@Shavoy: I don't think the publications were an absolute condition, but I don't think opposition was strong once they had people hooked into joining the club. I watched a YMD argue against shaving his mustache for the sake of unity before a big on stage event then he finally gave in. I have heard leaders say they are glad they are in an organization that doesn't have to beg for co
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteShavoyLotta great posts here the last few days, guys..... In This week's WT...now it is MANDATORY for new members just getting their Gohonzon to take out subscriptions to the periodicals. No ifs, ands or buts. Felt that familiar G-A-A-C-K-K yet again. Subscriptions were mandatory, or part of the deal without question back in the late 80's until late '
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hello Anita- Related to being able to bring up these issues, here's the beginning of D. Ikeda's guidance for March 18th 2011: "Let us do our utmost to sustain the wonderful warm atmosphere of the SGI- an atmosphere where members feel free to discuss whatever is on their minds." And there is more. Mainly about how that will keep the organization strong. So if you say wha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I had seen the 3 presidents of Soka Gakkai trifold card placed prominently in line with the Gohonzon on several altars. I never warmed up to Ikeda even though I generally feel susceptible to some charismatic types, and the charisma of some 'common people' types. I finally accepted Ikeda as 'real' and having some humor when, back in the day, I saw the 'table pounding'
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Under the 2010 Women's Activity Guidelines there is a section entitled: Supporting Young Women and Young Women graduates. Here is part of it: ""President Ikeda has aptly stated, 'Today's Soka Gakkai too, has been built by women who, since they were young, have dedicated themselves tirelessly for the sake of kosen rufu, with the determination of 'Joans of Arc' o
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@doubtful, @morgaine, Sometimes I want to attend a meeting again just to find a glaring reason to stay uninvolved with SGI. A rumour like the one being discussed of late on this forum would be that glaring reason if true. I ask myself: "Haven't I seen enough reasons already?" I think it is a day at a time process for me. I do feel that I am beginning to make the right causes fo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sort of the' numbers' Game: At one May contribution time a leader told me it was important to make sure contributors had their name on the envelope. (No anonymous donations,etc.), so they would know who in the district paid and who didn't and who to 'home visit' so they could get as close to 100% participation as possible. Sure, let's finally show those straggle
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotedoubtful@Rothaus and Nichijew and everyone else. I still want to know, how do 10 million honorary doctorates bestowed upon Ikeda make the lives or practice of SGI members any better? I fail to see the connection. I also fail to see why the members should get all excited about the ones he has already gotten or why some should be working to get him more. So what? Unless a particular member is
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChanter16The Void said in part: "It's good that you can appreciate how annoyed and ripped off we all feel, when you see that Soka is a cult of personality, where you cannot get away with disagreeing over matters such as the ridiculous M/D issues, or the fact the you never study the Lotus Sutra because according to Soka we are all too stupid and can't understand any of it, u
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@doubtful, about the coke habit/ Daimoku comparison, I think it is a dramatic example I have picked up from the movies and real horror stories I have heard about that drug. Many practices and arts and crafts require daily assiduous practice to allow an individual to maintain benefits in life and to allow growth and improvement in the practice/ craft as well as life. Chanting by myself or with ot
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I had some complex problems to figure out today. I was able to vent calmly with a friend, I did phone calls and emails back and forth with others, but did NOT chant Daimoku as part of the process to either ease the tension or 'make things happen' (magically?). I have the satisfaction of putting in my memory banks the results of things working out because of my actions - not gratitude fo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I'd like to know what people think of some of the 'rock the era' events that have been videotaped and posted by SGI members. You get a chance to rewind and listen to what normally just washes over you. Here is an example, without further comment from me. I think it was from a RTE kickoff meeting in Texas. Part of a speech from a young man on the stage: "The only way th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Much writing about reading here lately. My one experience about being inspired by President Ikeda and reading some of the classic novelists who inspired Ikeda was met with blank stares and no dialogue at a large home meeting. At this large gathering they couldn't wait for me to change the subject. Reading other material was so off base. I'll never forget that tense look on Rob Eppstein
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Here's some more current content topping the "soka spirit" page of the SGI-USA website: (http://www.sokaspirit.org/): "The purpose of Buddhism is not to produce dupes who blindly follow their leader. it is to produce people of wisdom who can judge right from wrong on their own in the clear mirror of Buddhism". (SGI President Ikeda, My Dear Friends in America P. 103
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteMorgaineHi all, How is it possible that in the space of only a few years, the SGI went from having no money to taking in $40 million in 1960??? That seems very strange to me. just a few years earlier they were broke. I wonder if they got money from other sources than just the pubs?? Does anybody know??? In the late '80s while I was on the way to do a shift at the Union Square commu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

In last months kosen rufu video, Mr, Ikeda said something about his mentor Josei Toda knowing 'how amazing he(Ikeda) was'. No one in the viewing audience flinched when Ikeda said this, (or clapped or visibly reacted at all). This stuff just washes over people. I wished I had made an audible laugh or critical comment . That is how conditioned we are to not upset the apple cart. You can&#
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Gee, I felt good about having the big boy pants on since NOT chanting. I was thinking of re-enshrining the Gohonzon for the month of June and get over my avoidance of chanting, but without SGI involvement. Maybe this re acquantence with chanting might embellish some of the freedom I'm finding. I could do well without it actually and the people around me would benefit from my approach to l
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

There is a video (out there somewhere) of another song specifically for the young women to sing : "I seek Sensei" with lines like: "and this is MY life, I'm gonna give it all to kosen-rufu my mission endlessly... And this is MY song of total victory; and I determine, I determine" (Never give up, never give in etc, basically the theme of upcoming rock the era meetings)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Some of my negative response to other practices right now could be as a temporary defense. In regards to not chanting and bad things happening: Many years ago when I broke from the practice for a while , which was because of the 'priesthood issue' according to members even though I gave them a list of all these cult concerns instead, some members agreed the reason I hit and killed a de
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

First of all, thanks to all on this forum for your openness.......................... On April 18 I unceremoniously rolled up the scroll and said out loud: "You know why I am doing this", in case the Law was listening. With the causes and lack of c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I'm tired of reading about the 190+ honorary degrees received by Daisaku Ikeda mentioned by SGI defenders. Do we know that some sort of financial or political contribution has been made to allow this virtual unknown to allegedly have 'the world's record' in receiving these honors over the real humanists and contributors to society?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

During a brief escape from SGI during the height of the 'priesthood issue' in the early '90s, I was giving some members my reasons why I didn't want to practice. The several reasons I listed, similar to the many reasons posted in this forum, were ignored. Even a close friend was insisting I was having a problem with the issue of the split with the priesthood. I would be approa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I missed a very good friend's wedding at the last second so I could attend a practice for a parade. It didn't matter that some other friend was depending on me for a ride to this wedding, I was pressured to not go to the wedding by members and complied. My excuse for not being able to go to the wedding; a lie: "I have a work training at my new job" . I never heard from these
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quoteevergreenjust wondering if anyone has ever had to go to a memorial service for a member at the community center, even if you don't practice anymore. I have to go to one soon and am dreading being around the members. I am going because the person who passed meant a lot to me. Any advice or similar experiences? The service is about her life and not about my anxiety about being there.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thinking about written words today. Okay. So proclamations were made by SGI members to make the Mentor/Disciple relationship the primary goal of your life, yet the 2010 goals postcard has no mention of this relationship other than: 'With deep appreciation for the past 50 years, let's welcome President and Mrs. Ikeda back to America!' and then 3 bullet points for the dynamic develo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Back in the late '80s during the high pressure NSA/SGI days, I missed a good friend's wedding at the last second due to allowing myself to succumb to pressure around a weekend activity. That friend never talked to me again. I told members that someone was relying on me for a ride to that wedding. No mention of that being a 'bad cause', just hooray for me for doing the 'Bu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

For Findingmywaytoday: Reconnecting with friends who aren't connected with SGI in anyway; essentially part of your pre-cult identity, would be good I think. Those friends or relations who can laugh about anything with you can help you feel grounded. I was just remembering questioning the practice 2 months from starting (many years ago) and being told by someone who
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

In regard to recent postings about Tariq Hassan, I have to say, being in the room with him when he told leaders: "And we know how if we miss gongyo the devils swoop in immediately". HELLO! There's some problem here! When I drive by fundamentalist Christian churches with their fire and brimstone style warnings, i don't laugh anymore. You put lots of time into committed ritual t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Made me think of Star Trek, your description of this 'Buddhist' Organization. The B.ORG. "Resistance is Futile!" "Assimilate!"
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I'm feeling good trying some other meditative practices and making some nice connections with non- Gawk-eye members. I still feel stuck however, linking my good feelings/ fortune or calm peaceful feelings to either lingering 'benefit' on one hand, or misperception on the other. Like maybe I'm drifting. And if a few bad things happen soon they won't be obstacles, they'
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families