Reverend Greg

Rev. Caleb,

Occasionally I slip into "Eubonics" (aka English dialect spoken by African Americans).

"Give it up" = so tell us dear friend

Not intended as any kind of throughing down the gauntlet.

Dr. Mimi

Brian...actually they *did* tell me that unless I started "understanding sensei's heart" and really, really strived hard to read his writings, I would *not* receive much benefit from chanting.

We have an entire district meeting to discuss how we should read Ikeda's writings. I was flabbergasted. For two hours we were told how to look for "keywords" in his writings so we could feel he was talking "directly to us". ("When he says 'you', he really means 'YOU!!!' It's like he's in your living room talking directly to YOU!!!")

I think it's wonderful if people feel a connection to Ikeda...but I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't covered in the "brochure" before I got involved. It wasn't my thing.

With that in mind, I can understand why some folks (i.e., Sokacult.com) claim it's a cult. Scientology is notorious for holding back information from new members (like it's creation story...we came from executed aliens) and only giving that info after they've become fully active in the org. Some argue that certain religious tenents cannot be completely understood or appreciated by newcomers...so it isn't put "out there".

It's not true to say SGI doesn't support this. After searching (and searching and searching) on it's website, it gives instruction about this:

http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/faqs/growingtogetherasequals.htm

While it doesn't come out and say "your chanting is useless unless you do this", it certainly doesn't indicate this is optional.

A yamabushi is a warrior priest, which is how I view myself, given my current situation. And I'm curious; what do you mean by "give it up"? I personally don't believe that SGI is a cult, per se, but I am new to it, and based on my limited knowledge, I like it.
Rev. Caleb Perkins, ninja and yamabushi

Well, as an SGI member, I'm glad you weren't told that you "would have to develop a "master/disciple" relationship with Daisaku Ikeda in order to get "full benefit" from chanting," since it's not true. But if you want those folks to stop calling, tell them you'll take out a legal restraining order if they don't stop. There is no excuse for ignoring the simple courtesy of not calling people who have told them they don't want calls. Best wishes - Brian

Hope you have a nice break.

I had a thought and wanted to share it. As a former member, I don't think SGI is a cult--at least not of the Charles Manson or Jim Jones ilk.

I do, however, think SGI is dishonest in its recruitment methods. I wasn't told that I would have to develop a "master/disciple" relationship with Daisaku Ikeda in order to get "full benefit" from chanting. I wasn't told about the excommunication. I wasn't told that SGI activities, for the most part, were more about PR and less about protesting injustice. I wasn't told that SGI uses different definitions for commonly used words such as "democracy" and "ecunemical". These things weren't explained to me until after I'd put a year into the organization.

I didn't necessarily feel victimized--though I wish they'd quit calling now that I've made it clear I don't want to chant with them anymore. Even worse, I can't find the dagburned box I stored the Gohonzon in so I can give it back! Blah! Maybe I should just confess that I lost it instead of telling them it's on the way?

Okay Rev. Caleb, give it up. What is a yamabushi?

Well, SGI, like every other organization, is a cult in some way; terrorism exists, and both you and I are Ninja. There, it didn't stop me.

Rev. Caleb Perkins, ninja and yamabushi