)# Marusa no Onna II (A Taxing Woman's Return) (1988)# Marusa no Onna (A Taxing Woman) (1987)# Tampopo (1985)# Ososhiki (The Funeral) (1984)
---------------------------------------------End of Quote------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SGI business connections in Japan. To me, the most interesting item on the list is this:

★Takarazuka Girls' Operetta Troupe(It is said that the stimulant that the Goto Yamaguchi-gumi-affiliated class imported from North Korea is treated, and Soka Gakkai undertakes the money laundering of the earnings. )

There are a number of articles online suggesting that SGI-Japan and the Yakuza are involved in drug trafficking with North Korea. There are also articles saying that there are connections between SGI/Aum Shinryko/the Yakuza. Again, they don't really offer solid evidence -- maybe there's a connection, maybe there's not.

It's not a crime that SGI owns businesses, or that some businesses have a high concentration of SGI members as owners, managers or employees. It's just that I remember donation drives. My fellow members and I were told that even donating a few dollars would be a fabulous cause for world peace -- and our personal financial fortune. SGI NEEDED those few dollars -- even if a few dollars were all we had -- much more than we did! What -- SGI NEEDS the last few dollars of some fast-food restaurant employee when they own 10% Disney stock, Tokyo Disneyland and are affiliated with the Mitsubishi Corporation/Bank of Tokyo?

I'm surprised they didn't try to sell us shares in the Golden Gate Bridge.


--------------------------------Beginning of quote, from [antisgiblog124]--------------------------------------------

Soka Gakkai(SGI)-affiliated Company lists
This time, we will deliver a corporate list of Soka Gakkai(SGI)-affiliated.

★HUSER：Human User Company(80 percent of the employee seems to have been published in the advertisement of the Seikyou newspaper by the Soka society member. The believer also is considerably buying. )

★Sekisui House

★ITO EN, LTD.(The diamond magazine also refers famously in Soka Gakkai-affiliated. Vending machines set up in facilities related to Soka Gakkai are all Ito-En. )

★Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.(Soka Gakkai seems to own, and there to be a lot of people related to Soka Gakkai also in the Yakult lady as for Jingu Stadium on the base ground of the baseball team. However, itself the player of the baseball team is irrelevant. A lot in optimism (former Kintetsu) and Nippon Ham if it is a baseball team. )

★BOOK OFF(It is famous that the relation is deep. hereSoka Gakkai is strong in the antique handling relation. )

★TSUTAYA, CCC, Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.(Invest aggressively in an BOOK OFF. )

★UNIQLO Co., Ltd. (Alias Fast Retailing. Here is also famous, and TSUTAYA and an BOOK OFF, etc. are variously coordinated each other. )

★H.I.S. Co., Ltd.(Actually, become the supporting company of the performance of WAHAHA-Hompo of Soka Gakkai-affiliated) HIS is maxim for the complaint of HIS , saying that yakuza tone and "It is not had a mind to be going to change correspondence completely in the future".

★Club Tourism(Travel agency: The seventh place finding employment Soka University ahead of 2004. The mark of the company is near Soka Gakkai's, and is also doubtful. )

★Kinki Nippon Tourist Co.,Ltd., Kintetsu International Express Inc.(the third place finding employment Soka University ahead of 2004)

★Watami Ltd. that manages nursing, Ayacan'yume Educational Institution, Ayacan Junior High School, Ayacan High School, and Ayacan Global High School, and T.G.I.Friday 's, and Watamiecoroga, Watamifarm, Watami of Watami, (the fifth place finding employment Soka University ahead of 2004)

★Monte Rosa Ltd. where plain wood shop and Uotami, etc. are managed(The industrial strike is famously in the roughness of the person use. The financial clique of reason plain wood Yoshikazu Shi of relative Komeito of the wife of the Ikeda masterpiece had managed it. )

★"Yourou no Taki" of tavern(It is famous for a long time as Soka society member's habitue's drinking house. )

★Tokyo Disneyland (Oriental Land) Soka Gakkai owns stock 10% of Disney. (former representative director Japan of Koji Hoshino Walt Disney company and others believer person of six Soka University alumnus terms ..director 2?3..)

★Doutor Coffee(The Soka society member recognizes it officially. )

★Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd.

★AOYAMA TRADING co., ltd. (To tell the truth, the chairman of 100 yen PLAZA who united it with Aoyama Trading. Daiso is the same as the chairman of Aoyama Trading. )

★Theatrical company named WAHAHA-Hompo(Masami Hisamoto in the Soka Gakkai public entertainments part and Rie's Shibata both men belong, and representative's writer Hajime is Soka Gakkai. )

★Takarazuka Girls' Operetta Troupe(It is said that the stimulant that the Goto Yamaguchi-gumi-affiliated class imported from North Korea is treated, and Soka Gakkai undertakes the money laundering of the earnings. )

★K1 (It backs up in the capital. It supports it like the purchase of the admission ticket etc. as the Soka society member brings it together. )

★Hokke Club(Hotel of national chain. Soka Gakkai operating directly?)

★Asics(All president's aunts of the part seem to be also so in the Soka society member. )

★Pasona(President's southern part Yasuyuki is a Soka society member in Barbary. Representative former Maehara's of the Democratic Party wife also was working. ) It is already famous in Sofmap and personal computer atelier (antique relation) industries as Soka Gakkai-affiliated.

★Big Camera(Sofmap is supported. )

★Yamada Denki(Not only the president but also all management is occupied by the Soka society member. When electing it, the poster of Komeito (Soka Gakkai party) is pasted, and a lot of Soka society members are had as for the employee. )

★Esthetics de MYLORD(The variety show got into the news. )

★Nitori (Home..fashion..daily necessaries..Soka University..find employment..person..a lot of.)

★Bikkuri Donkey

★TenkaIppin(ramen shop)

★Toho Pharmaceutical and Tomo Tscmirai G loop(There are a lot of those at Soka University who find employment. It creates and related companies seem to like Soka Gakkai. )

★Confectionery of Grape of Tokyo and 'silver'(Grapstorn Ltd.)

★SHINRYO CORPORATION

★Wagon Road(Family restaurant. Additionally, the restaurant of various genres is managed in the group. )

★Japanese Judas Tree Woods (Chinese restaurant. Especially, the Japanese judas tree woods in Shinanomachi in the town of Soka Gakkai is Mecca in which they gather. )

★Eye hop(family restaurant) [Note: Do they mean "IHOP?"]

★Namis of Health Food SF

★Healthy Family's Shop

★Sushi "Warehouse (saddle)" chain that turns(It is abundant in Hachioji etc.)

★HamaSushi

★Koenji ring 7 along"Souka"

★Studio Alice(photograph shop)

★Aoyama of Coffee(It is taught to the Soka society member, "Here is a seat where Mr.Ms. Ikeda sat" etc. by word of mouth. )

★Hakubundou Bookstore

★AVEX

★Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi(The main financing bank of Soka Gakkai is Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, and the character is Mickey. )
It gives preferential treatment to those who decide Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industires (Gendai Weekly: aim of Soka Gakkai and Mitsubishi group "High level conference") informally more than general man.

★Sotec

★Anabuki Construction Company

Complete Soka enterprise as follows:

★Japanese Books Transportation. (11.3 billion yen in annual turnover like transportation and move etc. of Seikyou newspaper etc.)

★Nitiei (It is 1.1 billion yen in the annual turnover in the subsidiary company of the Japanese books transportation. )

★Shinano Facilities Management (3.6 billion yen in annual turnover like management of Soka Gakkai hall etc.)

★Nikkou Guard Security (It is 1.6 billion ..subject.. yen in the annual turnover as for the guard of the Soka Gakkai hall. )

★Creation Company (The Soka Gakkai relation of 3.6 billion yen in the annual turnover : by about 80%.)

★Glory Construction (2.9 billion yen in the annual turnover around building and the repair of Soka Gakkai facilities. )

★Shinano Project (5.9 billion yen in annual turnover such as video production and goods of Soka Gakkai event)

★East and West Philosophy Study(The store develops centering on Shinanomachi, and 9.2 billion yen in the annual turnover.)

★Shio Publisher (4.5 billion yen in annual turnover like writing of monthly "Shio" and Ikeda etc.)

★The Third Civilization Company (One billion yen in annual turnover like publication related to Soka Gakkai etc.)

★Otori Study (Goods is delivered to the university library, and 3.8 billion yen in the annual turnover. )

★TOKO (1.9 billion yen in annual turnover like employment ad in Seikyou newspaper etc.)

★Fuji White Lotus Company (The majority of the customer are 1.9 billion yen in the annual turnover in the Soka society member. )

---------------------------------End of Quote---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ironically, the Value Creation Society, has contributed to the downfall of many hundreds of thousands of individuals, even if these individuals won't or can't admit it to themselves. I was a member for over twenty years and although I succeeded in my quest to become a doctor, were it not for the SGI activities and the leaders constant exhortations to do more activities, I might have been an interventional cardiologist or cardiac surgeon rather than a general practitioner. [Nichijew/quote]


I, too, managed to go to graduate school and to develop a career in spite of the fact that SGI was not supportive of education and constantly demanded that I attend all of SGI's activities and just focus on my practice. And then after my education was finished I attributed it to SGI! I did not see how ridiculous that was. I thought that SGI had led me in the right direction and was responsible for me working in the field that I am in. I thought that chanting had pulled me through all of the difficult times while in school. Getting an education depends on the person and his environment, such as a motivation to work in a certain field, support from family, opportunity, etc. I did not get an education because of SGI, it was in spite of it. But SGI leads us to believe that the reason anything good happens to us is because of the organization. Members re-frame life experiences to fit with SGI's dogma.

SGI also makes people feel guilty if things happen that aren't good. It is attributed to their practice not being right, not following guidance, something that was done in the past, etc.

If I had not been a member of SGI, I may have gone farther in my career, just as Nichijew felt like he may have been a interventional cardiologist or a cardiac surgeon if it were not for SGI activities. It's too bad I realized all of this after 30 years in my field. I do not have regrets, however, about being a SGI member. Some great things in my life happened because of SGI. I would never have crossed paths with my husband if I hadn't been doing SGI activities, and my children would not have been born!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2009 01:44PM by quiet one.

I'm reminded of the woman who was speaking at that big meeting -- the one who gave SGI $100,000 from the sale of her house. She wanted to go to grad school, but had no money. She was convinced that if she chanted enough, she would get some scholarship -- or find some other way to get that degree.

I wonder if she ever did go to graduate school. If she did win a scholarship -- then that means that some other deserving student did not. How fair is that? This woman HAD the money to put herself through her graduate program and she threw it away! Why should she get to take a scholarship away from some other student who never had that kind of money, or choice? SGI's greed can even affect people who are not members.

I'm also thinking of the toll SGI activities take on members' families. I remember hearing one young woman, the daughter of very dedicated members, complain. When she was growing up, her parents never had the time to drive her to friends' houses -- or any activities that she was interested in (other than SGI activities). Of course the parents had all the time in the world to drive other members to meetings and go out to visit anyone who expressed even the slightest interest in this Buddhism. I've also seen a lot of leaders with rebellious kids who were always in trouble. SGI members would say that the parents were trying to make a good cause, so as a result, they were stirring up some karma. The parents were told that doing more SGI activities would improve the family's karma!

Even then, I'd think, "Getting in trouble is probably the only way that these kids can get their parents to pay attention to them."

@ Nichijew
Could you research the exact source (date an so forth), were that Makiguchi quote was made? Could be useful

Dear Rothaus:

From:"The Instruction Manual Summarizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness." I have been utilizing this quote for almost a year in numerous discussions and debates and it's authenticity has never been challenged. The best the SGI members can come up with is some argument centering around, "he said this but meant that." They use this very same lame argument to explain their distorted version of Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism [please see their footnotes and backgrounds in their WND or writings of Nichiren Daishonin and their study manuals and materials, in general].

I'm a former SGI member who's been enjoying the lively discussion here in this forum. I am what the SGI refers to as a "fortune baby" (a child born into the religion) and was a very active member for 30-plus years. I've held several (low-rung) leadership positions, attended many of the big conventions in the 80's, and have been to more meetings than I care to think of (many of them at my own place).

The beginning of the end happened several years ago for me. I won't bore you with details, but an incident proved to me that increasing membership numbers were more important to the SGI than fostering those members. Up until that happened, I would've defended the SGI had anyone said anything negative about them. This incident really made me question my faith and I eventually concluded that it wasn't the practice of Buddhism that I had a problem with but rather the SGI organization. This put everything in a different light and I began realizing things I had been blind to, culminating in arguments with my local leaders whenever they would talk about shakubuku goals. I hated all the importance that was placed on numbers.

The final thing that sent me over the top was the whole mentor and disciple thing. Back in the 70's and 80's, the concept of mentor and disciple was just one of many concepts that we studied. Now, it is the be-all end-all of Buddhism as far as the SGI is concerned. What really gets me is that SGI's problem with Nikken was that he (allegedly) claimed that you must go through him to gain enlightenment. Fast-forward to 2009 and you'll find that SGI's message is the same, only with Ikeda in Nikken's place. In the World Tribune (which I've come to realize is pure propaganda) they shove it down your throat that Ikeda is your mentor, and when you flip the page, Ikeda gives guidance about how you cannot attain enlightenment unless you practice with "the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple." So what conclusion are we supposed to draw there?

I haven't attended a meeting in 3 months and I miss nothing about them. I still chant, but now I look at it as a form of meditation that helps me cleanse/clear my mind - not something to do when I want something. It angers me that the SGI has taken the
teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and basically made a circus out of them (literally, sometimes, with all the human pyramid-building and dancing around in matching outfits). Anyway, sorry for the long post but I thought I'd just share in case there's more people on the fence about joining the SGI.

Dear All:

From my Blog:


Very Tearful Seeing These Videos

If the SGI succeeds Buddhism will be lost.


Soka Spirit Youth Brainwashing Conference and the S[l]ickness of SGI

[www.truveo.com]

Session 1: Oneness of Mentor and Disciple. With the Great Destroyer of USA Buddhism, Danny Nagashima, "THE BUDDHISM OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE", "THE ESSENCE OF BRAINWASHI....I Mean BUDDHISM

"ITS TRAINING, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT" "DANNY WAS HERE AND I ADMIRE HOW HE CLARIFIES EVERYTHING"

The sickness has penetrated deeply.


Ever More Sickening SGI Child Brainwashing Videos

[www.youtube.com]

Be Brave (English Version): Japan's Soka Gakkai Primary Division Song & Dance Steps


Still More Korean SGI Youth Brainwashing Activities

[www.truveo.com]


Soka Gakkai Video Reminiscent of the Music and Propaganda of Adolph Hitler: A Must See Video

[www.truveo.com]

Makes me sick to my stomach!


Another Destructive Cult Video for Brainwashing our Youth, "Rock the Era" Video

[www.truveo.com]

"We're bringing Sensei Back to America." Sick brainwashed ikedabots.

Let's chant Namu Myoho renge kyo and study the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin to see how we can bring down this destructive cult.


Soka Gakkai Cult Brainwashes our Youth

[www.truveo.com]

# 1 [of the Eight Characteristics of a Leader]... You guessed it, "Oneness of Mentor and Disciple". This is a video entitled the Junior High School Conference, The Eight Characteristics of a Leader. Those who produced this video will rot in hell and should be stopped. Short of banning this dangerous destructive Soka Gakkai cult, you should by all means withhold your donations. Were it up to me, I would outlaw this cult and place their leaders in prison.

Hi SGBye

Welcome to the club then. Wonder how many more are just reading facing problmes in SGI. I think guys we should sort of refocus on that a littel bit . I think for anyone leaving any religious group is a hard time
Would be good to hear the strategies you guys used to get back to normal again. In my opinion its grate that you still can practise
Gassho
Rothaus

Quote
SGBye

The final thing that sent me over the top was the whole mentor and disciple thing. Back in the 70's and 80's, the concept of mentor and disciple was just one of many concepts that we studied. Now, it is the be-all end-all of Buddhism as far as the SGI is concerned. What really gets me is that SGI's problem with Nikken was that he (allegedly) claimed that you must go through him to gain enlightenment. Fast-forward to 2009 and you'll find that SGI's message is the same, only with Ikeda in Nikken's place. In the World Tribune (which I've come to realize is pure propaganda) they shove it down your throat that Ikeda is your mentor, and when you flip the page, Ikeda gives guidance about how you cannot attain enlightenment unless you practice with "the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple." So what conclusion are we supposed to draw there?

In the early days, I enjoyed reading President Ikeda's writings, but I was never a fanatic, not even close to one. I couldn't understand why people were so crazy about him. But it didn't matter, because the focus of the practice was on chanting and the Gohonzon. President Ikeda's role was that of the leader of the organization, not a deity. But I felt very uncomfortable when a few years ago the mentor-disciple concept became so all-important, and we were all expected to accept Ikeda as our mentor. I couldn't. Actually, I chanted about it quite a bit. I chanted to figure things out, and if I needed to no longer be with SGI I wanted that to be obvious to me. A couple of years ago I went to a big meeting where Danny Nagashima spoke. He said that the ONLY way to happiness was through the mentor-disciple relationship. Then a few weeks later I read the same thing in the World Tribune, that Ikeda must be accepted as your mentor in order to be happy. The article was written by Ikeda himself (supposedly). I agree with SGBye that Ikeda is doing exactly what SGI alleges that Nikken did.

NichiJew, I enjoyed watching the videos. I found especially interesting the one on Tina Turner and Larry King. I have heard that she is now with Nichiren Shoshu, not SGI. Does anyone know if this is true? Just wondering. I also found the video on "Rock the Era" interesting. What everyone was doing on that video seemed very odd to me. Something that seemed normal to me for so long now seems very odd!