Recently there has been talk again regarding George Williams. There was supposedly a memo recently regarding Pres. Ikeda’s exposure of the truth surrounding Mr. Williams, but I haven’t seen it. The presumption was that it is now time to clear the air about Mr. Williams in regards to his positioning with Nikken Shonin during the time of the “Priesthood Conflict” circa 1989/90.
I never saw George Williams, heard him speak of had any serious sense of connection to him, but many of the leaders I practiced with when I first began, did.
All I recall was during the grey period when Nichiren Shoshu and the Soka Gakkai were still arguing about that song (remember that song?) George quietly disappeared from the limelight. Most of us, or at least we few who even discussed him, figured there was in fact loyalty issues regarding the circumstances of that incident.
Does anyone know what really happened?
D. Shimoda
I don't.
Posted by: robek at January 28, 2007 12:20 PMI don't know anything, either. And I don't think you're going to get a coherent answer from anyone. I will ask around on some other boards for you.
By "that song", I assume you mean "Ode to Joy"?
FWIW, I have seen "Rijicho" (aka Mr. WIlliams) at Memorial Day services out here in LA at the Rose Hills Memorial Park held every year. He looks fine, although his hair is completely white. I understand he had surgery a year or so ago.
The only thing I ever heard related to that period was that Mr. Williams had been approached by the temple about associating with NSS rather than the Gakkai, and that he had declined.
Anything and everything on this topic is bound to be rumor.
Posted by: Byrd in LA at January 31, 2007 02:01 PMGeorge M. Williams had donated $300,000 of NSA money to Nikken.
Posted by: unknown at January 31, 2007 05:39 PMWow, man!
Cool unsubstantiated rumour there, unknown dude! Got anything to back that up with?
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at February 8, 2007 04:41 AMYoure a funny one, Mike dude!
I'm sure Mr. Williams donated lots of NSA money to the NST well over $300,000 over the life of the "relationship" we had with the Temple. We were supposed to donate money! We were their lay organization! I think the important question for the unkown dude is what was the date when this alleged event occurred?
See you later, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at February 9, 2007 01:07 PMHey, Byrd -
If that were an issue, then I am sure Mr. Ikeda donated far greater amounts of Soka Gakkai money to Nichiren Shoshu between 1960 and 1991, don't you think?
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at February 12, 2007 04:15 AMHey,Mike! Yeah, I'm sure you're right, man. Why are we worrying about this? Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at February 16, 2007 01:37 PMI hope Mr. Williams writes his autobiography someday, or authorizes a biography.
I've heard a lot of stuff over the years, but as Byrd says, it's all rumour.
Posted by: Vanya at February 16, 2007 02:03 PM