Diary of a Chapter Leader

Dear Nancy:

That always bugged me too. I had to wonder how people who have faith in and practice the True Law, could take advantage of eachother. But there is another way to look at it. As long as no one gets hurt (no adultery, bad loans, or amoral business practices, for example) why shouldn't a sect let people interact as they do in the secular realm? I believe that as long as people have a correct faith and practice, these types of things will not happen.

Mark

Anyone who wants to read the wordage of the manual, the code of conduct and the mandatory signature form can go to SGI-USA.ORG, go to SGI-USA Members' Resources, click on Leadership Resources, then type in the password "sgiusa".

Introduction
The SGI-USA entrusts its leaders with the responsibility to teach others how to become happy based on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. As SGI President Ikeda explains: “In a general sense, the sovereign, teacher and parent might be thought of—to put it in modern terms—as the three necessary attributes of leaders. The virtue of the sovereign lies in protecting people; this corresponds to an unwavering sense of responsibility. The virtue of the teacher lies in guiding people; this is the shining wisdom to guide people along the path of happiness. And the virtue of the parent lies in lovingly raising people; this is a warm, if strict, compassion” (Faith into Action, p. 201).
And as second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda shares: “The Soka Gakkai is my life. It must always remain an organization of pure faith that exists to accomplish kosen-rufu. We must never stand by and let our precious organization be polluted by impure hearts and minds!” (The Human Revolution, p. 1902).
Because of the organization’s endorsement of appointed leaders, the members place their trust in them. Therefore, the SGI-USA has an ongoing responsibility to ensure that the members’ trust in the organization is never violated and always protected. In the past, the code of conduct existed as generally accepted standards for leadership but was not formally documented. Today, as we continue to grow, a written set of standards is an important and necessary progression in the development of our organization to ensure that we maintain the eternal spirit of leadership as exemplified by our three founding presidents—Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda. For this reason, the SGI-USA Code of Conduct for Leaders was developed.
The SGI-USA asks that all district through national leaders, including activity/special interest group leaders, sign the Code of Conduct for Leaders Signature Form, demonstrating their understanding and acceptance of the SGI-USA Code of Conduct for Leaders. Not signing, therefore not accepting the Code of Conduct for Leaders, disqualifies one from leadership in the SGI-USA.

SGI-USA Code of Conduct for Leaders
In recognition of our shared commitment to spread the Mystic Law throughout the world for the sake of peace and the happiness of all humankind; to proudly carry out kosen-rufu activities based on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple exemplified by the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai; and to resolutely protect the harmonious unity of the SGI; in recognition of the great opportunity and responsibility to serve the precious Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the SGI-USA; in recognition of my mission to nurture the faith of those entrusted to my care on behalf of SGI President Ikeda; in recognition of the impact, both positive and negative, that my behavior can have on the faith and unity of my fellow practitioners; I am determined to live up to the standards of leadership and highest standards of conduct as described in the 2008 Leadership Manual, and agree specifically to:

Contribute to harmonious unity based on dialogue and respecting the opinions of others and, in particular, men respecting the opinions of women;

Abide by the guidance and activity guidelines of the SGI and participate in and promote the kosen-rufu activities of the SGI, including, but not limited to, propagation, publications and contributions;

Study and apply the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and the guidance of SGI President Ikeda to deepen my faith and understanding of Nichiren Buddhism;

Respect the dignity of each person, neither condoning nor engaging in discriminatory language and/or behavior toward any member based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political views or any other distinction;

Refrain from using religious activities to involve the organization or its members in political activities, recognizing that I, as an individual, may freely engage in political activities;

Restrict my leadership role to my assigned organizational responsibility—not giving direction in organizational matters to members in other organizational units—and connect members to their direct organizational leaders and never promote exclusive relationships between members and any leader, including myself;

Not use my organizational relationships to promote any personal business interests or engage in the borrowing or lending of money among members;*

Not engage in or condone sexual misconduct;*

Not violate the privacy and confidentiality of members;* and

Not engage in any other behavior that disrupts the harmonious unity of the SGI or disturbs the faith and practice of its members.*

*Refer to Chapter 5 “Guidelines and Procedures for Addressing Misconduct” for more details."

If you want my opinion of this, go to Joe Isuzu- The Terror Of Non-Conformity. Not everything in this is bad. But it's not a guideline. It's a mandate. So what is bad, becomes destructive. The other problem with this form is also endemic to the leadership in general and the fact that the SGI-USA is NOT an actual autonomous branch of the Soka Gakkai like the charter states and this is directly reflected within the words being used. They are saying that if you don't sign as a leader you are DQ'd but the only justification for this is the sentence that says so. The word for that is coercion because it's not a choice, but the illusion of one. The contract is a fear based reaction to things that have happen. To make it worse, they tell you how to think and feel about your "choice": with resolute pride. There is no room for transcending differences because you are being mandated to leave them behind and "abide". I'm a volunteer. My vow is as personal as my choice in the people I choose to emulate. "Leading" someone to a choice is vastly different from choosing for them. And if I'm going emulate someone now, it will be Makiguchi and Toda and not sign this document. I can not be the only one who sees the ironic similarities?

In all honesty, I am much more comfortable at Tupperware parties.

PS
There is something intrinsically frightening about using a quote that is directly telling you that the organization is equated with ones' life from a book that contains more potential dogma than a theocratic encyclopedia, which is not hundreds of pages long but thousands.

Joe,
Do you mean The Human Revolution? We read some of the original HR, but I have never touched the NEW HR.
At to the code - I can find several items that might affect me. Generally I agree with the foundation of the code, but like many good ideas in SGI, it gets weird.

Yes, I mean The Human Revolution and the quote from Toda, "The Soka Gakkai is my life,...".
I have four versions of The Human Revolution, not including the new extended one. (Extended, open ended, never ending) The not so subtly differences in translations is alarming and gives a glimpse into the culture from whence it comes. My favorite passage is about this guy who worked for Toda as an accountant. In one version he's a disciple and a member. In one he's just a regular schmo. In one Toda's sad that he lost a good employee because of the war. In another Toda's been betrayed by a traitor to Kosen-rufu! Toda and Makiguchi were master and disciple before they found Nichiren's Buddhism. So, if you quit you job because of, oh, I don't know, let's say a bunch of American B-29's are fire bomb the shit out of your neighborhood and you think to yourself, "Hey, I'll find another job that actually pays, in the countryside," and split, you've betrayed a sacred trust. Screw common sense, neh? So Buddhism coming from a Japanese culture, particularly when it deals with relationships that have their foundations based in feudalism, gets very "weird" as you said.

I only want to practice this law, I don't want to manipulate, intimidate or coerce anyone into doing anything other than what would be their choice. I am in this practice to progess my faith. My hope is that we can do this in unity.

Hello,

I just wrote to someone whom I trust implicitly that has been practicing for over 30 years for guidance on this issue. I scoured the web in search of discussion with respect to this, which is not trolled by temple members (I'm also a Chapter level leader) and found this short thread. We clearly are not alone in sentiment and need to practice correctly more than ever and stand by our convictions. I think it would be appropriate for us to continue dedicating ourselves more diligently to BSG activities, Leadership activities and member care despite our reservations.

We are practicing with the only organization that practices Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism as mandated by our Eternal Master The Buddha of Beginningless Time Nichiren Daishonin. Nichiren Daishonin's Goshos are enough for us to practice correctly and I also get upset when we are forced to accept 20th and 21st century amendments. We should not become a rebellion within our organization but should use compassionate dialog to avoid others precluding members from the full benefits of our practice; if they too wish to avoid conformity with the Mentor and Disciple movement. Instead of becoming complicit in this slander perpetrating our ranks, which is the insistence of developing a fake or artificial bond with someone and not stressing a deeper connection with Gohonzon, let us instead continue to practice as Bodhissatva Never Disparaging and honor every person as they are the Buddha!

I heard a Region or Zone level leader say that her Mentor Disciple relationship is millions of times better than her previous "non- Mentor Disciple embracing days" and those seeds of doubt she attempted to implant into my practice were not welcomed nor accepted. At some point the overt manipulation via Soka Spirit, every Living Buddhism based presentation (more recently), and most experiences are opening and closing words are so saturated with the M&D agenda that I feel I must continue to not accept.

I approached Kimmy Herman and Nathan the national YD leaders at an open Q & A session earlier this year and said " Is it okay for me to not accept Mentor and Disciple and continue practicing with the SGI?" I was told yes, then approached by Nathan after the meeting whom compassionately sought to understand my frame of mind better. His deeper response afterwards was that I should attend some FNCC conferences and seek out a better understanding of the Mentor and Disciple spirit... I did not take his approached and have instead opted to continue studying the Gosho and leading at least One Gosho study meeting at my home every month that does not follow the Living Buddhism or World Tribune publications and is strictly based on The Gosho.

I sincerely want to practice correctly for the rest of my life and resist the temptation of taking a spiritual "shortcut" via the M&D concept that is becoming the fundamental staple of our organization. I honor and respect Gohonzon and cherish all the SGI members worldwide, please accept my words as a thought and not a declaration or mandate to entertain more doubts. We must strive to practice with Mugi Wasshin - Doubtfree Faith! Doubtfree Faith is key for a fruitful life long practice and as a young member of only 3 years, it is my hope to continually strengthen my faith, overcome fundamental darkness, shakubuku and do my best for kosen-rufu!

Thank you for your time, and keep your head up!

I am so relieved to see this diary. I am an SGI member of one year who has just begun to read the Lotus Sutra. While I really enjoy the practice and the district I practice with - the study aspect of the organization leaves something to be desired. I am especially disenchanted with the strong emphasis on Mentor and Disciple, rather than the Gosho, Lotus Sutra and Gohonzon. Just wanted to share the peril I am fraught with. Thank you for the resource. (smile!)

hello since i was at the WPP in monterey ididnot think the behavior of the woman who was giving an experience was shameless or against the code or anything OK maybe the brochures were a bit too much but it was a public library....and I do not think the leaders were even aware that they were back there untill she mentioned it..... maybe what you saw afterward was me trying to get information from her..... since I was interested in raw foods my self. sine then she has sent me wonderful e mails with recipes for free!!

John Papa,
That is why I won't sign the code. The speaker was VERY sincere and I don't personally have a problem with her promoting her new business at the meeting. BUT, it is against the code. The code says:
"Not use my organizational relationships to promote any personal business interests or engage in the borrowing or lending of money among members."
The speaker may have signed the code of conduct, but did not understand it. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong and correcting her would have been hurtful. But that's the code and, as a leader, if you signed it, you swore to uphold it.
That is my problem with the code.