QuoteDioforeverThe heart of the mentor or buddha from one point,can mean the daishonin,but from a strickter point of veiw it can mean a teacher or any one since we all have a buddha nature,the concept of teacher and student is that the students are equel to the teacher,and they strive to surpass the mentor,,,......there is nothing hinky about that statment,of the heart of the mentor or buddha....
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Very good posts all. I prefer forceful dialogue with SGI cult members but you are right, it is not for everyone. Nichijew
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteDavidMHi all, Some of the regulars may remember me, I left SGI about 9 months ago, I was quite active on this forum for a few months after that. I just want to say, my head hasn't been split into 7 pieces, nor have myself or any of my family suffered tragic events. In actual fact, I got a great new job about a month ago, and I feel my personal relationships with my family and gir
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear chirider: Oh that guy! There are more than a few similarities but thankfully, little physical violence in the latter's movement.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotechiriderSince I'm new to this thread. I would like to ask a few questions. Do you still do morning and evening gonyo? Or just one set. Also do you do the new version or the old one. The older one has a lot more pages. I have one prayer book from 1973 the others are from 1979 to present. Yes I do see the changes from 1974 (when I join) to the 90's (the split-up) to the p
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotebacknforthTo anyone: If you still chant, do you chant for worldwide kosen-rufu? Or, in addition to having deep concerns with SGI's push to worship a mentor, have you lost the belief in this idea of kosen-rufu also? It was such a noble idea and it felt good to be a part of a movement. But when I compare the 1980's, when I began practicing, to now, there has not been any more
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteBodhiSeekerIt has been my experience that, in the context of one's spiritual life, events occur with a sense of synchronicity. I have been contending with an almost overwhelming degree of doubt about the SGI since my joining the organization late last year. Until recently, I've always been able to suppress that doubt in favor of honoring whatever (self-imposed but externally coerce
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotebacknforthExmio: I think the timing would be good for a new lay organization to be launched for those that want to practice the basics of chanting, introducing others and study. But as some of us have mentioned, receiving Gohonzon would be difficult (if you, like me, am not in favor of downloading over the internet). I am interested in what you mean when you say "I am the chosen one
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear exmio: "People can attain enlightenment in two ways: by meeting the Buddha and hearing the Lotus Sutra, or by believing in the sutra even though they do not meet the Buddha..." I don't see anything about belonging to a particular group. Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra talks about a multitude of leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. "Be pleased to be without anxi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotewakatta1@Nichijew, @BeingAdagio QuoteYou certainly would be better off criticizing the SGI than me..... Just to pull a SGI-ism out of the past here, but "the eyebrow is the closest thing to our eyes but we never can see it directly". Sometimes, being deeply invested in one belief or another prevents you from seeing your own biases. I hope no offense is taken by what I'm
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteBeingAdagioQuoteNichijewBacknforth... I should probably have said, why not join a more orthodox sect of Nichiren Buddhism, one that more faithfully adheres to the basic tenets of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. I certainly am not saying, my way is the one true way. What I am saying is that the Gakkai way is not the way of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Find another way or you are complicit.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear Backnforth: Some do instantly and some don't . Otherwise, good post. Thanks. Mark
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Backnforth... I should probably have said, why not join a more orthodox sect of Nichiren Buddhism, one that more faithfully adheres to the basic tenets of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. I certainly am not saying, my way is the one true way. What I am saying is that the Gakkai way is not the way of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Find another way or you are complicit. This group is entitled, Forme
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotebacknforthWelcome Exmio! I enjoyed your experience. You pointed out so well the positive and negative aspects of the SGI, and you have seen it all over the world! You really decribed so well the dilema that many of us are dealing with. I am still a member but only attend the district meeting, and only because there are those on the same page there, and we just don't get into the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotecyclopsFOR SURE: This is why IKEDA failed in his world conquest – he kept it Japanese centric while the other world religions incorporated other cultures – no matter where you go in SGI you are always in Japan – the goal is world peace but you have the entire organization – centered around Japanese corporate leaders and with IKEDA as MASTER to all doesn’t play well outside Japan where the c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear Backnforth: One of the Ten Honorific Titles of the Buddha is "Truly Omnicient". Another is "Perfect in Illumination and Conduct". Ikeda, for example has made so many errors, it would be difficult to list them all and his conduct and that of his high salaried leaders is reprehensible. Buddhism offer a means, not only to correctly see oneself but to understand the world.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear All: It must have been such an embarrassment that they pulled the September National Area Leader and above Youth Division Audio Encouragement. Even this audience of top youth division leaders couldn't feign much enthusiasm for the personality cults top YD leaders messages. It was quite unnerving, even for me. Mark
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotesgIwonderI completely understand how you feel, doubtful, Tibbs and Nichijew. Even in my days of of being super-gung-ho I did my share of eye-rolling. But I wonder if you cut yourself off from the organization how you sustain yourself and where do you get your encouragement? Don't you find constantly being upset by things draining? Someone mentioned they get it here, but this is a poor s
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Tibbs: The young woman, just before and around the middle is totally out of touch. She mentions Sensei close to one hundred times. One may skip everything except her speech for the full flavor of the audio. Mark
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dear Backnforth: As long as the national leaders who gave that audio encouragement aren't there, you shouldn't have any problem at your meeting. Maybe you should play the audio encouragement as an example of what not to do, in order to attain Enlightenment. Mark
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Latest hour plus youth division "encouragement" audio. Sensei mentioned > 400 x, chanting 20x, Nichiren Daishonin ~10x , Lotus Sutra 2x, Shakyamuni 1x Lowlights: “Youth! Why aren’t you seeking me out more.” — Ikeda Taisaku “Exert fully to seek our mentor.” - “How can I seek Sensei more.” “How can I be a truer disciple of Sensei?” “Joyfully do anything for Sensei
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Here's a good SGI buzz phrase, "train members"...Like fluffy the dog? SGIwonder, here is a bunch on Mr. Williams, Nichijew
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The earliest reference to the word is by a Nichiren Shoshu adherent and one time most hated gaijin enemy of the Soka Gakkai, Craig Bratcher, in 1995. Mark
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteRothausQuoteNichijewOnly a votary of the Lotus Sutra can understand the import of the Lotus Sutra's protection. Observing the life of Nichiren we know this is true. This comment had yet again an undertone of being part of a selected view – proselytizing. There is nothing wrong to comment on different streams in Nichiren Buddhism. But I am sorry to say I have have been long enough in S
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteRothaus@ Morgaine and Nichijew Although I still chant, it most be noted that this forum is not one of Nichiren practitioners, but one open to ALL (ex)-SGI-members plus family and friends. Amongst those you will find people who simply do not believe in any religion any more including what some of us believe to be the benefit of chanting. They are have perfectly every right to state why, in t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteMorgaineUgh goodness, really?? Are we saying that chanting does not offer protection? That it does not put you in rrthym?? I wholeheartedly disagree. Without delving into a conversation about quantum mechanics, I would say, yes there are things wrong with SGI, but please, do not throw the baby out with the bath-water. Excellent Morgaine. Only a votary of the Lotus Sutra can understand
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

According to the great sociologist, Max Weber, "On the basis of the belief in legitimacy, there are three ideal types of rulership: traditional, charismatic and legal rulership. Traditional leadership (rulership) is the belief of the people in a traditional routine, the most important aspect being patriarchalism. This is the rulership system of monarchs. "The second type of leader
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Backnforth... Scroll down to the bottom for Cult-Sect Characteristics The Kempon Hokke has been a Nichiren sect since the 14th century, upholding the tenets of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren since that time. SGI has every characteristic of "cult". Kempon Hokke has every characteristic of sect and none of cult. The proper way to dispose of "Gohonzon" is burning it. The
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotev3rsus@ everyone, hehe: I just feel SO STUPID for allowing myself to get sucked into this crap not once, but twice! Everyone's so nice at first and then once you gain your footing, they're crawling up your ass for money, shakubuku, harassing you to go to meetings and World Peace Gongyo, etc. I can't bring myself to go to another meeting...for me, it would be my first meeting
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteMashkadovHi Guys, I am a new poster to this forum - although I have been lurking in the shadows and have been following since about page 15. I am sure there are some more people like that. I don't want to hijack the latest discussion but I thought I would add something to the earlier discussions regarding the SGI charter school. There is in fact already a charter school founded a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families