Quote
tsukimotoQuote
Shavoy
And that Mr. Williams will be thrown under the bus under the protection of "It's Fiction!"...It's been said on this thread more than once already, but Mr. W. was probably kicked to the side and out the door because he was grabbing more than his share of the Top Dog Pie.
.
Some people say that GW's real crime was becoming more popular than Ikeda.
Many pages back, we had a poster, Commongirl, who claimed that she and her family knew George Williams -- and that he was having an affair with the Young Women's Division leader, that he treated the Women's Division members like his personal servants, and that he didn't think that the non-Japanese members were truly capable of understanding Buddhism. Maybe she's right, maybe she's not. I have no way of knowing.
My feeling though, is that if Williams was guilty of wrongdoing -- it should have been brought out at the time. Let him tell his side of things. If people were wronged by him -- let them tell their story. It's cowardly to attack him now. He's elderly, ill, I believe he has dementia. He can no longer defend himself. It's hardly a coincidence that Ikeda has just now put out the new volume of Human Revolution, and tossed old George under the bus.
Quote
rialcnisQuote
tsukimotoQuote
Shavoy
And that Mr. Williams will be thrown under the bus under the protection of "It's Fiction!"...It's been said on this thread more than once already, but Mr. W. was probably kicked to the side and out the door because he was grabbing more than his share of the Top Dog Pie.
.
Some people say that GW's real crime was becoming more popular than Ikeda.
Many pages back, we had a poster, Commongirl, who claimed that she and her family knew George Williams -- and that he was having an affair with the Young Women's Division leader, that he treated the Women's Division members like his personal servants, and that he didn't think that the non-Japanese members were truly capable of understanding Buddhism. Maybe she's right, maybe she's not. I have no way of knowing.
My feeling though, is that if Williams was guilty of wrongdoing -- it should have been brought out at the time. Let him tell his side of things. If people were wronged by him -- let them tell their story. It's cowardly to attack him now. He's elderly, ill, I believe he has dementia. He can no longer defend himself. It's hardly a coincidence that Ikeda has just now put out the new volume of Human Revolution, and tossed old George under the bus.
Both Mr. Williams and Mrs Williams deny these charges. They think it's crazy. After making lists of the various things being said currently in the SGI against GMW I checked carefully and found that the charges are all inferences, rumors and lies, including the supposed affair and so called embezzlement. I do know who started the affair rumor though.. Some of you may have seen the videos I made on the subject my youtube channel is theremonstration.
GMW was guilty of being naive and trusting. he did know that the USA was much different from Japan and he became an American and proud of it. It was egoed-out employees at the Culture center and Ikeda that demonized him. Ikeda manipulated it all. Since at least 1974 he was undermined by Ikeda.
In his advanced years he is blissfully naive of the charges agaisnt him. He says it is "hard to believe." when informed of the accusations.
Here is my youtube channel:
[www.youtube.com]
I will also have more information on my website
www.saddharmapundarika.com
David
Quote
ShavoyQuote
rialcnisQuote
tsukimotoQuote
Shavoy
And that Mr. Williams will be thrown under the bus under the protection of "It's Fiction!"...It's been said on this thread more than once already, but Mr. W. was probably kicked to the side and out the door because he was grabbing more than his share of the Top Dog Pie.
.
Some people say that GW's real crime was becoming more popular than Ikeda.
Many pages back, we had a poster, Commongirl, who claimed that she and her family knew George Williams -- and that he was having an affair with the Young Women's Division leader, that he treated the Women's Division members like his personal servants, and that he didn't think that the non-Japanese members were truly capable of understanding Buddhism. Maybe she's right, maybe she's not. I have no way of knowing.
My feeling though, is that if Williams was guilty of wrongdoing -- it should have been brought out at the time. Let him tell his side of things. If people were wronged by him -- let them tell their story. It's cowardly to attack him now. He's elderly, ill, I believe he has dementia. He can no longer defend himself. It's hardly a coincidence that Ikeda has just now put out the new volume of Human Revolution, and tossed old George under the bus.
Both Mr. Williams and Mrs Williams deny these charges. They think it's crazy. After making lists of the various things being said currently in the SGI against GMW I checked carefully and found that the charges are all inferences, rumors and lies, including the supposed affair and so called embezzlement. I do know who started the affair rumor though.. Some of you may have seen the videos I made on the subject my youtube channel is theremonstration.
GMW was guilty of being naive and trusting. he did know that the USA was much different from Japan and he became an American and proud of it. It was egoed-out employees at the Culture center and Ikeda that demonized him. Ikeda manipulated it all. Since at least 1974 he was undermined by Ikeda.
In his advanced years he is blissfully naive of the charges agaisnt him. He says it is "hard to believe." when informed of the accusations.
Here is my youtube channel:
[www.youtube.com]
I will also have more information on my website
www.saddharmapundarika.com
David
I checked out the youtube footage of Mr. Williams...seeing him with his head of white hair, and with a good spirit...(unfortunately this computer doesn't allow for audio, so I can only go on his expressions, it seems like he's in good spirits).
I and many fellow members found him to be quite the dynamo back in his day. He certainly inspired my practice. He was very popular with the American members and that popularity could not be sustained because it was a major threat to P.I. Ain't room enough in this town for two sheriffs, ya know........
Quote
bobze39
There is another aspect of SGI, that has been discussed here before. Did you ever have a feeling, when you came to SGI meetings, that you are in a looney bin and surrounded by a bunch of loonies?
It's easier to convince people who are in a mentally vulnerable state to work for free and to give donations. So, SGI targets people, who are alone, depressed, in a mentally vulnerable state and takes advantage of them.
Quote
tsukimotoQuote
bobze39
There is another aspect of SGI, that has been discussed here before. Did you ever have a feeling, when you came to SGI meetings, that you are in a looney bin and surrounded by a bunch of loonies?
It's easier to convince people who are in a mentally vulnerable state to work for free and to give donations. So, SGI targets people, who are alone, depressed, in a mentally vulnerable state and takes advantage of them.
Bob, this was my experience too....joining SGI at a very low point in my life. From what I've read recently, this is a very common thing. People are much more likely to join cults when they are in a crisis, depressed, going through some kind of change, feeling isolated.
And yes, I've been in group therapy, and SGI group meetings did feel similar to me. Both featured a lot of intense sharing about trying to overcome your struggles in life. There's also the custom of getting "guidance." The difference is that a therapist actually has to have some training and demonstrate that they are qualified before they start advising people. And again, cults often encourage people to "confess" and share deeply personal things. A leader can manipulate you better if they know your weaknesses, problems, fears, what you feel guilty about.
After the SGI/priesthood split, and the increased emphasis on Mentor/Disciple -- I began to feel like I was in the loony bin in a different way. I began thinking, "This makes no sense -- and yet the other members really seem to be buying it! Are they crazy -- or am I?"
Quote
quiet oneQuote
tsukimotoQuote
bobze39
There is another aspect of SGI, that has been discussed here before. Did you ever have a feeling, when you came to SGI meetings, that you are in a looney bin and surrounded by a bunch of loonies?
It's easier to convince people who are in a mentally vulnerable state to work for free and to give donations. So, SGI targets people, who are alone, depressed, in a mentally vulnerable state and takes advantage of them.
Bob, this was my experience too....joining SGI at a very low point in my life. From what I've read recently, this is a very common thing. People are much more likely to join cults when they are in a crisis, depressed, going through some kind of change, feeling isolated.
And yes, I've been in group therapy, and SGI group meetings did feel similar to me. Both featured a lot of intense sharing about trying to overcome your struggles in life. There's also the custom of getting "guidance." The difference is that a therapist actually has to have some training and demonstrate that they are qualified before they start advising people. And again, cults often encourage people to "confess" and share deeply personal things. A leader can manipulate you better if they know your weaknesses, problems, fears, what you feel guilty about.
After the SGI/priesthood split, and the increased emphasis on Mentor/Disciple -- I began to feel like I was in the loony bin in a different way. I began thinking, "This makes no sense -- and yet the other members really seem to be buying it! Are they crazy -- or am I?"
tsukimoto, I never questioned whether it was me or them who was crazy. I KNEW it was them!!!!
I think that SGI does not necessarily target people who are in a low period of their life. It welcomes EVERYONE. Those who join, however, are generally in a low period--depressed, lonely, or vulnerable, etc. etc. Those who are NOT in a low period may say "no thanks". It's not always that way, but it seems that it often is. When we did"shakabuku", we invited ANYONE who would come to a meeting!
I agree that SGI is trying to rid itself of those who are able to think for themselves. SGI only wants those who will wholeheartedly buy into the MD nonsense. It very difficult for critical thinkers to remain in the organization.
Quote
ShavoyQuote
quiet oneQuote
tsukimotoQuote
bobze39
There is another aspect of SGI, that has been discussed here before. Did you ever have a feeling, when you came to SGI meetings, that you are in a looney bin and surrounded by a bunch of loonies?
It's easier to convince people who are in a mentally vulnerable state to work for free and to give donations. So, SGI targets people, who are alone, depressed, in a mentally vulnerable state and takes advantage of them.
Bob, this was my experience too....joining SGI at a very low point in my life. From what I've read recently, this is a very common thing. People are much more likely to join cults when they are in a crisis, depressed, going through some kind of change, feeling isolated.
And yes, I've been in group therapy, and SGI group meetings did feel similar to me. Both featured a lot of intense sharing about trying to overcome your struggles in life. There's also the custom of getting "guidance." The difference is that a therapist actually has to have some training and demonstrate that they are qualified before they start advising people. And again, cults often encourage people to "confess" and share deeply personal things. A leader can manipulate you better if they know your weaknesses, problems, fears, what you feel guilty about.
After the SGI/priesthood split, and the increased emphasis on Mentor/Disciple -- I began to feel like I was in the loony bin in a different way. I began thinking, "This makes no sense -- and yet the other members really seem to be buying it! Are they crazy -- or am I?"
tsukimoto, I never questioned whether it was me or them who was crazy. I KNEW it was them!!!!
I think that SGI does not necessarily target people who are in a low period of their life. It welcomes EVERYONE. Those who join, however, are generally in a low period--depressed, lonely, or vulnerable, etc. etc. Those who are NOT in a low period may say "no thanks". It's not always that way, but it seems that it often is. When we did"shakabuku", we invited ANYONE who would come to a meeting!
I agree that SGI is trying to rid itself of those who are able to think for themselves. SGI only wants those who will wholeheartedly buy into the MD nonsense. It very difficult for critical thinkers to remain in the organization.
Guys, it seems to my probably naive mind that the ultimate goal of Kosen-Rufu is truly "many in body, one in mind" which I believe Nichiren said in his Goshos. If you stamp down critical, "fundamental darkness" thinking, then the ultimate Utopia, KR, will happen, because everyone will think the same way!!
As we know, human minds do not conform into tight boxes. This presents a li-t-t-l-e logisitics problem for the SGI.
You cannot corral an inquiring mind. And inquiring minds do no inherently mean "Fundamental Darknesses".