Four Dangers of the Soka Gakkai in the Light of the LS and Nichiren

 

Four Dangers of the Soka Gakkai in the Light of the LS and Nichiren

by Mark Rogow

(Roland, OK, USA)

The first danger of the SGI teachings is mixing of the clean with the unclean. No dog would ever eat ground glass. No infant would ever ingest a toxic substance nor would any mother give their baby a toxic substance. However, a dog will eagerly eat a steak inundated with ground glass and an infant will readily drink tainted breast milk. A mother not knowing that the noxious drug is excreted into her breast milk inadvertently gives it to her baby. This is what the SGI members serve to the children of the Buddha. They serve the poison of the heretical doctrines of Nichiren as True Buddha, The DaiGohonzon, and the Oneness of Living Mentor and Disciple to their children in the milk of Namu Myoho renge kyo. Or they, like a mean and deranged farmer, serve their loyal dog the ground glass of the slander of the orthodox sects in the steak of the Jiga-ge.

The second danger is as noxious as mixing the clean with the unclean: Taking a piece of the teachings from the middle, a piece from the end, and a piece from the beginning and re-attaching them in reverse order or mixing them up. The former practice is like a surgeon who reverses a vein when creating an arterial bypass. The flow of blood ceases and the patient dies. The latter practice (that of mixing up the teachings) can be likened to a physician who is ignorant of adverse drug-drug interactions. He mixes two or three safe and efficacious drugs together which turns them into a powerful poison. The former practice of rearranging the teachings is commonplace in the SGI. For example, those teachings that Nichiren Daishonin taught before he had fully developed his faith are given precedent over the later complete teachings or they promote the theoretical teachings of expedients over the essential teachings of abandoning expedients and the exclusive faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra. An example of the danger of mixing several efficacious practices which when mixed have a deleterious effect, are the practices of shoju and shakabuku in the Soka Gakkai which are practiced without understanding the times or the circumstances in which we live. They practice shoju towards the slanderers of the Dharma such as the Zen men, Nembutsu adherents, and believers in Islam and practice shakabuku towards the members of the Kempon Hokke and the Nichiren Shu. These sundry practices the SGI perpetrates on the children of the Buddha. Neither Greg Martin nor Dave Baldshun nor any of the salaried SGI leaders are good persons and neither is their master, Daisaku Ikeda. Both have the mission of destroying the teachings and harming the children of the Buddha, Daisaku Ikeda from above and the salaried SGI leaders from below.

The third danger of the SGI is that they arbitrarily add doctrines and concepts to the Great Pure Teachings where none exist and claim them as “the original and authentic teachings of Nichiren Daishonin”. This is worse than forging Gosho because it is more insidious. By altering a word here or a word there, to already extant and authentic Gosho (literally putting words in Nichiren’s mouth), they become adept at fooling the people. This cunning and treachery they inherited from the perverse seven hundred year tradition of the Taisekaji priests and their Gosho Zenshu, Oral Teachings, and faked transfer documents. Fortunately, we have the unadulterated Showa Tehon Collection of Original Gosho (as well as expert linguists), to keep them honest. We also have the disciples and believers of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin whose correct faith and understanding renders them capable of clarifying such matters.

The last danger is, many innocent people fall prey to the SGI’s “Nichiren said this but meant that” arguments which are the teachings of the delusion of fundamental darkness. Since this is a visceral and emotional argument and the people are steeped in the Three Poisons, no amount of logic or scholarship will suffice to overturn it. Most people can no more see their own eyebrows than heaven in the distance Nichiren. It will require the wisdom of the Buddha born of faith in Nichiren Daishonin’s Gohonzon and the Lotus Sutra to destroy these arguments and devils.

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Aug 02, 2010

I feel like a battle is raging on

by: Hugo


I wasn’t aware that some Buddhists disliked each other so much. I always say that no war was waged in the name of Buddha but SGI and other Nichiren schools are waging a battle, if not a war.

Any SGI members want to comment on these claims?


Dec 19, 2010

Slander

by: Anonymous


Don’t drink the Kool-aid. SGI is about peace and dialogue.


Apr 23, 2011

S. G. I. contribute to diviseness .

by: Anonymous


The tragedy for S.G.I. members is that they are in no way contributing to peace. They are dividing humanity, and that is a form of violence. The harm they are doing to themselves is very sad.


Jun 17, 2011

SGI Is About Peace and Dialogue

by: Anonymous


“SGI is about peace and dialogue”

The Victorious Future of Mentor and Disciple

I can see those who are like demons

Milling around what

Unbeknownst to them,

Is only an execution block

Traitors!

Having turned your backs

On the Daishonin’s golden words,

Are you ready

To be burned in the fires

Of the Hell of incessant suffering?

To be imprisoned in a cavern

In the Hell of extreme cold?

To be shut off in the darkness

Of misery and strife, forever deprived of the sun’s light? –Daisaku Ikeda


Aug 12, 2011

???

by: Anonymous


What are you talking about? How do you know the Preisthood faked the oral teachings? ALL of Shakyumunis sutras were passed down orally lol. You also don’t know which Gosho is the closest to the original unless you transcribed it yourself, and even if you did I could not fully scientifically prove it based on the fact I, myself, did not transcribe it. This is where faith comes in silly. You cannot take all of this so literally. Whichever path or teachers one chooses doesn’t matter, as long as they follow the Lotus Sutra and chant they will become Buddhas! Also all of Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism talks of the importance of not breaking the lineage from master to disciple and nobody criticizes them. If it wasn’t for Ananda, Shariputa or Dengyo there would be no Nicherin who also reinterprets part of the Lotus Sutra itself. This is the beauty of individualism and the rainbow of insights one can get from a Truth. It’s wonderful people have different insights, not wrong nor is it a cause to put people down. In Tibetan Buddhism Padmasambavah is also their “True Buddha” of this age who taught a different way to Enlightenment. Do you really think he was born from a Lotus? Those specifics don’t matter it’s the practice. The master disciple relationship is precisely how the Dzogchen can achieve light or rainbow body, by connecting with those practitioners who have gone

before, visualizations and mandalas. There are also secret

termas/teachings left by the Master that only certain trained priests can interpret them thus revealing true teachings later

on that are not necessarily written down. Whether it’s the Dai Gohonzon or not, fusing with any Gohonzon’s profound light will change anyone’s karma and make them into Buddhas!


Nov 09, 2011

More anti-SGI propoganda from Rogow

by: Marshall Gordon


Mark Rogow can safely be ignored. He has no real knowledge of anything, but nurses a perpetual grudge against SGI.

He is also “always right”, and is unable to engage in respectful dialogue.

Not a Buddhist in any sense of the word.


Nov 24, 2011

Unbelieveable

by: Anonymous


I’m a new member to SGI and cannot believe what I’m reading. Since I have joined SGI, I’ve found nothing but peace and serenity in my otherwise chaotic life. Filled with anger, hatred and mistrust, I entered SGI and almost instantly, I’ve found that innocent and caring nature I once had. I’m truly sorry that so many feel that SGI is a cult or teaching wrong doctrine so I submit this….in todays world, so many religions turn against eachother in an effort to validate their own. Could this be the same situation in guise? How could it be that an organization that preaches faith, study and practice of peace be considered one of darkness and blasphemy? I’ve been welcomed into the organization and been shown nothing but love since the day I entered. I’ll continue to pray for the peace of all mankind despite what you attempt to do here. I wish you peace, light of love and happiness.


Jan 03, 2012

Reply To Anonymous

by: Anonymous


Dear Anonymous:

Part 1

I suggest you look up the cult technique called “Love Bombing” employed by such groups as the Moonies, Scientologists, and Soka Gakkai.

I also suggest you research the Nazi progaganda that speaks of peace, harmony, self realization, virtue, and a utopia here on earth.

The following passages with capitalized words are from Scruton along with commentary proving that the SGI has features of fascism :

“[Fascism is] more notable as a political phenomenon on which diverse intellectual influences converge than as a distinct idea;

as political phenomenon, one of its most remarkable features has been the ability to win massive popular support for ideas that are

expressly ANTI-EGALITARIAN.”

Despite their rhetoric, there is a huge chasm between general members and their religious leaders in the Soka Gakkai. If a general member or lower level leader disagrees with a higher level leader, it is always the general member who lacks faith or should reflect. If a leader visits the home of a member, the leader invaraibly leads prayers even if the member has been practicing many more years than the leader.

“Fascism is characterized by the following features (not all of which need be present in any of its recognized instances): nationalism; HOSTILITY TO DEMOCRACY,” TO EGALITARIANISM”

Not one leader has ever been elected in the Soka Gakkai but they call themselves, “the flower of Buddhist democracy”. Whenever members like the IRG group or individuals bring up elections of leaders, the higher level leaders, questions their faith or spins it that, “the SGI is already a Buddhist democracy, of what use are elections.” A leaders term is indefinite and the higher level leaders serve at the whim of the unelected “President”. Some leaders have been Vice General Directors, General Directors, or Vice Presidents for decades.

cont…


Jan 03, 2012

Reply To Anonymous cont…

by: Anonymous


Dear Anonymous:

Part 2

‘and to the VALUES OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT” [The Age of Reason]:

Another name for this age is the Age of Free Thought. As we have seen, there is no free thought in the Soka Gakkai. See how far one gets in the organization were one to take Shakyamuni Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, or Michio Kaku as their mentor instead of Daisaku Ikeda. Free thought extends to the sphere of freedom of study. One can not even study the various extant Gohonzons in the Soka Gakkai because it is forbidden to photograph the Gohonzon. Even an independent study of the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin is frowned upon. One must utilize the commentaries of the mentor. There were dozens of debating societies during the Age of Enlightenment. There is no debate in the Soka Gakkai. It is the mentor’s way or the highway and they are loathe to debate the other Nichiren sects, particularly the Kempon Hokke.

“the CULT OF THE LEADER,”

One need only observe the 20 foot banners, monuments, plaques and reliefs of Ikeda to know that the Soka Gakkai is a cult of personality. The teaching of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple too is evidence. The memorizations [“fusing with”, “burning into ones life”] of Ikeda’s guidances, aphorisms and poems, is another example. Naming dozens of parks, buildings, schools, and monuments after Ikeda, is yet another example.

“AND ADMIRATION FOR HIS SPECIAL QUALITIES”:

His voluminous and often ghost written books, his hundreds of paid for honorarium; “his ability to read minds and know what others are thinking.”;

“‘The sun always shining when he comes to visit.”; His fidelity; loyalty; sincerity; never erring on religious or secular matter; the list literally goes on and on.

“A RESPECT FOR A COLLECTIVE ORGANIZATION, AND A LOVE OF THE SYMBOLS associated with it, such as UNIFORMS, PARADES and ARMY DISCIPLINE”:

One finds dozens of claims of the inability of people to attain Buddhahood outside the SGI organization. Every Division has their own flag and special symbols. The SGI has its own flag and symbol. Uniforms were a big part of the USA organization for years and are still worn in Japan. Uniformity, especially among the young men’s division is highly valued. Many fail to move up the organizational ladder if they have a moustache or beard. They have grandiose parades and their young men’s and young women’s divisions are run with military inspired discipline.

“The ultimate doctrine contains little that is specific, beyond AN

APPEAL TO ENERGY AND ACTION”:

“Victory or defeat”; “ever victorious”; “life condition”; “take action today”; “It is essential for our members to raise their voices and take action.”; “Develop the will and spiritual energy to guide your members.”; give your very life for the Soka Gakkai.” “A lion is fearless. A lion is never defeated. A lion never laments. A lion is swift. A lion roars. A lion runs. And, above all, a lion wins without fail.”


Jan 03, 2012

Reply To Anonymous cont…

by: Anonymous


Dear Anonymous:

Part 3

“Another way to look at fascism is as a movement of extreme racial or CULTURAL NATIONALISM, combined with ECONOMIC CORPORATISM and AUTHORATARIAN AUTOCRACY”:

The Soka Gakkai is a country within the countries to which it has spread. There most definitely is a culture of Soka. The minor differences in the organizations of the various countries is window dressing rather than a true cultural assimilation. We would not be wrong to say it is an organization based on the Japanese cultural baggage of Bushido or way of the warrior [fierce loyalty, honor, feudalism]. They are one of the largest multi-national religious corporations in the world.

“masked during its rise to state [world] power by PSEUDO-RADICAL POPULIST appeals to overthrow a conspiratorial elitist regime”:

Anyone who opposes the goal of “world peace” based on the Soka “value creation” philosophy are elitists, intellectuals, or priest-like.

“SPURRED BY A STRONG CHARISMATIC LEADER”:

Duh!

“WHOSE REACTIONARY IDEAS ARE SAID TO ORGANICALLY EXPRESS THE WILL OF THE MASSES”:

Nothing could be more reactionary than the autocratic pyramidal structure of the Soka Gakkai formulated by Three Presidents and perfected by Daisaku ikeda, “The Buddha of the modern age who looks upon the people as his children”.

“WHO ARE URGED TO ENGAGE IN A HEROIC COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO ATTAIN A METAPHYSICAL GOAL against the machinations of a SCAPE GOATED DEMONIZED ADVERSARY”:

Daisaku Ikeda’s Concept of Peace Cosmology is an example of SGI’s grandiose metaphysical goal. It doesn’t even limit the metaphysical goal to the earth but the entire cosmos.

In his internal speeches since 1991, and in the latest Human Revolution series, we come to see that the evil Nichiren Shoshu priests and the the other evil Nichiren sects, in general, are the only thing preventing the realization of the worldwide actualization of Soka peace cosmology or the spread of the true teachings [Kosen Rufu].

“In any case, in most definitions of fascism the themes of conspiracism and a NEEDED SCAPEGOAT emerge”:

The Nichiren priests, according to the SGI are the Third of the Three Powerful Enemies, to be crushed. They can’t even see that their high paid business suited lay leaders are what Dengyo terms, nominal Bhikksus or priests.

These parallels between fascism and the Soka Gakkai are conclusive. There are other parallels, elitism, xenophobia for the nation of Soka, and the leaders drive for control, for example.


Jan 03, 2012

Oral Teachings

by: Anonymous


There is a big difference between the Oral Teachings recorded by the Buddha’s disciples in the Former Day and the forgeries compiled by the Nichiren Shoshu disciples of the King Devil in the Latter Day. The former’s sutras and commentaries were true to the teachings of the Buddha. The latter’s are self serving fictions that pervert the teachings of the Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin.


Jun 02, 2012

member in the Principality of Liectenstein

by: Elisabete


I’m the 3rd member of the SGI in Lichtenstein which has received the Gohonzon. I can only say how the wonderful the teachings and the practice have instantly changed my life, my well being and my surrounding. I am much more aware about my decisions and the way these affect my life. Practicing Nichiren Daishonin Buddhisum has made me a calmer more understanding person. I’m more aware that all the things happening around me (good and bad) have to do with decisions I have made. I’m more aware of my responsibility and am a stronger person.

I can only go on to say, that the SGI is a peace orientated organization. It’s interest is to bring peace within ourselves, peace to others and around the world. Its interest in family harmony, culture and peace are great issues in the practice of this Buddhism. If everyone around the world would find peace and happines within themselves, there would be peace in this world. The 10 life conditions that we have in our self proves this.

I encourage anyone that has daughts about this practice of Buddhism to try it and see what results you will have. If we begin to see in negative things we experience has a positive result or explanation, we will understand more about what goes on around us and live happier lives.

Thank you Sensai, Thank you SGI

Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo


Nov 20, 2012

Take in What Is Good

by: Anonymous


All spiritual paths are good. Christian prayer, meditation, and chanting all accomplish the same thing. That thing is making one mindful of wanting to better oneself and the betterment of others. No one is forced to accept all doctrine and no one should do so. One needs to think for oneself, examine, analyze and accept what logic and intelligence say makes sense. There is nothing magic about any religion or religious object. It is superstitious to believe that a statue, set of beads, or mandala holds special powers. They are simply objects to direct one’s focus to – to be mindful of what one wants to acomplish or have acomplished. What is good about SGI is that it is so accesible. The members remind each other of meetings and events and offer emotional support to one another. Some members are kooky or strict in their beliefs but that is their perogative. I am not obliged to accept their beliefs. I pick and choose what makes sense to me. All in all, they are a well-meaning group of people who want themselves and others to be happy. I have some problems with the role Ikeda plays in all of this but I attribute some of that to the Japenese culture which I think tends to be strict — men on one side of a meeting room, women on the other side. I don’t read Ikeda’s “guidance” as gospel. I either don’t read a lot of it or I read the headnotes and fill in the blanks with my own intellect. It is best to adhere to moral principles. One can find moral principles in all religions. Pick and choose; that’s the key. If something seems too kooky or cult-like, leave that aspect behind but hold on to the good.


Apr 09, 2013

25 years in Nichiren Shoshu America

by: McGowan


I am American but have had the good fortune of practicing within NSA before the split and continue today a member of Nichiren Shoshu. Nichiren Shoshu America (NSA)spread in America and abroad through the 70s and 80s because of the vital life force and healing powers inherent in the practice. This I know from personal experiences. The practice consisted primarily of faith in the daimoku, chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and reciting parts of the Lotus Sutra, faith in the DaiGohonzon and the Gohonzons inscribed by subsequent High Priests of Nichiren Shoshu, and faith in the High Sanctuary, Taisekiji located at the base of Mt Fuji in Japan. The last of the “Three Great Secret Laws” is the sight where Nichiren’s ashes, his important Gosho and other historical treasures as well as the graves of subsequent High Priests remain. It is also the site where the current High Priest continues the flow of the water of the law, training young priests and lay believers through lectures, presiding over the Gokaiji ceremonies, where lay believers come on pilgrimage to pray to the DaiGohonzon directly, and also maintains the Ushitora Gongyo at 2:30 am 365b days a year. Taisekiji is the site where the DaiGohonzon is enshrined which we Nichiren Shoshu believers revere as it possesses the spirit of the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin and is his ultimate purpose for his advent. “I Nichiren inscribe my life in sumi ink, so believe in it with your whole life.” SGI broke away as have others. Nothing within Nichiren Shoshu has changed. I was living in Japan from 1989-90 for 16 months and saw the SGI shift away from the founding beliefs of Makiguchi and Toda. I have seen the DaiGohonzon several times and still intend to go back whenever I can. Josei Toda, is also buried at the Head Temple. I make a point to stop by his grave and do sansho, chant three times. The SGI veered into a direction of its own and opposite. But there cannot be two suns in the sky.


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