Hello All, I can attest to life getting better and better when not under the control of the SGI. But I still chant and do gongyo everyday; really enjoy the personal practice - but that's just me. I haven't been around this thread much; going through a divorce - which is a benefit for me, as well as my spouse I now believe. But it does turn life upside-down. I will tell you,
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mitchell, I think the road ahead will be very, very difficult. I am usually optimistic but the way SGI Buddhism operates, you will be viewed as The Obstacle to overcome. You are trying to break her faith in the ONLY TRUE TEACHING (LOL) and there is no other way they can view you. Wife would have to be willing to split with her mom and relatives. How likely is that? The ties of the marriag
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

While in the SGI-USA I became very good at ignoring my life. Sound familiar anyone? Get to the meeting, chant for the members, visit the members, chant for everyone and everything besides yourself. Chant while your so sleep deprived that the quality of daimoku is totally lost. Since stepping back and opening my eyes to this personality cult called SGI, my chanting is so much more sincere
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I don't attend anymore, kept the Gohonzon - rather like it. I just chant and study with sgi general members and some new friends too.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Re: Nichijew's quote from Makiguchi: I would not automatically give this any credence: "The Instruction Manual Summarizing the Experiments and Testimonials of Life based on the Philosophy of Value of the Supreme Goodness." I have never heard of this. Where is it available? My brief search only lead me to Nichijew himself.
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Nichijew, I'm sure you must have a couple examples of their 'overt authoritarianism' - could you share more details?
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Nammy, I am curious how long you were a member? It seems your 2nd paragraph has many descriptions of a cult. I used to think differently of a cult like people were completely brainwashed or controlled by a 'crazy' leader of some sort, but that is just what I've seen on TV - but I do see SGI as a cult now. They want me to believe theirs is the only way, other 'competitors
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome to the newcomers. This forum is so helpful to see the light of the serious SGI errors. I was very entertained by Wakatta1 post, yes, all those Japanese womens division - is actually one of the pleasant memories. But the last generation had many American women leaders that are more into their clicks and don't go out of their way for members as much, and definitely don't brin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

re: Doubtful . . . . . . . This may explain why many of them stay even when presented with contrary information. Of course this may reflect brainwashing as well . . . I hope I am not confusing things by taking this out of context. I usually agree with much of what you say, but the above quote that snuck into your recent post indicates that you are open to the idea of SGI as a cult and t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I am very intrigued by the idea of the subliminal messages. This would be something worthwhile to expose if ever possible. If anyone knows anyone that might have possession of a DVD, or access to one of the DVD's, there must be a way to have it checked out. Does anyone know how? It would be great to have a detailed post on how a DVD can be checked out so someone might be able to obt
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome Spamster. Your insight was very interesting and obviously fueled some more great discussion. I had to learn the hard way too that this forum doesn't have any patience for one wanting to point out any of the good things about the SGI. We don't need to toot a horn for President Ikeda on any of the positive stuff he's done. It's all in question now. It's lik
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

There is a new definition of the Gakkai Spirit!!! Who can guess what the Gakkai spirit has been all these years? I want to see if I remember right by seeing what you'all think. Well, the new definition is "The Gakkai spirit of . . . . . . you guessed it . . Oneness of Mentor/Disciple" Wow, isn't that great how SGI can just randomly change concepts to fit the current
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Great points; it's amazing looking back sometimes. To your question Tsukimoto, "So...has SGI supported you? If so, how? If SGI did/does support you -- is that support worth what you might have lost or given up to be a member?" In the beginnng the members I met were so warm, encouraging and helped me out of my shell and through a tough time (sound familiar?). The chanting w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have chosen not to participate in the special zaimu campaign for the 2nd year in a row. I have been able to maintain the same job for over one year now and even got a raise. My industry is quite challenged, so I am happy with this outcome. And aside from finances, my health has been pretty good and things are going well for the family. I know of 3 experiences so far (in my small circle) o
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome Simplify and Sunmoonstars. It's great to welcome more newcomers. I too have been seriously reflecting about what to do with my mind while chanting. Did you know you can still worry, fret, complain, plan, critcize or whatever while you are chanting? I think that we are supposed to be observing our mind and we should quiet the mind as much as we can during daimoku. As I try to do
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Bribri, Welcome! I don't visit this board that often anymore; I got a little tired of the negativity and hate that also live here. You have begun with a positive idea and I know you will soon hear from those that want nothing more than to keep the split alive and well, after all, one group is all right and the other group is all wrong!! LOL. I am still a SGI-USA member but only
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It cracks me up when people want to look to blame Daisaku Ikeda for the big M/D joke over the last several years. This has become the MAIN theme for the SGI and it is what most thinking people object to. When I joined a few decades ago, the Master Disciple relationship was one of many concepts that were discussed and it didn't get more attention than any others; maybe even less attenti
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Although there are many things to criticize, I don't think the concept of 'creating value' is one of them. Some examples of creating value would be eating at the dinner table with your kids and spouse and taking the time to be interested in each others lives rather than the grab and go concept that many of use at mealtime. Or, taking the time to chant for your unhappy co-worker t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Evergreen: Faith and daily life are one. My brother's child has an incurable disease, my boss lost her dad, my spouse is suffering, etc. I doubt I will ever run out of people to chant for, in addition for my own happiness. However, I have not declared myself as officially leaving SGI. I attend only a district and stepped down from leadership years ago which allows much more freedom
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

To: OVERTHETOP That is a big step you've taken and I imagine you will go through various ups and downs from an emotional and spiritual point of view and I wish you a much happier and peaceful life. I am a little sorry that you felt that leaving the SGI meant rolling up the Gohonzon. But I understand how warped they have made the practice. "Chant this way, or this way and then try
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

RE: Hertford 65: "and has become bogged down with financial gain and superiority ie. wanting to be THE NUMBER 1 religion in the world and it's increasing in size at an alarming rate." In my opinion there is desperation to gain members and finacial contributions possibly because there are deep financial troubles at this time. They are increasing their numbers yes, but fail h
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Evergreen, I must say it is great that you began chanting again. Chanting has been around much longer than the SGI. Yet they want to claim to be the only True Buddhist organization. Currently there are many puppet-masters at the top and they want the local leaders to act just like puppets, doing exactly as they are told without question or thought. They say, "this is the campaign and you
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This might be a new topic. One fallacy is that the SGI is full of so many great people. The general membership yes, the appointed leaders NO. Let's face it, it is a top-heavy organization with leaders that most sorely lack people skills. There is no official training and since they are just human beings, they are filled with flaws. When one goes for "guidance" they are lucky
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

By the way, what does one do with a dead mentor (after Ikeda's death)? "It's like, yah, man, like I have this great mentor and I learn so much and, like he looks over me and makes sure I advance even more than he did; it's like so great to have a mentor, like wow, man; but I . . I . . . I sometimes, wish my mentor was still there, man, like at least over there somewhere i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Watch for new terminology being used in references to President Ikeda's writings. Instead of "writings", "lecture", "guidance", etc. I am hearing it referred to as President Ikeda's TEACHINGS. I think this is telling and hope it is not overlooked by the general membership. Will it soon be labeled Ikeda's Buddhism? If you are still a member, d
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!! I HOPE MANY MORE PEOPLE BEGIN TO THINK OUTSIDE THE SGI BOX IN 2011 AND WAKE UP TO THE MDM!
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Chooselife: What's next? Maybe you can start by making a list of all the ways you would spend your time if you weren't attending the many meetings and home visits I assume you were attending. I would just try to do a lot of relaxing things for now; things you enjoy. Will you give up chanting too? Saying goodbye to Buddhism or just SGI? They are 2 different things - do you
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Newbud, I'm one of the 25+ members and I can say the SGI is more controlling now. They are telling us what to do in the meetings; they want the Ikeda talk and if you just study the gosho, they feel you are off-course. It is truly a dilemma; you express it well. Yes, real people well-meaning with kind hearts. Intelligent people, but if you look closely, they aren't relaying
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Rothaus, I meant 'dialogue' on this forum. Why would we not let someone come on and voice their opinion? Are we like the SGI? Agree. Dialogue is dead in the SGI.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Oh, and I forgot to say I totally agree: daimoku, daimoku daimoku is totally the way to deal with this mess, whether you're in it, out of it, have friends in it, hate it, miss it or whatever. That's the beauty - we never lose our own power!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families