You ARE welcome Brantcloyd, because many of us wore those rose-clouded glasses, some longer than others. Wake up dude. Where the SGI is now is beyond wrong, beyond hope too, I'm afraid. It's not just going to blow over. And they will continue to smash those that disagree or try to disrupt their "unity". They are setting up to permanently idolized Daisaku Ikeda. They don&
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Chooselife, It is truly a difficult decision to leave when you have members that may trust you and somewhat rely on you for encouragement. I am still working on this one. I did leave the leadership role and still am a general member but only participate in the basics of discussion meetings where there is always a good amount of study and daimoku. In the SGI-USA the leadership is functioni
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Findingmyway today: I will echo Cyclops just a little bit. I've chanted since 1984, never missed a day. Only in the last 3 years or so I've realized that the SGI is far removed from what Nichiren intended and most of their activities are unrelated to a Buddhist practice and geared to grow the organization and gain revenue. I'm not sure how much you might have studied the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My two cents Chirider: I don't see the point of going to battle with the SGI per se'. You, yourself pointed out how impossible it would be. It reminds me too much of the SGI trying to convince us year after year after year the 'wrongs' of the priesthood with the SGI representing themselves as the only true disciples of Nichiren. Whether true or false, most people in the SG
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A couple of thoughts, questions: Are the unsuspecting Soka Gakkai general members that conduct a daily practice, making causes to accumulate fortune since many have the good intentions of simply spreading the law of . . Myoho Renge Kyo? Or, is it impossible for one to create fortune inside the organization due to the MDM (mentor-disciple mistake) / non-Buddhist direction of the SGI? On a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I hear ya loud and clear Doubtful. As much as I still identify with Buddhism and call myself a dedicated Buddhist, I am very anti-religious at heart and was extremely close-minded to anything religious prior to meeting the co-worker that invited me to her house for a "Life Philosophy meeting" in the 80's. When they pulled out Gohonzon applications at the end of the meeting to s
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

To 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 "peace&qu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome Bodiseeker: I love this very important point you made: " . . . . . . . however, and there is a strong internal guidance that keeps whispering for me to do something about my unease." I hope more and more and more people will be able to quiet themselves long enough to hear the same whisperings. But they keep the leaders and gullible members so busy just so they won�
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

To anyone: RE: "Patent application SGI
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo I
In January 1972, the Soka Gakkai, at the request of its President, Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, filed several patent applications at the National Office of Industrial Property, concerning the trade mark “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” This was before my time. Why would they do this? did they chant that way back then
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Exmio: 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 to get this sta
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Doubtful: you have said so many things that match my feelings exactly (but I won't quote them all): However, I cannot allow a few powerful experiences to be the reason I support activities that have become more and more cult-like over the past five years. If I could have just ignored the unpleasant parts that would have been one thing, but that gets pretty hard to do when the MDM is on a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Agreed, but I don't think people instantly become a "former member". I think it is a process especially for those of us that spent decades feeling as if we were in the right place. Let those of us have the process; maybe we'll break free entirelly, maybe not . . . either way it's good to get the word out to people that think they are the only one in their district havin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mark, By asking this question: " . . . . why not embrace the same faith and practice as Nichiren?" You seem to be implying that I am not, just because I am still officially on the member roster. I don't think it is up to anyone to judge another's faith or practice. It simply isn't possible. My question to you would be: do you enjoy still being part of an
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome 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 MD aka MDM (m
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Some YWD in our area are passing out cute little bookmarks, bright red, blue and yellow and lamenated with a "quote" from President Ikeda. First of all, I don't believe he wrote it, but putting that aside, it so blatantly points out the importance of the organization over the happiness of the person: First it has 3 points about opening or expanding our state of life, friendship
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Morgaine, I think it is a great thing to hope for - for other groups to be born from the SGI that still want to do the basic practice together. I am in the process of doing some 'investigating' by meeting with people that are still in the Gakkai but may know others that have left, or are feeling dissatisfied due to MDM (my new phrase mentor disciple mistake). I hope my networking can
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tibbs, no need to feel bad; please don't spend another minute on it. I don't know why I even mentioned anti-depressants; I was definitely insensitive to people that really need them and rely on them. So, I think it's important for people to be able to have this type of open dialogue and we all learn something. I'm glad you voiced what was in your heart. It's kinda
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tibbs, No reference at all to Depression in my post. But some people take the anti-depressants for other reasons or are mis-diagnosed. Doctors are so free to start someone on an anti-depressant; I know many on them. For those with the depression disorder of course they need medication. My reference is to my darker side, where I get so negative and want to blame, blame, complain, complain, an
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A couple brief comments tonight: As far as what percentage of members would vote Mr. Ikeda as the real Buddha, I think it would be quite low. I feel that the majority of members stay regardless of what is taught for 2 reasons: 1) Chanting feels good, and 2) the amazing sense of community especially if access to a large center. One thought that occurred to me today was how I must have been
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I want to say welcome to Tibbs - your post from the 10th made me laugh. I can relate to what you said. And to everyone, I will try to watch for the Gakkai talk, but I am not sure how to do that. Nichiren talks quite a bit about Buddhahood; it's not a Gakkai thing. I've seen the 'actual proof' (oops) of this life condition difference many, many times. I don't thin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tskimoto - in answer to your question, I have to answer with a question - is there any faith in you about the life condition of Buddhahood or not? Did you notice a higher life condition while you practiced or not? It's not about something outside of yourself such as 'accepting a personal savior' or 'properly connecting to the the mentor'. None of that is Buddhist. Nic
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tsukimoto, as you said, "Now, if I'd been chanting, I would have said that these two things were experiences, caused by my chanting. But I haven't been chanting." My comment to this would be that our practice of faith, daimoku and positive causes cannot be broken down into some scientific time/space methodology. The daimoku you chanted in the past and will chant in the fut
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Since we are talking about the craziness of recruitment i.e. shakabuku campaigns, I'll share an experience I had in the 1980's. It was street shakubuku time one evening at the kaikon and I was fairly new and not really on-board with the whole shakubuku thing, afterall I was brought up to 'not talk to strangers'. The Japanese woman in charge was the Chapter or Headquarters le
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Rothaus, Cyclops - I agree wholeheartedly and was truly getting stressed more and more by reading your accurate accounting of the demanding schedule of the typical SGI leader. I've been there; although mostly as a youth division. Funny I never questioned why I was doing those things. In the beginning I was very attracted to the dance group. We did performances - man what a high that was!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Some seem to have a definite agenda on this forum, but I thought this was about former SGI/cult members or people that have not left SGI yet helping each other through the experience as they distance themselves. Some seem to think this is an opportunity to convert others to their type of Buddhism which is probably just another cult anyway. To take advice from someone in a different sort of c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Doubtful, We just need to figure out a way to do the basic Nichiren Buddhist practice of - faith, practice & study without interference from the SGI shenningans. REally, it is absurd what activities they do that have nothing to do with a Buddhist practice. The longer I sit back and watch, the more I want to laugh. But people like you and I and many others that enjoy the basic practice are
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Anticult: I don't agree - I was never forced to buy publications, but much of what you say is just amazing and shocking. How can so many people be so duped? Morgaine: I think the key to being able to make a difference (or maybe make at least a dent?) in this is to NOT hold a leadership position. In the last couple years they had leaders sign a pledge to 'follow their ways"
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What if Ikeda is not at the bottom of this? He is an old man and likely losing his faculties. Maybe that alone explains it, or, maybe the people that surround him decided they need to make him a great Buddhist idol; to profit from it when he is gone. The current quotes from Ikeda don't look like they are his words in my opinion.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I am new to the forum. I am so happy to see some like-minded people with present or previous Gakkai experience. I wonder if some of you might help get the word out. The oneness of mentor/disciple is an SGI invention and people need to know. We should point this out to anyone we care about. The study material for the 'new' study exams to be held in October has a very disturbing bit
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families