@ The Anti-Cult, You wrote, "To the followers, President Ikeda Daisaku is the 2nd coming of Christ. They brainwash their members that SGI is fighting for world peace and all they show is president Ikeda meeting dignitaries around the world. With all the money they collect from members who are known to donate generously, they don't contribute to disasters around the world, instead of hel
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@backnforth, quiet one, and Anticult You are all correct in agreeing that SGI has twisted Nichiren Buddhism into something non-Buddhist by declaring that, "For us, as practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism...it is the teacher or mentor who puts the teachings into practice that helps us connect to the Law. Mastering our minds means having a sincere seeking spirit in faith based on the shared c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@cyclops, You wrote about the upcoming MD activity in August, "Every man who participates in these meetings will have an opportunity to sign his name on a special signature sheet to mark his participation and express appreciation to his mentor at this historic time." So they are putting pressure on MD to put their devotion to Ikeda, not to Nichiren Buddhism, in writing. Why? Why? Why? D
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Rothaus, I agree with you. I hope that people who post here are sure that they are posting factual things and not rumors. Unfortunately, there are enough unpleasant facts about SGI that we don't need to make stuff up or spread innuendo. That being said, I will hold off on commenting on any potential SGI moves. The reality is interesting enough. To everyone, this past week was a bit rough. I
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@cyclops You wrote, "I have heard that there is a new comparison of Ikeda the great – having him compared now to – Shakyamuni – Nichiren – Ikeda." Please, please, please, please don't let this be true. Up till now I have not been ashamed of SGI, just not interested in following their path. This new comparison would prompt me to return my Gohonzon and deny ever having been affiliate
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto, You wrote, "If SGI leaders are under such pressure to inflate their numbers, doesn't that mean that Rock the Era did not accomplish what it was intended to?" I think many of us can tell stories about inflated stats re: district membership lists. Some of us repeatedly asked for an inactive list in addition to the active list. Some brought this up locally. Some brought t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto I repeat, how long will they wait till they start displaying pics of Ikeda in the hallways and classrooms? How long till they start adjusting history to mention Ikeda's global significance or displaying pics of him with famous world figures or better yet--Gandhi, King, Ikeda exhibit? How long till the students are "encouraged" to see him as THE role model (oops, I almos
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@cyclops You wrote that a SR leader indicated that the organization is prepared to lose those who will not buy the Ikeda-mentor-disciple piece, and that "He said that this push was coming from Tokyo (no surprise there) insider information that enshrinement time is close @ hand he floated some ideas were of a Ikeda Gohonzon (sweet – please enough already) - So it looks like get rid of the ch
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@DavidM, You wrote, "SGI knows that it has a small contingent of well-rounded, inquisitive individuals who are just not conforming to the party line. How best to deal with such a tricky problem? The simple answer is to push them out through strengthening the 'Ikeda dogma' which SGI knows we can't stand. The well rounded, inquisitive people are far less likely to give up a mas
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@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 "getting
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have a naive question, do some of the organizations that get criticized on Rick Ross actively try to censor the forum or shut it down altogether? I am aware of moles and troles. I have seen them on the SGI thread. After reading posts on MP I started getting a little concerned that these organizations claiming to help people have to resort to secret rules and practices and clandestine subversive
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

@tsukimoto You wrote that SGI's, "Chant to become happy and get a new car and hot girlfriend" simply sells better than "Elevate your life condition and achieve enlightenment." It's all about numbers -- getting in more new members. More worker bees, more donations, more admirers of Ikeda." Speaking of which, I just received word that, "Sensei receiving the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@BeingAdagio You wrote, "No matter how old we get, humans want to believe in some kind of "magic" -- a force we can harness to bend the natural world to our will…mend our bodies and give us what we want. We fail to see that the only real "magic," if such exists, is the very uncontrollability of the natural world we seek to overcome. Wasn't that unfulfilled childhood
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Wakatta1, in reference to quitting smoking you wrote, "I discovered I could get "relief" by putting a pen in my mouth, or deep breathing, somewhat mimicking the smoking process without the cigarettes. It eventually occurred to me that if I was ever going to fully break away from that influence I had to find alternative things to do than "simulate" the smoking habit. Nowa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Morgaine, you wrote, "the saddest part for me about realizing that many things were off in the Gakkai was the complete loss of faith, for me in ANYTHING, I went thru a period many years ago when I just began to doubt everything. My thoughts were, if I had spent so much time doing activities and running around and it was all a lie, how could I trust anything again. I did not know it at the t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@BeingAdagio Welcome! You wrote, "After leaving, I found that being away from SGI felt wholesome and refreshing, like I could finally breathe and think for myself again. But I also felt a painful emptiness where the practice itself had been, and decided to start chanting again. Now, with the help of some good non-SGI guides and resources, I practice on my own terms. It has been very positi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Morgaine You wrote, "My sister was diagnosed with a terminal disease , she had many complications and was not just considered terminal she was labeled, "hopeless" the doctors would not treat her and there was nothing left to do but chant. . Well to my surprise my sister took to the chanting like a duck to water... Long story short, after a year of chanting and studying Buddhism,
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

You wrote, "Based upon the MKP manual and the coercive persuasion techniques it exhibits, MKP deeply troubled history of bad press, complaints and personal injuries (e.g. wrongful death lawsuit) I would not recommend MKP to anyone for anything." I am new to this forum on MP but I have been active on the one dealing with the SGI. I got out after 21 years of active participation just a f
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

@rattyboy You wrote, "I can also imagine myself going back to SGI and chanting to: 1. be able to hold my ground and only do what I think is right. 2. Use activities to support the daimoku fuel I'm putting into my life while ignoring controversy, like when I fuel my car and keep my mind off of the petrol situation in the world. 3. Be vigilant about controversy and plan to leave agai
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@rattyboy You wrote, " I don't think the experience of a spiritual practice should be like having enough coke up the nose to be ready for the scene at the discoteque. Which leads me to this: My observations of NSA/SGI members in the real world does not leave me with good impressions." Okay guy I have to have some fun with you now. You have used this cocaine analogy a couple of t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@FMWT If you want to be officially off of SGI's membership lists the only effective way is to return the Gohonzon. If it makes you uncomfortable to return it in person you can give it to someone in the organization (one who will not give you a hard time or try to talk you out of it) and have him/her drop it off at the center. The reason I say this is because I know that as long as you have
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Chanter 16 You wrote, "It really does help to read other's experiences. I am glad, however, that I don't live daily with the intense anger that some seem unable to let go of. Life is too short " I agree with you. I have gained a lot from reading posts and comments on this forum. In fact, I have learned more about Buddhism and my own thinking process since I started here in
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Wakatta1, your post is so funny with its numbered categories. I fit into Group 2 subcategory 1 (LOL) but I definitely had some Group 1 experience too. (LOL) The end of your post made me realize that paid SGI members (and those hoping to join their ranks) are in a really tough spot. They simply cannot criticize the organization and communicate any dissent, at least not in front of other leade
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ overthetop You wrote, "I haven't been to any SGI meetings or done toban duty since I came back from the Central Territory RTE and it's interesting that since I stopped attending SGI, my life has actually gotten better. Don't believe what they tell you about your karma." I agree. My life has gotten better since I parted from SGI and NOTHING bad has happened to me. I agr
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@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 n
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Findingmyway, You wrote, "Speaking of which, if I have magical thinking, I see nothing wrong with it. So be it, so be it if I am prone to it. SGI, chanting, and anything connected with either of them is not going to make it worse or better. I don't think it is the end of the world if I am a magical thinker. I think anyone who wants to chant to a piece of paper is also prone to magical
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Findingmywaytoday You wrote, "I told some people in SGI about counseling, and they said my counseling would go better if I would chant in addition to my counseling. I just laugh, and say: whatever." I agree that chanting can make anything, including counseling better. However, SGI does not end with chanting. It inevitably starts promising miracles, especially if you make Ikeda your men
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Rothaus responding to Nichijew You wrote, "You once said: 'From our perspective, interfaith. though politically correct and superficially noble, is not in accord with the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren Daishonin.'. To be honest Mark, I find this comment arrogant, pompous and self-righteous. I do indeed believe that religion can play an important role overcoming the worl
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@cyclops, You wrote, "I see this lot where sincere educated young members are just getting up and leaving! I have also watched members with 15+ years stop coming to meeting – one told a Chapter Leader that he was tired of the Ikeda rallies disguise themselves as districts meetings!!!!!! " This is precisely why I cannot return to the organization. Despite the sentimental reaction I migh
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Morgaine, you wrote, "I agree so much with most of what you have said, my experience with the Gakkai was not all bad and I have to have appreciation for the many sincere members who supported me in times of need. I think it is important to point out the ways the Gakkai is off, but also to remember those who did help you. Remembering the good times is the thing that keeps me from thinking th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families