@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

@Nichijew, you wrote, "From our perspective, interfaith. though politically correct and superficially noble, is not in accord with the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Therefore, it is a lie for SGI to call itself Nichiren's Buddhism. They are extremely active in interfaith activities. Interfaith, as 'world peace', sells." Okay, I understand your point of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@SGBye You wrote, "I have also been perusing YouTube for RTE-related videos, but a lot of them just stirred up feelings of anger inside of me." After reading this I too went to YouTube but I had a different response. I had never looked at the RTE practices. In fact, I have not been on youtube since early this year. I have to admit the few videos I saw were pretty good. Yes, some had c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@overthetop You wrote, "I can't believe how totally over the top the whole thing was. I'm sure all of you who've been to these things probably already know what it's like, but for me it was a bit of a shock and bizarre experience." Please don't leave us hanging like this. Can you give us some details about what you did not like about the event? Do you recal
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto You wrote, "As time went on, our activities and meetings became more and more focused on the evils of Nikken and the wonders of Ikeda. And that's where things began breaking down for me. I felt increasingly irritated, listening to this foolishness. In the earlier years, I usually left meetings and activities feeling energized, inspired, optimistic. In later years, I came ou
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Sparky You wrote that after Ikeda's departure, "possibly eventual reabsorption into the temple with a whimper" may be an option. That's something I never considered. It might be a good way to go since they could keep each other in check. A merger would also satisfy the guests and members who feel a clergy gives a legitimacy to the practice/sect. Both the organization and th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@DavidM You wrote, "I'm in two minds on what to think of it. On one hand, it could be a mistake by SGI, they applied too much pressure on people to give up their time, money and personal life in the name of 'Rock The Era'. This has tipped people over the edge who have had issues with SGI for a while and has been a big shock to people relatively new to SGI." I think it
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@WFC Nichiren never declared himself the Buddha. He had reason to believe he might be the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo. Even SGI study material mentions that.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Rothaus, I am not sure what you mean when you say, "Never forget to look at Nichiren in his historic context. Buddhism unlike today was a state religion - any religion being declared a state religion will sooner or later be corrupted. Look at Christianity in Europe with Bishops etc acting as secular feudal lords. We have in the end moved ahead (at least somewhat) in the 600+ years since.&qu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@WFC You wrote, "There is a Japanese Federation of Buddhism that meets on a regular basis to discuss current thinking and theology in Buddhism trying to reach for more universality. SGI does not and continues to refuse to participate. The priests at least do. Worse, there is an international world federation of Buddhism that meets to discuss universal Buddhism and has since the 50s. It is re
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@dragon 14 We are in rhythm(sorry for the Gakkai speak). Today I was asking myself this same question. Do Ikeda or any other paid leaders contribute during May or any other time of the year? If anyone knows the answer, please convey it. I just learned more about how aggressive and relentless members/leaders are being in contacting inactive ( =former) members about RTE. I don't care if I s
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Morgaine, I agree with you. A change will come. I really do hope SGI leaders read ALL the posts with their hearts, not with their pride. If all of the comments only serve to reinforce their practices, then they deserve what's coming as more and more members and guests encounter this forum. I happened upon it by accident. Imagine how much sooner I would have had I been searching the internet
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@WFC I am sure you have everyone on this site trembling with fear and anticipation of what SGI did to you. The tragic events you have related are horrible. I am curious what it is about SGI members that gives some of us the right to think we can evaluate someone's karma or religious practice. I have to say "us" because looking back I can recall some instances where I let intoleran
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@scaredtoleave You are not alone. Believe it or not, the people on this forum will stay in touch with you. You are welcome to contact me. You can Reply via PM if you would like. I have done so and I have been touched by the quality and quantity of responses and suggestions. The people here really do want to help you find what's best for you. At least keep reading through the posts starti
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@WFC Welcome to the Forum. Thank you for your post. I am so glad to hear that your practice has been almost completely without SGI's influence since 1971. You wrote, "But I have chanted all this time. Just not the way I am supposed to according to SGI and I never knew anything about SGI until Nov.7 2009. In that time, I have come to experience the power of chanting and I often visualiz
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Morgaine, you wrote, "Someone needs to stop the madness, at the end of the day there are many sincere people who simply just want to practice this amazing wonderful Buddhism correctly" I could not agree with you more. This is an excerpt of a recent notice sent out by SGI re: RTE confirmations at the community center: ** Finally, due to many requests, we will now be open JULY 4th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Blue Lady, please, please do not beat yourself up over what you have done. First of all you did not use your friend's name. Second, you have not tried to slander or hurt anyone. Third, you obviously needed a community where you could express your concerns and realizations. Finally, you often indicated that you intended to stay with SGI and try to make improvements from within. It is real
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto You wrote, "As to why SGI has so dumbed down their study: 1. The senior leadership really doesn't want members who think too much or know too much about Buddhism. Such members would realize how far SGI has truly drifted from practicing real Buddhism. They might feel more allegiance to Nichiren, the Lotus Sutra, the Gohonzon, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo than they feel for Iked
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey DavidM, you wrote, "A quick question to anyone who's been to an SGI study meeting recently. Does SGI mention Ichinen Sanzen anymore?" OMG. I am glad you mentioned this because I had forgotten it existed. The answer is definitely NOT. I have helped out with countless study meetings for the past 10 years and I can agree with the others who indicate that once upon a time, SGI did
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Nichijew, you once wrote, "I thought nothing about doing all sorts of non-Buddhist activities as a YMD member and leader. I wanted to attain Buddhahood and I was willing to do whatever my seniors said I needed to do, in order to do so: ...cleaning community center toilets until they shined; endless marching; trying to memorize To My Young American Friends; meetings nearly every night and on
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto, DavidM, Rothaus, and DrJesusEsq Well, I certainly ignited a reaction with those passages I quoted. I have learned a lot from your responses. One of you wrote, "So, my question is, if Ikeda is really such an admirer of Dr. King -- then why has Ikeda never spoken out against Japan's discrimination against those people of Amerasian, Burukumin and Korean ancestry who live in
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto You wrote, "SGI has an exhibit comparing President Ikeda to Gandhi and Martin Luther King" I just received the July-Aug 2010 Living Buddhism. As I thumbed through the magazine, I actually felt this issue might be a good one. The titles of the articles, and the continuing History of Buddhism and major terms and concepts section on pp.76-104 looked excellent. In fact, I used
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@Nichijew, you wrote: "The Gakkai gave $50,000.00 dollars to the victims of the Tsunami. Let's say their revenue is $2,000,000,000.00. That is 0.0025% of their income. Now lets take a person who makes $100,000.00 per year. What is 0.0025%? That is $2.50." OMG. That's all they gave? I gave much more than that, proportionally speaking! Now that you mention it, the actual sum quo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@tsukimoto You quoted, "This honorary professorship brings to 288 the total number of academic honors awarded to Mr. Ikeda by institutions in 51 countries and territories for his contributions to building peace, cultural exchange and the promotion of dialogue." I do find the constant mentioning of Ikeda's honorary doctorates nauseating, given that these are probably solic
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@quiet one You wrote: ""Sometimes people select a dharma-teacher or choose a particular tradition during a very low period in their personal life. When that happens, when someone chooses a person or a tradition because they have a need to lean on someone or they lack confidence or self-esteem, then there is a real vulnerability for abuse and when that dependence is placed on someon
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Rothaus, I googled Tanzan Ishibashi and didn't find much that explained his level of influence in normalizing relations with China. Is there a particular source you had in mind?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have no doubt that SGI misrepresents "earthly desires are enlightenment." Even a superficial review of Buddhism(or any world religion) NEVER suggests that using a religious practice for material gain of any sort is a wise thing. In fact, it would be deluded since things are impermanent. Perhaps this is why SGI and P.Ikeda never dialogue with other Buddhist leaders in any meaningful wa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@GwT Boy do you have arrogance. Most of us on this forum have excellent reasons for despising what SGI has done to our expectations of Buddhism, our contributions, and our own peace of mind. No, pressuring members into giving May contribution to change their karma or to support and attend some cult-like RTE event in July, and pressuring people from all areas of your life into joining does NOT cr
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey FMTW, I too feel I was brainwashed for years, 21 to be exact. However this forum has given me the courage to finally open up about all my concerns. It's exhilarating to find that I am in good company. It also has helped to get honest with my partner, my mother(who also practices with SGI), and any other disgruntled person. More than anything I do not want to support the process of hookin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Nichijew, I am screwed then because SGI leaders do know my personal business. So I will know they are visiting this forum if my stuff gets circulated. The miracle of sobriety is that I am not afraid of anything they could use against me. Years ago I would have felt otherwise. I do hope they do not resort to discussing my private business to discredit my disenchantment with SGI--but if they do
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families