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doubtful
@Chanter 16, You wrote, "Many in the SGI now are not focused on the right things; it's back to the old style of desperately increasing the membership and there are often casualties to this type of 'membership drive'. I'm sorry if you were not treated right." I agree with you until your last sentence. You don't need to apologize to FMWT on behalf of SGI. You do not speak for the organization and FMWT's experience was not at all unusual. In fact, it sounds quite typical.
You also wrote, "I also want to point out that people often expect other Buddhists we meet in the organization to be so perfect, and they are not. And we don't all get along that's for sure. We often feel nothing in common with other members. But we sit down and chant together despite those differences and pray to improve ourselves, chant for a friend to overcome their problem, or chant for world peace. We create unity through the daimoku despite the great diversity amongst us. And that example is what shows us World Peace is possible." I don't agree with this at all. SGI's problems go way beyond being disappointed that these Buddhists are not perfect. The fact that the leaders, the publications, and many of the members push that mentor-disciple bull__, that ridiculous Gandhi, King, Ikeda exhibit, The Human Revolution, Ikeda's ridiculous poetry and honorary doctorates, intolerance, RTE, and crass materialism disguised as Buddhism--all of these things disqualify them as actual Buddhists who are doing anything to achieve something as nebulous and idealistic as "world peace."
You wrote, "It sounds like the district you were in was an opportunity for you to stick up for yourself. 'You' decide if you want to be emcee despite what pressure appears to be there. 'You' decide if you want to visit other districts despite what opposition appears to be there. And in embracing this opportunity, 'you' become stronger and then that negative force, contrast or whatever you want to call it, is turned into something positive.
I don't know if you don't like to chant, or just don't like the people involved, but you can do it on your own, if it feels good. If not, just set it aside for now and there might be a time in the future. But you will likely, again, find yourself in situations that are opportunities to strengthen and believe in yourself. The chanting can keep you on a positive course, that is my experience for many years. There have been so many instances of turning difficult negative, even hopeless situations into something great, even greater than I chanted for.Good luck in your quest to become strong and feel inner peace and happiness." Okay, now you sound patronizing. FMWT has indicated some excellent reasons for having a problem with the organization and the practice. These "opportunities" for personal growth and self-determination sound naive and simplistic, especially since so many members and leaders appear to think the same way. Why should FMWT bother with a district and an organization that seems determined to follow a course that is a bad fit for him(or her)? True, any organization is made up of flawed individuals but when a considerable portion truly believe that they are right and know what is right for you, you don't need to stick around for the same old bull. It's funny. You sound like you have left the organization because of its negativity yet you appear to be encouraging FMWT to stick with it. Please don't take what I have written as a personal attack. FMWT sounds like s/he needs to try something else.
Chanter 16 resides in the world of animality. He [she] would never speak to the strong amongst us the way he spoke to FMWT who is still finding her way out of the SGI quagmire. They prey on the weak. SGI members are base and perverted.
FMWT, you have proven that you do indeed believe in yourself, having left the the orbit of SGI co-dependency
Mark.