I have to agree with tsukimoto about the rape allegation. It came up during the split from Nichiren Shoshu, a time when a BIG load of dirty laundry was washed on both sides. The Japanese yellow press was quite engaged in that. The list that I posted earlier contains quite a number of points that are valid even for SGI'lers to ask themselves. It is not Buddhims, not Nichiren Buddhism that is
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi there, recently I came across a catalogue of questions about "healthy and unhealthy structures" in Buddhist Groups. It was published by the DBU (Deutsche Buddhistische Union), the DBU is sort of an umbrella organisation of various Buddhist traditions in Germany. The list is not even aimed at SGI, but I guess more against some cult like groups of Tibetan Buddhism. So its a look at c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ evergreen ups, I guess that was answer that may have upset you. Its just about trusting your own judgement again. In SGI one would normaly seek "guidance". In most mainstream faiths, even Nichiren Shu, that would be a normal thing too. The difference being I would then talk to trained people and when it comes to faith even a dsicussion i.e. a REAL dialogue might develop. In SGI I b
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ tsukimoto Well it seems that experiences in SGI are quite the same all over the globe. What I also noticed is that the so called "fortune babies" (those born into SGI), do turn their backs on SGI later in life. As I mentioned in one of my posts, there is a family that comes to mind where one parent was a strong member the other was not a member at all. The child -when it still w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotetsukimotoQuoteThe Anticult They have their inner circle, and those folks would be profoundly indoctrinated into SGI. My beef with SGI was not that I was asked to work per se. It was: 1) Too many activities, 2) Local groups did not have much say about what activities they held -- the folks at the top told us what meetings we had to put on, 3) No open discussion at meetings; you couldn
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ evergreen Nope did not have that experience at all. Maybe its that you have to explain you life on your own again and not let others tell you what ikeda would do. Welcome to the real world It always strikes me how many believed that being in SGI means a trouble free life. At least even Nichiren never spoke of that one bit - and look at the troubles he has been through. What I noticed is
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ tsukimoto I think you make some valid points. I would myself not put SGI on a level like lets say Scientology considering the means it uses But it is not a buddhist organistaion. If it would at least cause a sort of "self empowerment", but people spend too much time in meetings to let society as whole "benefit" from its goals. The purpose of SGI is SGI and to secure
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ anticult I noticed the articles in the link you submitted are quite old. are you still affiliated to any Nichiren school?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

@ Anticult In many ways I can agree to what you wrote. More than two years ago I rolled up the gohonzon I received from SGI. Since I am in the process to get more involved with a more traditional Nichiren School (not NST) I will probably get rid of far more things – It does symbolise a break which is good. And it helps to clear one’s brain, if one continues to practise Buddhism after leaving
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi evergreen, thanks for the clarification. As I said earlier a GLBT group within SGI to me is like a rambling or hiking club within a prison. The main thought behind diversity groups, gaylib ... whatever tag you put on it is far to outreaching in the SGI world. The reason for the gaylib movement was to give a sexual orientation a wider acceptance. Sexual orientations though come in all sha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

evergreen .... what are you trying to tell us? "Bonnu Soku Bodai" - okay but nichiren was more than just "Bonnu Soku Bodai" are you tying to say that one should be grateful that SGI has GLBT meetings??? pleeease the lotus sutra is above that :-)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thinking of the diversity groups it just came to my mind, that it is actually quite an antagonism to speak of any kind of diversity within SGI. The only diversity that those GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) groups within SGI demonstrate is to openly show their sexual orientation – big deal. There is nothing wrong with that (I am gay too), but in my opinion the GLBT movement or g
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear Tsukimoto, Thanks for your message on the 29th. You summed up most chriticism in quite a balanced way. Its difficult to sum up all theses issues to an outsider I believe it is true for all of SGI though not just SGI-USA. I find similar aspects here in Europe. I also believe there is a generation shift - people who leave these days have been with SGI for a very long time. Seems young
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was I member since 1986 and was a teenager when I joined. Looking back I got to know some wonderful people while in SGI. Similar to some of the posts above I began questioning the movement after the schism from Nichiren Shoshu. I started questioning the interpretation of Nichiren Shonins teachings as taught by SGI/NST and secondly I had my reservations about the organisation of SGI as such.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families