It’s a funny thing - our critics, the critics of the SGI - I understand members have varying degrees of good or bad experiences in SGI, and how some leave under painful circumstances. The problem as I have viewed it these past couple of decades is that Gakkai critics have formed and created their own anti-SGI dogma.
One of the gospels of critical SGI-ism is “we don’t read the Lotus Sutra”. Another is “we abandon Shakyamuni Buddha”.
Truthfully, it used to be true. NSA, in the old days, only wanted to acknowledge the Gosho of Nichiren, and our own sectarian guidance material.
We’ve changed. We’ve grown.
Considering that Nichiren Buddhism has only been spread through the American populace for barely more than 3 decades, SGI isn’t doing too bad, in my opinion anyway.
I am hosting the annual SGI Study review exam this weekend for my district. As usual I waited until this last week to study in earnest, but that’s the way I am. The funny thing is that I have had repeated phone calls from members asking for help on various study topics (apparently I’m suppose to be up on this stuff - not sure where that idea came from).
More than half of our material is based on understanding the Lotus Sutra. The material is more in-depth this year, even more so than the last. The three categories of the Lotus Sutra, the prime points of Shakyamuni’s lifetime, “the three meetings and two places” and much more…
The rest is based on three Gosho, and there’s some material revolving around our refutation of Nichiren Shoshu. No SGI guidance.
One thing I am aware of and have made peace with is that our study is categorized as “sectarian scholarship”, I.e. study based on our own sect’s doctrine. The two other categories of scholarship are historical, and academic scholarship. As outlined in a thesis written by J. Stone the problems these three bodies experience is as follows;
Buddhology scholars, fearful that they will conflict with sectarian doctrine, tend to stick with Indic research.
Sectarian scholars are highly invested only in their own sect’s interests and interpretation.
Historians, who largely get stuck with the greatest responsibility of research and publishing, often don’t intimately understand Buddhism.
All I would ask is that those who spout their out-of-date anti-Gakkai dogma would perhaps consider updating a little. We no longer discard the Lotus Sutra, ignore Shakyamuni, nor do we only study our own guidance.
Speaking soley for myself, when I see these obsolete rants on out-of-date and neglected websites, it’s a clear indicator that they were written by someone who is blinded by their own unreasonable resentment. Maybe it’s time to move on?
Donald
Donald -
I for one am very encouraged when I see that SGI's study material has been updated and improved as you mention. I think this is a wonderful development, and I hope it continues.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Hiya, Don - Just out of curiosity, where are you reading these rants recently? The SGI Yahoo Board has been filled with praise for the content of this year's study review - and the praise is coming from the very people who have been critical of the previous review materials (I know because I'm one of them and have had nothing but good things to say about this year's materials online). The advances you describe have been noted with a great deal of general gladness.
Speaking only for myself, maybe you're seeing "unreasonableness" where it doesn't exist (witness the two prior congratulatory comments from strongly practicing individuals who are no longer with the SGI)). Hope you had a great review,as I did, Byrd Ehlmann in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at October 30, 2006 03:02 PMHi Donald,
Well I just finished reading the 2006 Learning Review material yesterday and I am very impressed. I especially appreciated how the example of Bodhisattva Never Despise was stressed and I really liked the essay by Daisaku Ikeda about the importance of study as part of faith, practice, and study.
As a Nichiren Shu minister I am surprised but pleased to say that just about all of what was written in both the adult and the children's materials were stuff that I would easily share with anyone wanting to learn about Nichiren Buddhism. There were only two sentences in the adult review (one of those being a quote from Nichikan) and one in the kids review (that didn't even make a whole lot of sense if one thinks about it carefully) that I found problematic. And those sentences were not crucial to the main points discussed anyway. I could easily redline those and say to someone: "Here is what Nichiren Buddhism is all about." In fact, I would not even be embarrased to pass that material on to some of my friends who are Zen Masters (who would otherwise sniff out and give me a funny look regarding material that was hokey, sectarian, or self-serving).
I really think non-SGI members should look over this material to see how much SGI has changed its approach, emphasis, and in some cases even its teaching. If this trend continues I can see a day arriving when SGI and other schools of Buddhism will be able to approach each other with mutual respect and cooperation instead of being ill at ease or even at odds with one another. I think this new approach stressing Bodhisattva Never Despise, the importance of study, the challenge to dogmatism and authoritariasm (see esp. in Shin Yatomi's articles here and elsewhere), and even the recent Living Buddhism issue devoted to interfaith dialogue signal a new and very healthy direction for SGI.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Hello Don:
I agree fully with your message...I had several issues with last year's study review and even more with the leadership development seminar...
The SGI is changing...and moving in the right direction, IMHO...at least in these areas of study.
I pointed out at our study review that the content we had just seen would have been impossible in the old NSA...and the old timers pretty much agreed.
It's good for a perceived critic like myself to be able to wholeheartedly support SGI activities like the study review...without reservations!
Thanks
David
Thanks for all the comments!
I have been discovered! Darn. I read all the comments and reflected a bit and realized - I'm still carrying baggage from the 90's!
Yes, you are right Byrd, that criticism I remember is now quite out-dated. Sorry about that. I'm not on the other boards so I didn't catch some of the good reviews that you saw!
Thanks again everyone,
Don
Posted by: Donald Shimoda at November 4, 2006 09:26 AM