Thank you everyone for your posts. Having been a part of SGI, on and off, for 20 Years since being "Shakabuku'ed" a lot of what people put really resonated in me. When I finally commited to the practice and received Gohonzon I truly felt like I was a part of it but something happened. My vision cleared and I started to become aware of what people were saying and how they were actin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Two thoughts came to mind : 1. If you are part of a group and chant for other people on the other side of the world how does that work? Presumably those members/people for whom the chanting is benefiting don't know that you're chanting for them? Kind of like "remote chanting". So why does chanting with a bunch of people enhance that or make it better? 2. I'm inter
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Why do we need a group at all? I know that many people feel more like they are a part of and belong if they are joined to a group. I suppose it's human instinct to be with a group when practising something. Buddhism is no exception as in Catholocism and Christianity etc it is rare for someone to follow their religion alone as they feel compelled to attend meetings/rituals/services in a build
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Oh and I wanted to add that I don't see NMRK or Chanting as SGI although it's easy to confuse the two. SGI is not ND Buddhism. Chanting IS a positive thing to do. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I heard things like "that divorce was meant to happen to show you how the practice can help strengthen your determination" Bu***ht! Nothing is meant to happen or that something in my karma caused me to have chronic jaw/facial pain for 14 Years!! Like there is a reason for it and it was penance for something one of my past lives did. >>>> IT WAS CAUSED BY A PHYSICAL PROBLEM T
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thank you for pointing out that one can chant and practice "true" buddhism without SGI. I think when I broke my ties with SGI at the end of last year I also stopped practising. SGI did not represent, in my opinion, Buddhism. It was definitely about campaigns and Ikeda and that wasn't what I signed up for. So will I practice and chant? I think I will and that gives me total freedom
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was interested to read this posting about leaving cults. You said "either there is a god or there isn't a god"? Therein lies the problem. I was a part of SGI, on and off, for 20 Years. I left this year. I struggled with many things in my mind that didn't sit right. It seemed to me that you either believed or you didn't, in what they were telling you. I think many human
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I originally was introduced to SGI and Nichiren Buddhism 20 Years ago. I have dipped in and out over the years but I have certainly noticed that the focus has changed from "All you need to do is Chant and study the writings of Nichiren Daishonin" to constant discussion over and over about how important the "Mentor Disciple relationship is" ........ It wasn't really what I
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I don't know about SGI helping people lose or gain weight? :) I will say though that some members did 10 Hour Tozo (All Day Open House chanting) and all I say to that is that life is too short as it is and my time is precious! So to spend 10 Hours of it chanting until my throat is sore and I'm clock watching just didn't make sense. Did anyone else clock watch during chanting? Perha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks. I have a friend who is a lawyer so I shall ask his advice. I'm sure it's right though that they cannot get my money in the event of worse case scenario but I shan't leave anything to chance. I won't have to pay for my friends legal advice/opinion and he's not a member of SGI. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thank you. I'm relieved to hear that. Could be a touch of paranoia there perhaps lol :) Happy New Year to all here! Be happy.... Peace :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

When I handed back the Gohonzon I felt guilty on so many levels. It had taken me 20 Years to "find it". I heard members saying that EVERYONE is looking for Gohonzon and just doesn't know it yet? Also that SGI and ND Buddhism is the "Supreme Religion". I read somewhere that Gohonzons are mass produced in Malaysia? I was told that my Gohonzon is "my life" and I fe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It takes great courage to leave. I was a part of SGI for 20 Years. I only received Gohonzon this year in July and returned it in December. This year I have been on a spiritual journey searching for what, if anything, I want to be a part of. I decided that, after all this time, SGI is not for me. I really like Buddhism. I believe that people should be free to follow what they want to and in their
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It takes great courage to leave. I salute you. I know you posted this some time ago last year. I was a part of SGI for 20 Years. I only received Gohonzon this year in July and returned it in December. This year I have been on a spiritual journey and searching for what, if anything, I want to be a part of. I decided that, after all this time, SGI is not for me. I like what you say about NMRK. I lo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Guys, thank god for this forum. I did post a long reply to Tsukimoto's posting as I really liked it. I made what I consider to be a "LUCKY ESCAPE" from SGI after following it on and off for 20 Years and finally receiving Gohonzon in July. I handed it back in December. Does anyone know if there is anything else I need to do to finalise everything on my departure? Three of the mem
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thank you for sharing your story Tsukimoto. I had been following SGI for 20 Years! I can't say that I've been a member for all of that time and never received Gohonzon until this year. I was introduced to my first meeting in around 1991 by a Japanese lady that I worked with. Up to that point I'd only had a loose interest in Buddhism and religion. I went to that meeting not knowing
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families