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BeingAdagio
@doubtful, "charisma" is a trait shared by both con artists and genuinely great, truly wise individuals. According to dictionary.com, the word "charisma" (as used above) is defined as, "a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people." It's neither positive nor negative in itself -- what matters is how it's used. I am not sure I believe that passing a religion on to others in a distorted, self-serving manner is good for either the religion or its adherents, though I realize that point is open to debate.
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About Ikeda's charisma:
From the "Cults, Sects and New Religious Movements" Board, "Ole Nydahl and Diamond Way Buddhism" (Thanks, Corboy!)
[
forum.culteducation.com]
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The mark of a good teacher is when we walk out, we dont so much remember the teacher's own personality, we remember what was taught and are deeply curious about where it applies to us and how we perceive and behave with others. 

If a teacher's stories, charisma or powerful personality persist as vivid after images, thats when mere charmisma is lingering in us as an intoxicant and the Bodhisattva vows warn us to beware of intoxicants. 


Fame and charisma and mob mentality, force of personality become intoxicants when these linger in mind more than the Dharma teaching the famous person was supposed to be there to teach. 

The best teachers, like members of a choir, vanish into the singing and what remains is the teaching or the music, not the personality of any one singer.
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Think of your favorite schoolteacher. You liked, even loved him or her. You valued his or her kindness, insight, ability to listen, enthusiasm and/or knowledge of the subject. This person helped you develop confidence, or interest in the subject, learn new skills...and/or succeed at something that you thought you couldn't do.
It's important to appreciate and value what a good teacher did for you -- but does that teacher expect you to devote the rest of your life to him, or her? To follow what he or she says, even after you are grown and out of school? To hang around them constantly, telling them how wonderful they are?
I had a really great eleventh-grade English teacher. However, I don't think she ever wanted or expected me to devote the rest of my life to following her. I think her goal was that I learn to write clearly and correctly, and critically evaluate what I read -- so that I could achieve my OWN goals for further education and a career.
That's the exact opposite of Ikeda's mentor-disciple teaching. The disciple does not get to take the teaching, and become independent; disciples always follow the mentor and always "owe" the mentor. There is no graduation.
Nichiren Daishonin himself said, "Follow the law and not the person."
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2010 03:25AM by tsukimoto.