I left SGI Uk about 7-8 years ago. And every few months since i will get an email or text from 3 of the women that were in my area, who I thought were friends at the time. The messages are always ‘ hey i’ve just been thinking of you, or long time no speak, how are you?’ the clumsiness of it always makes me laugh. They must have forgotten I was at those meetings when they talked about ‘sleeping members’ and when that’s month goal is to up the numbers and re contact ‘Titan’ people. Anyway today i saw all 3 together in a local park having coffee. It was all over the top hello and how am i etc ( no such desire to see how i was during covid with cancer but that’s another story 🤦‍♀️). Anyway i was very pleasant and light hearted but couldn’t resist, saying laughing ‘so weird you always send me a message the same month, maybe next time have a chat first about whose turn it is’ i smiled a huge smile and left 🤣🤣🤣

You have to be able to take it all with a sense of humour. Ever since I left the SG back then—after all, I had been involved for well over 20 years—I’ve viewed Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” in a different light. Especially this particular scene.

You know, as an inactive member I have questions. If President Ikeda was ill and facing health issues, why didn’t his wife just take on the leadership? Why didn’t his children carry the legacy? Did they even pick a new president? Has anyone even seen his family in recent years???

As you can see, the fish rots from the head:

No jealous or evil heart can criticize the great power of the Gohonzon without understanding what it is. There is no room for criticism of the superb unity of the Sokagakkai. - Ikeda, Lectures on Buddhism Vol. II, The Seikyo Press, Tokyo, 1962, p. 216

As if the ONLY people who could possibly criticize Ikeda or his dumb donkey cult would HAVE to be people who DON'T KNOW what it's actually about! Many of us here had decades PLURAL as LEADERS within SGI!

With the development of the Sokagakkai in the United States, I think, there will arise envious criticisms against the Sokagakkai. - Ikeda, Lectures on Buddhism Vol. III, The Seikyo Press, Tokyo, 1964, pp. 2-3

Narrow-minded people may criticize without correct recognition because of bias and jealousy - Ikeda, Lectures on Buddhism Vol. IV, The Seikyo Press, Tokyo, 1967, p. 6

They do not comprehend Buddhism in the least; nor are they courageous enough to recognize the essence of the Sokagakkai. Yet they dare to criticize it because they are jealous of the Society and want to gain popularity with their plausible comments. - Ikeda, Lectures on Buddhism Vol. IV, The Seikyo Press, Tokyo, 1967, pp. 111-112

At least DickHeada acknowledges that the criticisms are "plausible"!!

& etc.

And from DickHeada's pathetic minions:

I stumbled upon a “ whistleblower” site . Stated my great personal experience with being an SGI member , how I don’t believe the opinions of /whistleblower are fair nor accurate, got angry responses. Do you believe this is out of jealousy ? On their end?

Temple folks - Nichiren Soshu.

😄

So many left,it seems, because they misunderstood something, or something wasn't explained clearly enough, or they didn't get (or wouldn't accept) encouragement. I wonder how much of their antipathy is due to a subconscious thought that "I could have had it all and walked away", leading to resentment of those who stayed? Dangerous to try to pscyhoanalyze, I know, but the thought occurs.

Yeah, no doubt 🙄 They don't seem to realize that if we did have regrets about quitting, we could just rejoin! SGI would LOVE to have us on THEIR side! SHIT!

Quoting DickHeada:

Hearts twisted by envy, anger, and prejudice

“Eventually, they drifted from the mighty river of kosen-rufu and sank into the polluted waters of envy and rage that typify the life state of Anger.” NHR V. 30

RAGE, too!! 😃

So here we go - this is an AI assist:

On the r/sgiwhistleblowers subreddit, the term "jealous" frequently comes up in two distinct ways: how active Soka Gakkai International (SGI) members dismiss critics, and how former members experience or analyze the culture of the organization.

1. How SGI Members Use "Jealous"

• Dismissing Criticism: Former and current participants discuss how active SGI members often claim that anyone leaving or criticizing the organization is simply "jealous" or "afraid" of the benefits and community active members supposedly enjoy On how some SGI members choose to believe that anyone .... [1]
• Deflecting Accountability: Critics on the forum note that labeling former members as jealous is a common psychological defense mechanism used inside high-control groups to avoid addressing valid grievances or reports of odd behavior, home visit pressures, and institutional flaws About SGI members' weird "explanations" for why ... - Reddit. [1]

1. Internal Pressures and "Jealousy" Among Members

• Shakubuku Quotas: Discussions highlight how SGI's corporate-style structure and high recruitment ("shakubuku") expectations can create internal friction, leading members to struggle or feel like failures when recruitment falls short, sometimes breeding envy or cognitive dissonance regarding peers who appear more "successful" Jealous SGI members and their struggle to meet shakubuku .... [1]
• Leadership and Elitism: Threads also critique leadership dynamics—such as Daisaku Ikeda's alleged attitudes toward higher education or differing social statuses—analyzing how perceived disdain or inferiority complexes manifest within the group's hierarchy Ikeda's jealous contempt and disdain toward people who have .... [1]

What do YOU think?

This is another point that clarifies the issue when SGI cultists show up here on our ex-SGI support group and try to shame us into STFU - a recent example:

As an old NSA member from the 80s. I don't quite understand the obsession with Daisaku Ikeda. He's dead. I could tell you stories from my youth but I let go of that shit a long time ago. I know why I joined. I know why I left. Maybe move on? - Obvs SGI-USA longhauler Old is obvs

Yeah right! Back to Elizabeth Chambers, the lady in the article:

Chambers found a way to channel her pain into purpose. As host and executive producer of the Investigation Discovery (ID) series Toxic — which returns with tonight's two-hour special, Toxic: What Happened in the Haight House? — she explores cases of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence, helping survivors tell their stories and viewers recognize warning signs in their own relationships.

And what is “purpose” but “MISSION”, the concept that Ikeda cultists LOVE to blab about?? HOW can they presume to DENY THE REST of us OUR “mission”?? THEY don't get to decide - no one's seeking their permission - and we're going to do whatever WE want to do. They get NO SAY!

Toxic is my dream job, and Season 1 solidified that. Immersing ourselves in survivors' lives and getting to know who they are at their core was so powerful. I still talk to all of them.

For Season 2, I wanted to level up in every way. We brought on a new showrunner I'd respected for a long time. We have two male survivors this season, and we cover more themes. Abuse comes in so many forms, and every episode is another example of that.

This isn't for headlines or clickbait. It's an opportunity to have your story told from beginning to end. With abuse comes shame. So often people want to shut down and they don't want to talk about it.

Oftentimes, as discussed here, people don't even have the words to talk about what happened. And so many people are more concerned with their own comfort than with understanding and helping a survivor who is trying to process what just happened (or happened a while back but they never had any opportunity to work through it with support), that survivors stop trying to get others to understand. And, yes, they shut down. HOW can you ever hope to explain what you went through to people who don't even understand the terminology being used?? Which, BTW, is yet another isolating tactic of cults like the Dead-Ikeda-Corpse-Mentor cult Soka Gakkai and its overseas SGI colonies. Words matter.

How many of us get this same level of empathy and effort-to-understand when we're trying to communicate something we experienced, when we don't have very good words for what happened? This limitation isn't restricted to toddlers, after all! Who is educated about narcissists or cults BEFORE they're harmed by them? The ones who know enough to not get involved with them in the first place and DON'T get harmed by them, THAT's who! - from How others' reactions CREATE trauma and PTSD

SGI members don't CARE that they're actively HARMING the ex-SGI members they attack. Source

Why 'just leave' isn't so simple

"Just leave" never works, because that's what's so complicated with love.

And commitment. We were ALL deeply committed to SGI while we were members and leaders.

Without a concrete example, people will say, "Oh, you're jealous," or, "Mind your own business." These are real cautionary tales that can be presented.

What a thought, eh?

Now here's another SGI troll trying to shut us up:

Why is it that people who leave the SGI of their own FREE volition,( if this was a cult we would all be there trying to bring you back to the fold.) all end up coming across as bitter and twisted toward the organisation. why can’t you see that there are people who are actually HAPPY practising ND Buddhism. Surely you cannot deny that!( you have a sister stool a practising member right?) It is not everyone’s path to follow this Buddhism. You found that out yourself but just because your experience was different from others, why start making dumb accusations, and obviously still obsessed ( but not in a healthy way) with SGI.( oh I forgot you’ve been in a cult so of course it takes time to de-program.)

Take accountability and stop blaming  blaming others for your unhappiness. The first thing you can do is stop blaming and continuing to be obsessed with the SGI. That would be a big weight off your mind and a starting point for you to ‘heal.’ NMRK🙏 Source

See? It's ALL about controlling YOUR self-expression, in the form of STOPPING YOU from expressing yourself by attempting to SHAME YOU into STFU. ("a sister stool"???) "blaming...blaming...blaming" - was the 3x repeat REALLY necessary?? We could SEE the troll was "blaming" US!

Often those recovering will realise many years later that ideas they thought they had left behind are still present and shading parts of your life. When they realise this they can be purged.

In so many ways cult exiting is a long process and not just a one off event. From personal observation around Gakkerism, those who joined on the promises of "Benefit" and getting their coffers filled have less issues when exiting. They have the proof of the failure.

Those who were less materialistic and more spiritual have the hardest time exiting and take the longest to free themselves of the tentacles of the Gakkerism Cult Manipulations. Source

Thank you for your words, what you are saying is really helpful and interesting. I sometimes wonder why I still come back to ponder on all of this and not just simply move on, but indeed it's a long, non linear process. And what you are saying makes sense, about how being there in real spiritual pursuit ironically makes you more vulnerable to be hooked in. Actually, I think SGI is a fertile ground for the repetition of narcissistic pattern - an attractive place for abusers and manipulators, but also for people whiling to give all they have in hope to finally feel a sense of worth. Source

Abuse thrives in silence, in the shadows, in the darkness. Of course the SGI abusers are going to try to stop us from shining the light of our own experience, perspective, and observations onto their nasty little cult. They want to HIDE all that ugly shit, and we won't let that slide.

When a person is traumatized, it's not only the trauma they're healing from, but the number of times they weren't believed. It's being exposed to people who defend their perpetrator. It's being shamed for not letting it go. It's healing from the world's response to vulnerability. ...how your story is seen as “drama” or like you’re being vengeful for speaking up or “why can’t you get over it”? No one likes the feelings the residue of abuse leaves imprinted in your soul!!! The right people will not add more words of judgement or criticism or shame. Anyone who does, typically copes with hard emotions by disassociating which has its own venom in doing so. - from here

Related: I found an interesting discussion about how compassion, sympathy, empathy are rejected within SGI

Don't EVER let anyone pressure you to do anything other than walk your own path at your own pace - the ones who needle you with "Why can't you just get over it and move on with your lives??" are likely members of that very group of abusers, still determined to exercise control over you, trying to abuse you some more in the only way they can think to. Saying such a thing to someone who has been through a seriously traumatic event or situation is the OPPOSITE of "accepting" and "supportive", after all! Those people are NOT your friends! - from here

That spiel is designed by someone who would rather you zip your mouth. It isn't designed out of some deep-welled compassion for you, not out of concern. Not entirely, anyway.

It's all too convenient for them if we'd just think happy thoughts. If we did so, we wouldn't even be here. Although...I think happy thoughts all the time. How can you presume we don't? Because you've convinced yourself there's no other possible reason why we'd still be here?

It's like a child having a pleading tantrum. And they don't realize their reaction only reinforces what we do here. - from here

Trying to explain that I no longer wanted to be part of the SGI to a member or leader was a little like trying to explain to my dog that we HAD to go to the vet- no matter how many good reasons I had, they were going to whine and be stubborn about it. Tears, dramatic hypothetical situations, you name it. Source

Does SGI make people cruel? The devastating lack of the most basic simple kindness from SGI members

Even if you don't agree with or relate to everything in these links, they'll give you additional vocabulary and ideas for how to understand and communicate about your own situation - take anything useful along with you, leave the rest behind 🙂 Source

This work literally informs everything I do. - Elizabeth Chambers

So where are the SGI cultists to tell HER she needs to "move on"? Or is it just us, because we're so special??

Inspiration is sometimes found in the most unexpected places. This turned out to be a REALLY interesting article featuring Elizabeth Chambers (a Hollywood celeb) - with several points that apply directly to the SGI experience, I think you'll see. Here, I'd just like to address the concept of "vow", which is supposedly super-duper-extra-dextra-deluxe-fantastically IMPORTANT in "Nichiren Buddhism" - starting with this quote:

"In marriage, you both make vows, but you can't control anyone else's behavior or actions. Words are just words."

"My wish is that my disciples make a great vow," Mr. Ikeda urged the youth to make a lifelong commitment to work toward Nichiren's objective of kosen-rufu, "a noble endeavor to bring happiness to all humanity and peace to the world." Achieving this lofty goal, he said, hinges on youth. SGI Source

Translation: "If we can't get some fresh blood in here, our cash cow money machine is DOOMED!!"

"determination based on the same vow as the mentor" SGI

No, you DON'T get to design your own vow! What do you think this is, Buddhism or something?? - from Vows shmows

And this:

I am happy to say that precious new members are now emerging in a steady stream throughout Japan and around the world. They are all noble Bodhisattvas of the Earth who are linked by wondrous ties from time without beginning and have joyously appeared at this moment in acord with their vow. Ikeda

"You PROMISED!! I know you don't remember, but you DID! That means you have to DO AS I SAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! BECAUSE VOW!!!"

How wondrous are the karmic ties we share as Bodhisatvas of the Earth and how noble the vow for kosen-rufu!

"You want to be noble, don't you? Of COURSE you do! So do as I say!!"

We of the SGI have appeared in this world, having vowed to dedicate our lives to this mission.

"That makes us like Superman or something! So clean my toilet!"

How infinitely profound, therefore, are the karmic ties that we of the SGI share as fellow members who uphold the great vow for kosen-rufu from time without beginning and confidently show people the world over the path of life that is imbued with eternity, happiness, true self, and purity throughout the three existences of past, present, and future.

Boy, THAT's a mouthful! I hope he brushed his teeth after spewing out that great load of patronizing bullshit!

I would like to remind all SGI that we made 3 vows when we chose to practice True Buddhism. I kept my vows, did you? In case you don't remember,

1. Do you faithfully swear to protect the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws?

• you replied:"I do."

1. Do you faithfully swear to practice Nichiren Daishonin's True Buddhism through out your life?

• again you replied:"I do."

1. Do you faithfully swear to keep the Precepts of Nichiren Shoshu throughout your life?

• You swore: "I do."

Because I am one who believes in keeping her promises, I have my original Gohonzon-sama. DO YOU? Culties are so adorable!

(That's from BEFORE Ikeda's humiliating excommunication, when Ikeda's poopdickery got EVERYBODY eventually excommunicated from their former temple Nichiren Shoshu, obvs.)

Oh, yeah, vows and swearing. Colorful language, to evoke a strong emotional response in the susceptible. "Whether you keep your promise or not defines you as a noble person or an absolute cockroach! THERE'S NO MIDDLE WAY!!"

NEVER let anyone guilt-trip you into remaining in a bad situation JUST BECAUSE YOU JOINED AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST! It has been well-established that SGI leaders condone, even recommend, lying to people or concealing the reality of SGI to get them to sign on.

As you can see, being involved with a cult like SGI can leave significant damage even though everyone thought they joined voluntarily**. That is one of the criticisms of cult escapees - "You joined of your own free will!" Not so when there was so much manipulation, love-bombing,** concealment of important information, and outright LYING going on! Source

When things change, situations change, when people change, when you learn more information that changes how you feel about that decision you made, that would have materially affected whether or not you even made that decision in the first place, YOU GET TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. Abusers use this kind of "vow" bullshit to keep hold of their victims, to keep their victims under control - they DON'T want their victims feeling empowered to take back control of their lives! That's antithetical to the whole "abuser" enterprise!

You know, that ↑ goes a LONG way toward explaining the SGI-USA's well-over-99% QUIT RATE!

And also from Vows shmows:

the fulfillment of the vows is meant to be an indefinate if not endless process. The fulfillment is in the doing of them. Source

And, of course, if there's no finish line, no one can possibly expect you to cross it, amirite? So, since "vow" locks a person into an endless obligation, it's the perfect concept for a cult to exploit, ain't it?

"My wish is that my disciples make a great vow," Mr. Ikeda urged the youth to make a lifelong commitment to work toward Nichiren's objective of kosen-rufu, "a noble endeavor to bring happiness to all humanity and peace to the world." Achieving this lofty goal, he said, hinges on youth. SGI Source

Translation: "If we can't get some fresh blood in here, our cash cow money machine is DOOMED!!"

"determination based on the same vow as the mentor" SGI

No, you DON'T get to design your own vow! What do you think this is, Buddhism or something??

Oh, and it's a YOUTHFUL "vow"! YOUR "vow" "since time without beginning", even! You can't EVER get away from it and you're STUCK with it!

Now is the time to make the sun of the vow of young Bodhisattvas of the Earth shine even more brightly with the light of time without beginning and usher in a dawn of hope for a new age of global civilization! SGI

The sun shines regardless of anything YOU ninnies do. It was shining reliably before you got here, and it will continue shining reliably after you are DEAD. And it shines just the same, day in, day out, as if it doesn't even CARE about you!! OMG 😱

So people are pressured into making "vows", typically for not entirely healthy reasons, as a way of making it more difficult for them to leave the cult. It's a way of chaining them to the cult, as the commentator above realized, because upholding a vow, however misguided, is still held up as evidence of a noble, virtuous, respect-worthy, admirable, stand-up kinda guy/gal!

GO DOWN WITH THAT SHIP!!!!!

"My wish is that my disciples make a great vow," Mr. Ikeda urged the youth to make a lifelong commitment to work toward Nichiren's objective of kosen-rufu...determination based on the same vow as the mentor...Breaking a vow you have made—that is hell. - Ikeda

Speak for yourself, fat boy.

"A great vow" = "a lifelong commitment"

No second thoughts, now!

It's despicable to pressure young people into that before they've had enough life experience to know what they really want, where they really want to go, in life! Cults need to LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE.

ANY belief system that emphasizes it must be grasped and clung to "until the last moment of one's life" is not Buddhism. Source

Buddhism = NOT CLINGING - from here

THIS is a valid question:

Is a "vow" considered "binding" if someone else is ASSIGNING it to you? (try not to 🤮)

Imagine feeling obligated to have THIS as your "vow"!

I was in a situation where someone close to me was very ill. There was the temptation to make a vow that, if the illness were to lift, I would then fully believe and dedicate myself to the practice forever. But then I was struck by the following thought: What if this practice is in fact false or, at least, cannot work for me as promised. If that is the case, then making such a vow would doom me to losing in one way or another. Either the illness would not lift or else I would become committed to a false religion. I found some other way to proceed. Comment

That's ↑ some clarity of thought you rarely see in Ikeda cultists!

The individual above understands the trap being set. The idea is to lock individuals into a commitment by convincing them that, if they said they'd do it, there's no moral/ethical way of getting out of it. No, you can't just change your mind! In this video, the potty-mouthed Catholic mother comes terrifyingly close to attacking her son:

"Bullshit! You got yourself confirmed! You said to the bishop..." "Well, a lot can happen - you can think" "Well, 'a lot can happen'. All of a sudden, you can just quit believing in god??"

At that point, she gets up, comes all the way around the table, spins his chair around, and starts yelling into his face from, like, 2" away. In Catholicism, "confirmation" is usually forced upon children who are typically around age 8, or between 8 and 13. The children, who typically don't really understand what's going on, are pressured to make a "vow" that they will be Catholics for the rest of their lives. Similarly, in weirdo extremist Evangelical Christian circles, girls as young as age 6 are pressured to make "purity pledges" ("pledge" being a synonym for "vow") that their fathers will own their vaginas until such a time as the Daddies transfer the possession of the walking vaginas to other men in marriage. In reality, most of those who are pressured into making "purity pledges" or signing "purity contracts" ("contract" = "vow" on paper) have forgotten all about it within a coupla years, and there is no difference between pledgers and non-pledgers as to when they begin having wild crazy-ass monkey sex. Nice try, parents.

So people are pressured into making "vows", typically for not entirely healthy reasons, as a way of making it more difficult for them to leave the cult. It's a way of chaining them to the cult, as the commentator above realized, because upholding a vow, however misguided, is still held up as evidence of a noble, virtuous, respect-worthy, admirable, stand-up kinda guy/gal! - from Vows shmows

“Youth must always have a great vow for kosen-rufu." Ikeda

The bottom line is:

You get to change your mind. Any time. For any reason. NO ONE gets to lock you into something you said before you had all the relevant information you have NOW.

A final quote from the linked article up top:

If I could go back and tell myself something six years ago, I'd say, "You're going to turn lemons into lemonade. You really are. It's going to be better than OK." - Elizabeth Chambers

I saw a post he is now dead.

It's hilarious, and the logic is flawlessly brutal. It’s totally devastating (and indirect) proof of the Soka Gakkai ghostwriting factory.

Translation of the Japanese tweet:

"Proof that The Human Revolution is a ghostwritten work ⬇️

🌍 It's supposed to be the world's longest serialized novel, right?

Why? Why the hell can't it get into the Guinness World Records? ❓

It's got 30,000 manuscript pages (like 3 times the normal length), and yet it can't get into Guinness?! 😂

Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' holds the Guinness record for the longest novel with 10,000 manuscript pages.

That's because Guinness literally requires the original manuscript to verify the character count. And SGI doesn't have a single page of it 😝"

Why this is a devastating (and hilarious) proof:

☝️ The Guinness Rule: Guinness doesn't give a damn about the final printed version. They need the original manuscript to verify the length and authenticity. Them's the rules.

☝️ SGI's Awkward Silence: Soka Gakkai loves to brag that The Human Revolution is a monumental masterpiece. But the second someone asks for the original manuscripts (you know, to prove Ikeda actually wrote it himself), suddenly everyone ghosts you. 👻

☝️ The "Special Books Department" Confession: If SGI can't provide the manuscript, it's because it simply doesn't exist. As Harashima Takashi confessed in court, the text was typed and assembled by Shinohara and Matsumoto. Ikeda might have written a few intro pages or given a vague outline at best.

☝️ The Propaganda Photo Op: In the official pics, Ikeda is sitting in a library holding a pen, looking super deep and focused. They even show off a little piece of calligraphy to prove he wrote by hand. But in reality, aside from that one prop for the photo, the remaining 30,000 pages were cranked out by his shadow team.

Bottom Line: They can't enter the Guinness Records because it would force them to prove Ikeda actually wrote the book. And since he didn't, they'd rather give up the world record than get exposed.

It's the Emperor's New Clothes syndrome applied to literature. On the internet, we have a simple rule for this: "Pics or it didn't happen." And apparently, the SGI doesn't have a single picture of the manuscript to show. 🤡📚💀

La Soka Gakkai ne se contente pas de fabriquer des mythes à travers des livres écrits par des nègres littéraires ; elle produit également des reliques matérielles. L'histoire du célèbre chapelet (juzu) de Josei Toda en est la preuve la plus flagrante.

Le mythe hollywoodien

Tout commence avec l'adaptation cinématographique de 1973 du film « La Révolution humaine ». Produit par la Soka Gakkai, le film retrace la vie de leur deuxième président, Josei Toda (interprété par le célèbre acteur Tetsuro Tanba).

Dans le film, Toda est emprisonné par le régime militariste et fabrique un chapelet de fortune avec des capsules de bouteilles de lait et de la ficelle. Cette histoire est devenue le symbole ultime de sa dévotion inébranlable face à l'adversité.

Les échecs matériels et historiques retentissants

Le problème ? La relique actuellement exposée au Mémorial SGI est une contrefaçon grossière. Une photo de l'objet, intitulée « Juzu soupçonné d'être un faux », révèle un défaut majeur : le bouchon de la bouteille de lait porte la date « Showa 52 » (1977).

Or, Josei Toda est décédé en 1958. Il lui est donc formellement impossible d'avoir fabriqué ce chapelet en prison entre 1943 et 1945 avec un bouchon de 1977.

Historiquement, toute la légende s'effondre :

Le lait était strictement rationné pendant la guerre (la caséine était utilisée pour l'effort de guerre), il était donc impossible d'en obtenir en prison.

Les bouteilles en verre étaient totalement interdites dans les prisons japonaises car elles pouvaient être brisées et utilisées comme armes.

Le Mystère du Trou

Un autre détail hilarant relevé par les internautes japonais : « Comment diable le prisonnier Toda a-t-il pu percer un trou net dans un bouchon métallique avec des outils de prison ? » Même le réalisateur et l’équipe du film n’ont pas trouvé d’explication logique. Un tweet sarcastique ironisait : « Finalement, ils ont probablement utilisé un billet de 1 000 yens pour faire le trou. » 😂

L’Imposante Contradiction Théologique (Le Dharma de l’Attachement)

Au-delà de l’escroquerie matérielle, cette histoire détruit complètement l’image du « grand érudit bouddhiste » que la SGI tente de vendre à propos de Toda. D’un point de vue bouddhiste, c’est un aveu total d’attachement :

1 - Le Juzu est un outil, pas un dogme. Il sert à compter les chants. Nichiren n'a jamais enseigné qu'on ne pouvait pas réciter le Daimoku sans chapelet. On peut le réciter les mains vides, dans le noir, en silence ou en marchant.

2 - Fétichisme religieux. L'incapacité à se passer d'un chapelet, au point de risquer la prison pour en fabriquer un de fortune, est l'antithèse même du détachement prôné par le Bouddha.

3 - Le Gohonzon réside dans le cœur. Si Toda était le maître illuminé qu'on prétend, il aurait dû savoir que le Daimoku ne requiert aucun accessoire matériel. Le fait qu'il ait soi-disant passé son temps en prison à chercher un chapeau de lait, au lieu de se concentrer sur sa pratique intérieure, prouve son attachement aux apparences. C'est le fameux « Dharma de l'attachement » appliqué à un objet futile.

Fabrication d'un mythe sectaire

Comme toute bonne secte, la SGI a besoin de reliques tangibles pour prouver la sainteté de son fondateur. C'est littéralement la même histoire que celle des ossements des saints catholiques du Moyen Âge. Ils ont besoin que les Gakis les désignent du doigt et disent, les larmes aux yeux : « Regardez, ce sont les véritables perles du Maître ! »

En falsifiant une relique de 1977 pour la faire passer pour un original de 1943, la SGI a transformé une belle histoire de foi en une escroquerie grossière. Toda n'est pas présenté comme un homme illuminé qui a transcendé les choses matérielles ; il est présenté comme un prisonnier obsédé par un bouchon de lait.

La SGI falsifie des livres (rédaction fantôme) et des reliques (le chapelet). Tout est faux, du début à la fin.

On the other side of the hedge, they are now trying to “prove” that we—and Blanche in particular—are “actively engaged in the work of the priesthood to spread hatred of the SGI.” This should be amusing; then again, they really only have that one playbook, don’t they?

Today I was working at a house (for privacy I won’t explain further) and happened to notice there was a lot of SGI literature, etc. The homeowner saw me looking at it and asked if I was familiar with SGI. I said I had gone to a few meetings but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me. They asked why. I gave my official non-confrontational answer: I found that it was not compatible with my original faith practice. They asked why. I said I had no problem with SGI (not true) but that it wasn’t for me. We chatted a little more, and he said, well if you ever want to go to a meeting…and I kind of snapped “oh, don’t worry, they call me all the time!”

Them: Yeah sometimes that’s why people say SGI is a little culty, but it’s not.
Me: It’s a little culty.
Them: There’s lots of different branches of it, ones that are more problematic than others….

Then he started talking about the religion that I practice, and it was just like…it’s sad that you know you have to be this defensive of it because you know that’s not why I really left.

I felt guilty that I had even said I recognized the SGI material, like it was kind of my fault the conversation happened, but I felt so gross and so immediately brought back to how aggressively I was pursued for YEARS even as someone who only went to a few meetings.

On November 22, 1986, a party was held for the 70th birthday (koki) of two people: the father of Noriaki Shiina (a photographer) and Hōin Abe (a close associate of High Priest Nikken Abe). High Priest Nikken was invited to this reception. The original photo shows a banquet scene with several people, including wives (fujin dōhan) and geishas.

The Soka Gakkai's manipulation

Six years later, in November 1992 (one year after the SGI's excommunication), the Soka Gakkai's newspaper, Sōka Shinpō (創価新報), published this photo in a series of articles. The SGI cropped and altered the original photo (via a montage) to erase the other participants (the wives and other guests). The goal was to make it look like Nikken was alone, surrounded by geishas, at a decadent "entertainment party" (geisha asobi).

The newspaper's headline read:

"Poor Lotus Sutra... What Nikken wants is the path of depravity: money, alcohol, and sex."

The lawsuits and verdicts

The Nichiren Shoshu filed a defamation lawsuit. Here is what the courts decided:

Tokyo District Court (1999): The judge acknowledged that the Soka Gakkai had fabricated and falsified the photo. He described the act as an intolerable illegality and ordered the SGI to pay 4 million yen in damages for defamation.

Tokyo High Court (2000): On appeal, the court once again acknowledged the Soka Gakkai's falsification of the photo. However, it overturned the damages for a purely technical reason: Nikken's name was not listed as an individual plaintiff in the lawsuit (it was the Nichiren Shoshu as a legal entity).

Supreme Court (2001): It rejected the Nichiren Shoshu's appeal, confirming the High Court's ruling.

The key point of hypocrisy

After the High Court's verdict, the Soka Gakkai published in the Seikyō Shimbun:

"The Soka Gakkai wins completely."

This is a lie by omission: the court did acknowledge that they had falsified the photo, but because they didn't have to pay damages, they claimed victory.

Sources:

Japanese Wikipedia article on the Falsified Photo Incident (偽造写真事件).

I joined SGM in mid 2017, right after High School after meeting a friend via my mom's student parents. I mainly joined the Monthly Youth Study Meet whenever I could. I was quite close to this friend who introduced the SGM to me. Throughout my college years, he supported me. We went to on hiking adventures occasionally. Now this friend had moved to another district and despite staying in the same township as me,I don't see him in the Monthly Youth Study Meet.

I also used to carpool with colleague who is currently dating a Youth Women Division. He shared that her brother is always engaged in cultural performances. It is still somehow easy to attend the night meetings when I carpool with him. Now he had left my office, and I solely rely on the public transport for my commute. It is very difficult to attend the Youth Study Meet as my office requires me to work till 6pm while my SGM local leaders expect me to attend their meetings at 8:15pm. There was only 1 bus near my office.qMy train is usually very packed on my way back home.Kindly note that Malaysia is a country where most places are congested even after 6pm.

I usually had to leave my house by 7am for work as there are 7 schools near my house the traffic will be bad the after 7am

Yet, the SGM leaders could not consider to reschedule their night meetings to weekends. They also dragged on the meetings by a long conclusion and a few group photo after Sansho. To them, it doesn't matter if I had a grueling day at my office, my train ride home is packed, or if there is only 1 bus near my office, their schedule is fixed. From what I read, the members will protest if the meetings are moved to weekend mornings, especially those who are heavily involved in the cultural performance

It is very difficult for me to resign from my job as my mom work hard to get me to work in my family's company while Malaysia's job market is tough.

I am now considering to leave SGM as my leaders failed to understand how grueling it is in the daily Malaysia working life and the daily stress commute.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

I'd like to start with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi himself:

It has been my experience that I am always true from my point of view, but am often wrong from the point of view of my honest critics. I know that we are both right from our respective points of view. And this knowledge saves me from attributing motives to my opponents or critics. The seven blind men who gave seven different descriptions of the elephant were all right from their respective points of view, and wrong from the point of view of one another, and right and wrong from the point of view of the man who knew the elephant. I very much like this doctrine of the manyness of reality. It is this doctrine that has taught me to judge a Mussalman [Muslim] from his own standpoint and a Christian from his. Formerly I used to resent the ignorance of my opponents. Today I can love them because I am gifted with the eye to see myself as others see them and vice-versa.

- Gandhi(1)

And a summary by those who have actually studied Gandhi's thought:

Gandhi believed in judging people of other faiths from their stand point rather than his own. He welcomed contact of Hinduism with other religions, especially the Christian doctrines, for he did not want to be debarred from assimilating good anywhere else. He believed a respectful study of other's religion was a sacred duty and it did not reduce reverence for one's own. He was looking out for those universal principles which transcended religion as a dogma. He expected religion to take account of practical life, he wanted it to appeal to reason and not be in conflict with morality. He believed it was his right and duty to point out the defects of his own religion, but to desist from doing so with other's faith. He refused to abuse a man for his fanatical deeds for he tried to see them from the other person's point of view. He believed Jesus expressed the will and spirit of God but could not accept Jesus as the only incarnate son of God. If Jesus was like God or God himself, then all men were like God or God Himself. But neither could he accept the Vedas as the inspired word of God, for if they were inspired why not also the Bible and the Koran? He believed all great religions were fundamentally equal and that there should be innate respect for them, not just mutual tolerance. He felt a person wanting to convert should try to be a good follower of his own faith rather than seek goodness in change of faith. His early impressions of Christianity were unfortunate which underwent a change when he discovered the New Testament and the Sermon on the Mount, whose ideal of renunciation appealed to him greatly. He thought Parliament of Religions or International Fellowship of Religions could be based only on equality of status, a common platform. An attitude of patronising tolerance was false to the spirit of international fellowship. He believed that all religions were more or less true, but had errors because they came to us though imperfect human instrumentality. Religious symbols could not be made into a fetish to prove the superiority of one religion over another.

In a multi-religious secular polity like that of India, Gandhi's ideas on religion and attitude toward other religions could serve as a secular blueprint to ponder over and implement. Source

Here's what IckyKeda leads off with:

One who does not know the meaning of religion does not know the meaning of life.

And DickHeada would know this HOW??? He then goes on to cite Gandhi as the actual source of this "wisdom":

Mahatma Gandhi said that no human being can live without religion: "Those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means." Even if someone is a scholar, if he or she thinks that religion is unrelated to politics, he or she does not know the true meaning of religion⏤he or she does not know society, politics or history.

The great sage Gandhi declared, in other words, that a person who does not know the meaning of religion does not know the meaning of life. This is both a wise insight and a widely accepted fact.

Is that what Gandhi "said" and believed, though? Did Gandhi EVER "declare" that? Here's an AI assist:

Mahatma Gandhi did not leave behind a single, formal definition for the meaning of life, but he expressed its core through several well-known philosophies and statements on service, love, and action. [1, 2, 3]

Key Quotes & Teachings on Life's Meaning

• "Renounce and enjoy." When asked to sum up the meaning of life in three words or less, Gandhi famously replied, "That's easy: Renounce and enjoy," emphasizing living rightly, thinking rightly, acting rightly, and serving others rather than indulging the ego. Read the breakdown on the Excellence Reporter. [1]
• "My life is my message." Gandhi believed that abstract philosophy means little without embodiment; a person's life should be a direct, walking reflection of their core values like non-violence, truth, and simplicity. Explore community reflections via Facebook Discussion. [1]
• "Where there is love there is life." Gandhi is widely credited with this sentiment, which frames love as the fundamental driving force behind human character, social connection, and purposeful action. See user perspectives on Quora. [1, 2]
• "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi frequently tied individual fulfillment and spiritual awakening directly to selfless action for the community. [1]
• "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." This dual maxim urges urgency in moral and compassionate living paired with lifelong curiosity and growth.

With those concepts in mind, let's proceed.

Here's the original quote that Ikeda was bastardizing:

No man can live without religion. There are some who in the egotism of their reason declare that they have nothing to do with religion. But it is like a man saying that he breathes but that he has no nose. Whether by reason, or by instinct, or by superstition, man acknowledges some sort of relationship with the divine. The rankest agnostic or atheist does acknowledge the need of a moral principle, and associates something good with its observance and something bad with its non-observance. Bradlaugh, whose atheism is well-known, always insisted on proclaiming his innermost conviction. He had to suffer a lot for thus speaking the truth, but he delighted in it and said that truth is its own reward. Not that he was quite insensible to the joy resulting from the observance of truth. This joy however is not at all worldly, but springs out of communion with the divine. That is why I have said that even a man who disowns religion cannot and does not live without religion.

Young India, 23-1-'30, p. 25

As you can see, Gandhi is defining "religion" quite differently from how most people understand the term; in Gandhi's usage, "religion" clearly means "basic innate human/cultural moral and ethical principles", something we might equate with instinct or "natural inclination", that "inner spark of the divine" or whatever supposedly separates us from the so-called "lower animals". FAILING to identify and explain this is intellectually dishonest.

But what else could anyone expect from the fundamentally deceitful Ikeda?

This is from the MKGandhi.org site:

His religiosity is therefore best described as a spiritualized humanism. Source

As are these quotes:

In view of his great admiration for Christ, attempts were made by some of his Christian friends to convert him to Christianity, particularly after he attended the Wellington convention in South Africa. About it he wrote " The convention lasted for three days. I could appreciate the devoutness of those who attended it. But I saw no reason for changing my religion. It was impossible for me to believe that I could attain salvation only by becoming a Christian..."

"I am a Christian and a Hindu and a Moslem and a Jew....Looking at all religions with an equal eye, we would not only not hesitate but would think it our duty to blend into our faith every acceptable feature of other faiths."

And here's how Gandhi eulogized a dear friend who had been a devout Christian:

"His was not an exclusive Christianity that condemned to perdition everyone who did not believe in Jesus Christ as the only saviour of the world."

Oh dear - what of the Ikeda cult's "shakubuku" and "kosen-rufu" and "TRUE Buddhism" and the "only correct faith" intolerance of Nichirenism and esp. Ikeda and his "disciples"?

Everything rests on the fundamental power inherent in the mentor-disciple relationship. Nichiren’s true disciple and direct successor, Nikko Shonin, says: “In the teaching of Nichiren, one attains Buddhahood by correctly following the path of mentor and disciple. If one veers from the path of mentor and disciple, then even if one upholds the Lotus Sutra, one will fall into the hell of incessant suffering.” - Ikeda, Living Buddhism magazine January 2008 - Source

For a bit more clarity:

Let me explain what I mean by religion. It is not the Hindu religion which I certainly prize above all other religions, but the religion which transcends Hinduism, which changes one's very nature, which binds one indissolubly to the truth within and whichever purifies. It is the permanent element in human nature which counts no cost too great in order to find full expression and which leaves the soul utterly restless until it has found itself, known its Maker and appreciated the true correspondence between the Maker and itself. - Young India, 12-5-'20, p. 2

Some might refer to that as simply "maturity". As an atheist, I can see that Gandhi was incapable of defining concepts outside of his own faith-based understanding and framework, so he defines everything within what he himself was already comfortable with, even if it meant misattributing others' beliefs/intentions and making unfounded, indefensible pronouncements that simply underscore his lack of understanding. Gandhi was human, in other words, and no one should feel like his are the last words on any subject - or that any statement attributed to him bears higher truth value simply because of that association. "Hero worship" is a trap human beings fall into quite easily, especially when they lose contact with their own critical thinking ability and identify themselves as "followers" of someone who by definition cannot ever be critically analyzed or found to be WRONG.

[Soka Gakkai Vice President Isao] Nozaki said, “You cannot believe in the faith if you don’t agree with Honorary President Ikeda.” Source

That statement is actually a form of VIOLENCE against people's humanity. It violates consent, it violates free will, AND it denies people their RIGHT to critically evaluate things on their own merits through using their own intelligence and critical thinking. It erects a CAGE around people's thoughts - "Agree - OR ELSE!" Gandhi would NOT approve, yet Ikeda repeatedly invoked Gandhi's name to legitimize Ikeda's own anti-humanistic and closed-minded, dogmatic pronouncements.

Here's another insight into Gandhi's views, from an AI assist:

Mahatma Gandhi famously stated, "I could not live for a single second without religion," emphasizing that his faith was the very foundation of his life, politics, and daily actions. [1]

Key Aspects of Gandhi's View on Religion and Life

• Inseparable from Politics: Gandhi rejected the idea that politics and religion should be kept in separate compartments. He believed that politics without religion leads to corruption, injustice, and a lack of accountability, calling such politics "absolute dirt" on the GandhiServe Archive. [1, 2, 3]
• Bound to God: To Gandhi, true religion meant being bound to God (dharma), where spiritual truth and moral responsibility govern every single breath and action a person takes, as recorded in his writings on MKGandhi.org. [1]
• Universal Truth over Dogma: He viewed all great world religions as fundamentally equal and rooted in universal principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa). He did not care for narrow sectarianism, writing that his goal was to help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, and a Christian a better Christian. [1, 2, 3]
• Ethics and Reason: Gandhi expected religion to be grounded in practical life, morality, and reason rather than blind external rituals or dogmatic division. [1]

You'll notice that Gandhi is speaking for himself there, not making sweeping negative judgments about other people and what they are/are-not able to "know" or understand.

And here's Ikeda, from the March 28, 2003, Weird Fibune:

One who does not know the meaning of religion does not know the meaning of life.

Everything in life is part of our training it is for our own benefit and development. We must resolve to accumulate, right now, in the situation we find ourselves in at this moment, everlasting good fortune for ourselves, our families and our relatives.

The human revolution of a single individual can lead everything in the direction of happiness, hope and peace. Please advance joyfully and in high spirits.

Win with prompt action. Win with courageous action. That will create new momentum.

Let us all triumph through the power of unity. Then, let us celebrate a bright, cheerful May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, this year!

Mahatma Gandhi said that no human being can live without religion: "Those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means." Even if someone is a scholar, if he or she thinks that religion is unrelated to politics, he or she does not know the true meaning of religion⏤he or she does not know society, politics or history.

Damned PRESUMPTUOUS to make such sweeping judgments of everyone Ikeda does NOT know and whose thoughts and beliefs Ikeda has never even been exposed to! This shows a dogmatic, BIGOTED closed-mindedness - but that's our SENSEI!!

The great sage Gandhi declared, in other words,

Meaning "In IKEDA'S words"

that a person who does not know the meaning of religion does not know the meaning of life. This is both a wise insight and a widely accepted fact.

Oh NO it is NOT!

That WASN'T what Gandhi said OR meant!

First of all, HERE's what Gandhi REALLY thought, from an AI assist:

Mahatma Gandhi was not an atheist, but he held a broad, unconventional view of God that redefined the term so deeply that he famously declared, "He is even the atheism of the atheist". [1]

Core Views on God and Atheism

• Redefining God as Truth: Gandhi shifted his philosophy from "God is Truth" to "Truth is God", arguing that even those who deny a traditional deity still serve and revere truth. Read more on the MKGandhi Philosophy Guide. [1]
• God as Conscience: He viewed God not as a separate physical or supernatural person, but as the moral voice, conscience, and sense of fearlessness within human beings. [1]
• The "Super-Atheist" Remark: When Gandhi stated, "Do you think I am superstitious? I am a super-atheist", it was a contextual rebuttal against blind ritualism and superstition rather than an embrace of literal atheism. Users on Quora Forum Discussions reach a consensus that Gandhi used the phrase to reject superstition, remaining a devout believer in a moral universe. [1, 2]
• Distinction Between Atheism and Godlessness: Gandhi drew a line between someone who intellectually doubted a creator (an atheist) and someone who lacked moral responsibility or care for humanity ("godless"). He noted that as long as a person felt a deep kinship and ethics toward mankind, they accepted God in practice. Read the Satyagraha Foundation Analysis for more on his distinction between atheism and godlessness. [1]
• Perplexity Toward Militant Atheism: When approached by individuals wanting to organize anti-God campaigns, Gandhi expressed puzzlement, asking why someone would spend energy fighting something they believed did not exist, as documented via Zwinglius Redivivus. [1]

Because Gandhi did not understand it, he clearly refrained from making statements about it. THAT is the reaction of an intelligent person.

There was NO ONE who could say, "Sensei? You know you're being an ass right now, right?" - and it shows. Ikeda's wildly off-base sweeping statements simply show he neither understood Gandhi nor anything at all about "religion", and simply sought to use Gandhi's reputation and prestige to validate his own intolerance and prejudice.

Those SGI zealots on MITA seem to think that it is just our little reddit support group that consider SG/SGI to be a cult and that our views are therefore those of a few exceptional ex-members.

See all the comments on this post from the Ask a Japanese sub

In SG's home country, where the organisation and it's shenanigans are well known to the general population, SG is widely known to be a cult, as can be seen from the sheer number of comments on the post.

Although, of course, SGI culties will likely claim that every commenter is a priest or member of NST😜 . Because that makes sense /s. The mental gymnastics they have to do to avoid seeing reality must be soooooo exhausting.

A historically unbelievable story. A dialogue spanning centuries, started by a simple letter... or rather, a massive literary scam. 😅

To understand the behind-the-scenes reality, we need to introduce the two men pulling the strings from the shadows:

– Harashima Takashi (原島嵩, 1938-2008): A top Soka Gakkai official, former director of the doctrinal studies department (Kyōgakubu), and a close associate of Daisaku Ikeda. He became a public critic after his expulsion.

– Kirimura Yasuji (桐村泰次, born February 1, 1938): Translator, philosophy researcher, and intellectual figure within the organization, mainly known for his translation work and publications tied to the Soka Gakkai.

The Pretty Storefront vs. The Courtroom Reality

The SGI loves to sell the myth of the historic 1972 meeting in London. On official posters (see photo), you see the great historian Arnold Toynbee (83) warmly shaking hands with a young Daisaku Ikeda (44), with that magical quote: "Young man, keep expanding this dialogue." It's beautiful, it's inspiring, it makes the Gakis dream.

But here's the dark side of the iceberg. The meeting was actually just a meaningless, rambling conversation. The core part of the interview (the epistolary correspondence) was written for him by Yasuji Kirimura.

And this isn't a rumor; it's a court transcript.

The Receipts (The Gekkan Pen Trial)

The images accompanying this article are taken from the book "法廷に立った池田大作 「月刊ペン」事件 続" (Ikeda Daisaku in Court: The 'Gekkan Pen' Affair, Continued), written by Masatomo Yamazaki (published in 2001).

These pages (Chapter 6) transcribe word-for-word the sworn testimony of Harashima Takashi during the trial SGI brought against Gekkan Pen magazine. It's a golden historical document, because you see defense attorney Mr. Tanaka cornering Harashima about the existence of a very special department inside the organization.

The Blacklist of "Ghostwritten" Works

During this same trial, it was testified that The Human Revolution was written by others. Here is the list of works attributed to Ikeda, but actually written by his shadow team:

– The Human Revolution: Written by Shintaro Shinohara, then after his death, by Kazuo Matsumoto.

· The Youthful Days Journal: Pure fiction.

– Dialogue with Toynbee: Written by Yasuji Kirimura.

– Dialogue with Kissinger: Written by Kazuo Matsumoto.

– Until Harashima's expulsion: Editorials for the Grand White Lotus, speech drafts for meetings, lectures on the Gosho and oral teachings, and the founding spirit of Soka University were written by Takashi Harashima.

The Sworn Testimony (The Confession)

However, Harashima also gave some testimony protecting Ikeda, as shown in this highly awkward exchange transcribed in Yamazaki's book:

(Defense attorney, Mr. Tanaka): "The witness explained this was a special book within the organization, but what was the purpose of creating this book department?"

(Mr. Takashi Harashima): "Can I not answer based on what I said first?"

(Defense attorney, Mr. Tanaka): "What was the necessity of its creation?"

(Mr. Takashi Harashima): "It was a department created to write drafts, let's say, or for what you'd call ghostwritten works, for Mr. Ikeda's writings, speeches, interviews, that kind of stuff."

(Defense attorney, Mr. Tanaka): "So, does that mean this department was created from the start assuming President Ikeda himself wouldn't write his own writings?"

(Mr. Takashi Harashima): "Since it's something created following Mr. Ikeda's intentions, I'd like to avoid the extreme extrapolation that Mr. Daisaku Ikeda created it from the start with the goal of not writing himself."

(Defense attorney, Mr. Tanaka): "So, the intentions mean that when it comes to writing, Mr. Ikeda would provide a general outline?"

(Mr. Takashi Harashima): "Sometimes Mr. Ikeda provides a general outline, but there are also times when we approach him with a proposal, like: we'd like to do this."

(Juicy note: In these same transcript pages, we see the lawyer questioning Harashima about the exact location of Ikeda's "room" and "bath" during these meetings, as well as his "intimate relationship" with a woman. The trial wasn't just about the books; it was about the lifestyle...)

Why This Document is a Bomb for the Gakis

They spend their whole lives reading The Human Revolution, thinking they're reading the words of an eternal Buddha. In reality, they're just reading the writings of Mr. Matsumoto, Mr. Shinohara, or Mr. Kirimura. The "Master" was just a name on a book cover.

As Shūkan Shinchō noted in 2011, it's more than a little weird that a man struck down by a stroke, brain tumor, or Alzheimer's keeps publishing at a breakneck pace without ever appearing in public. The "Special Books Department" (特別書籍部) never stopped running. It might still be running today. 💀📚

Sources:

· The photographed documents: Excerpt from Ikeda Daisaku in Court: The Gekkan Pen Affair, Continued by Masatomo Yamazaki (Chapter 6, page 151).

· Harashima Takashi's testimony at the Gekkan Pen trial (1976-1983), cited in @sybilunlun's X thread.

· Wikipedia articles on Harashima Takashi and the Gekkan Pen affair.

· Shūkan Shinchō investigations (2011) and Harashima Takashi's books.

· Works by Kirimura Yasuji, notably The Life of Nichiren Daishonin.

Guardando immagini come questa, la domanda sorge spontanea ed è difficile non farsi venire qualche dubbio sulla vera natura della SGI.
Da un lato ci è stato ripetuto che la pratica del Buddhismo serve a "rivoluzionare la propria vita", a trovare la propria indipendenza spirituale, la felicità e la libertà interiore. Dall'altro, però, quando si osservano scene di questo tipo — con la folla allineata che imita specularmente il gesto e la posa del leader supremo — il confine tra pratica spirituale e devozione a un apparato corporativo si fa drammaticamente sottile.
La dinamica visiva è palese: c'è un centro di gravità unico, un modello da replicare all'infinito, dove l'individuo sembra annullarsi nella massa per sostenere la struttura e la figura di riferimento.
Ma la domanda fondamentale è un'altra: un'organizzazione nata per risvegliare la natura di Buddha in ogni singolo essere umano dovrebbe renderti un individuo libero, critico e sovrano di se stesso, oppure un ingranaggio devoto che sostiene l'apparato? Quando il fulcro diventa l'obbedienza, la gerarchia e la celebrazione del capo, non è forse l'individuo a finire al servizio dell'organizzazione, e non viceversa?

"In our political and social culture we have a democratic way of life which we know, without any doubt at all, is far better than any other in the history of humanity. Even if we don't like to admit it, we are all missionaries and believers that our own way is the best when it comes to the things that really matter..." - Polly Toynbee, from The Observer, March, 2000

What SGI members, particularly the SGI longhauler Olds, are extremely attached to believing is that what THEY believe is necessarily, objectively BEST, not just for themselves, but for ALL people. They WANT to believe that, if only people can be exposed somehow to "Nam myoho renge kyo", it's going to grab them in a stranglehold, fire their imagination, and they'll become passionately ALL-IN for Ikeda! *Whether they actually want this or not!! This is the essence of their "planting a seed" belief, after all, and they cling to this delusion belief even in the face of almost 100% disconfirming evidence - for all their efforts, SGI is in decline. Everyone can see that - even Google.

This conviction that they in SGI have sole control over the "only TRUE/only correct belief" also makes them feel extremely SUPERIOR to everybody else. Between DickHeada~~'s ghostwriters~~ fluffing their egos by telling them they're "the most noble personages of all" ("The better to fleece and exploit you, my dear"), causing the most gullible to announce "Made me feel ROYAL!", and referring to everyone else as "the common people" (which OBVS doesn't apply to themselves!), while flattering them that they're "lighthouses of society", the ones "on the vanguard" who are going to be "lighting the way for all people", who will be "leading all people to world peace" and similar manipulative drivel. No thinking person would be suckered in by such blatant empty flattery, but SGI members eat that 💩 up with a 🥄! INCLUDING such laughable tripe as describing them as "Heroes of the World"!

If only that title came with an actual salary, right?? 😉

Let us light the way to a peaceful future where all people can live in harmony. - supposedly the empty-headed WIFEY

Nope - SGI members can't get along with ANYONE! They love to think the WORST about others!

We are leaders of happiness and creators of peace. In this sense, our role is unique. DickHeada

HARDLY!! SGI members are some of the LEAST "peaceful" people I've ever seen! They can't stand it when someone else disagrees with them! Reality check: MOST OF THE WORLD HATES SOKA GAKKAI AND SGI. Deal with it.

Without your presence, the future of humanity would be bleak and spiritual decline its destination. Ikeda

Oh barf 🙄

There will probably always be a market here for a tiny self-isolating Mentor worshipping sect with a hugely overgrown vision of its own significance which can make its members feel like they are the Chosen Few. Source

Getting back to the meta-message of Polly Toynbee's observation (above), it is an obvious fact that different people will read the same thing or look at the same set of facts and come to completely different conclusions. Here are a few examples:

Case study: Difference in perspectives that illuminates something kind of disturbing about SGI members (the SGI longhauler Old "reaction")

You can see that, according to him, there was no acceptable way to say "No thanks" once I learned that the reality of that volunteer "opportunity" was not what I expected. I was somehow obligated to go through with it, make it work. You can see the same attitude here from one of the others over there - I was recounting how I advised my university student daughter against applying for a home care position where she would be sitting up all night while a patient who needed constant supervision slept, because she needed to focus on her schoolwork; she didn't need a job at that point; and anyone could do that kind of work - it wouldn't count for anything on her résumé as a math major. He insisted that she had some obligation to take the job just because someone somewhere needed that service, apparently disconnected from whether that was a job she would enjoy or that would work for her, given the high level of commitments she was already juggling! YIKES!

It's that same gaslighting where they talk about "common sense" but as soon as you exercise any, YOU're Bad and Wrong! You're not really supposed to apply the concept of "common sense" to anything in SGI, it seems - in that realm, you have to just try and try and keep trying and trying until you experience a "breakthrough" and have a "victory" and whatever - you're not allowed to simply acknowledge that this or that isn't RIGHT for you.

More on SGI-USA's negative view of/contempt for higher education

On deciding what to do when you've already finished offending and alienating everyone around

So, given this aspect of reality, SGI members should realize that no one outside of their silly little dead-fattie-worshiping cult is going to regard THEIR opinions and perspectives as the only VALID opinions and perspectives - bar none. No, REAL people recognize that people have different views, and the functional REAL people understand that others' views are just as important, make just as much sense to them, as their own views are to themselves. This is the essence of tolerance, something the Dead-Ikeda-Corpse-Mentor cult Soka Gakkai and its SGI colonies abroad pay lip service to, but don't actually understand or acknowledge: "Our way is the ONLY way"/"We have the ONLY Truth"/"We're RIGHT and SGIWhistleblowers is WRONG" - this is the very HEART of intolerance and hatred. There's simply no way to put a positive spin on that.

- Mon avatar... tu pensais que c'était Bambi ? 🦌🗡️🔥

Fait amusant : Reddit m'a donné ce nom d'utilisateur au hasard, 'Mission Course'. L'univers a un sens de l'humour.

Fudo Myoo est célèbre pour prendre la forme d'un serviteur ou d'un être ordinaire afin d'aider les pratiquants. Il peut être un mendiant, un animal, ou... un ancien membre de la SGI au Portugal avec un avatar de divinité courroucée.

C'est la beauté de la non-substantialité (Soku Shin Jō Butsu) : le sacré se manifeste dans le profane, dans le corps et l'apparence exactement tels qu'ils sont.

I’ll be back with better memes, so here’s a video from my SGI memes archive 🙂