i like your honesty. there is much i could say, but i will just say, continue to study the real teachings. put your faith in the lotus sutra(myoho renge kyo) and its true teachings. seek them where you can find them. this will lead to a deeper understanding and a deeper faith.

again, i applaud your honesty. it takes courage.

I’m not sure what traveling beads are, but I think these are pretty. http://www.nichiren-shu.org/books.html#bracelet I especially like the jade or amethyst.

What Greg R said above is good advice. If you follow it, you will eventually find an answer to the question, “Where do I go?” When you are deeply involved in SGI, it is hard to see that there is an answer, but in actuality, there are many.

Greg R found his answer and I found mine, and we are both in infinitely better spots than we were before.

Being in SGI is like the frog that sits in the pot and slowly boils without realizing it. But, if he jumps out, he realizes, “Omigosh! This feels so much better! There is life outside the pot!”

‘do not confuse nichirens lotus sutra buddhism with ikedaism or any other perversion of the true and real teachings’ ‘get good translations of the teachings’
good advice. also read the essays by Graham Lamont-they have many good quotes from the gosho and lotus sutra.
turn off your mind and let your heart decide-(thomas dolby)
gassho

Ah so! Gotcha!! You’ll should post some of the questions to the study exam to help others that didn’t pass…How detailed was it? Concerning the beads are you looking for classy or different. I saw some short wrist wearable juzu beads online that looked really cool. Is there a way for someone to contact you off blog? Take care and keep posting. You’ve got some really thought provoking blogs on here that I love to read. I’m always going back to your web site/blog.

Hmmm.. I stumbled on this website and blog while doing some “surfing” for WND On Obtaining Buddhahood. First, I have to identify myself as an SGI District Leader, living in Okinawa Japan, practicing under Soka Gakkai Japan organization (and that can be interesting..lol) but with mostly American members who identify culturally more with SGI-USA.

First, I found some of the background material and discussions on the the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin intersting and helpful. So, thank you to the writer and those who post.

Next, on the subject of the new Chapter Leader and the SGI… I have struggled myself with balancing my general distrust of big organizations and their organizational dogma versus the true value and purpose of my practice. And I have chanted a lot of Daimoku about this (to my benefit I believe, so in that manner I can still appreciate this struggle).

The SGI (or any organization) is made up of PEOPLE and because of that it also inherently possesses all the faults and imperfections inherent within the life conditions of its members. The minute we start to see the SGI and/or its members or leaders as the reasons for our struggles or unhappiness then we are immediately falling into the 4 evil paths. Every time I feel this way I redirect my Daimoku to focus on “how can I change myself”, “what can I do for the members” and if I see a Leader struggling with the ability to do the same, then I chant for that Leader also. EVERYTHING is up to us, and if we fail or give up it is nobody’s fault but our own. This is what the Buddha, Nichiren, and President Ikeda have tried to teach us.

wrt President Ikeda. I have learned that I have to build my own relationship with Sensei. It cannot but “thrust” upon me. What other people feel or say is their own view and I should not let it affect my feelings and I should also not look down on them for their viewpoints (but I should correct them if they are in error to the teachings/Gosho).
btw, I use the word Sensei not as a glorification or “supreme” title but more as the word is really intended in common Japanese as “teacher” or somebody worthy of respect and appreciation.

Shakyamuni, Nicheren, and the SGI Presidents have never asked us to worship or idolize them, in fact just the opposite. Those members (or followers of other Buddhist sects) who choose to do so are missing the point and probably not making progress in their lives. The lineage is one of Teacher and Student… Mentor and Disciple. This is a cooperative relationship of mutual respect and reverence, not one of authoritarian dogma. The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha (or Nichiren, or Daisaku Ikeda… or any other great compassionate world figure) lies in their behavior as a human being. Nothing more, nothing less. They are there to provide an example for us to emulate (but not imitate) and to provide encouragement and guidance… to show us the “path”, but its up to us to stay on the path. If we want to apply any other attributes to these individuals then we do so at our own peril and ignorance.

To practice Buddhism in modern society is a struggle at best.. to practice within an organization such as the SGI can be a source of frustration and resentment. BUT we have to realize that it is OUR choice to feel the way we do, and I have found that harboring feelings of frustration and resentment only feeds my own delusion. A value oriented focus of my Daimoku for myself and others allows me to see the benefits of the SGI and its members in helping me to continue on this long journey. AND, without the cooperative gathering of SGI members in our Discussion Meetings, I am not sure how it would be possible to actively share (through dialogue, not blogging) this Buddhism with others. For that opportunity I am eternally grateful, since practice for others is the only thing that truly leads us toward our own enlightenment.

As much as it is difficult to appreciate one’s parents during our adolescent years, it can be the same in this situation as we are struggling with our own fundamental darkness. But, if you don’t give up, naturally you will come to a realization that ALL of our struggles (since they emanate from our life condition and Karma) were the fuel the realize our enlightenment and the Buddha nature that exists in all things.

btw, if you have not seen the PBS series, The Buddha, I recommend you watch it (the whole thing.. you can find it on YouTube.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qicaDyNNZQQ ). It may remind you of why we are practicing Buddhism. Whether you are SGI or not, practicing Buddhist or not, I understand the daily struggles we all must face and I hope you find whatever path that truly leads you in that direction. good fortune and peace. kluso

Hi Greg… no need to apologize to me for your comments, I can tell you already have given up on SGI so there is nothing I could ever say to convince you otherwise… we obviously disagree and I will leave it at that with my heart open to your sincerity.

I chant everyday and I am fortunate to see the benefits in my life and those around me.. Its my Daimoku, not sombody else’s… but I do appreciate that I have some way to connect face-to-face to other human beings that are going through the same daily struggles and that I can speak to them and others about this Buddhism. Without the SGI and President Ikeda and the lineage of mentors down through Nichiren and Shakyamuni, I would never have made it to this place. Appreciation is a vital attribute to realize our enlightenment, and I place mine squarely where it is deserved with the intent to do all “I” can to make the SGI better (I agree, it can be better) in order to repay my debt of gratitude.

My previous comments were intended for nt who seems to be struggling… its strong encouragement and its intended to point out that his/her(?) complaints are mostly directed at others and the “organization” … to resent and blame others is NOT Buddhism no matter how you color it or who you practice with. Strong and sincere Daimoku is highly recommended in this case… I will be chanting with you nt.

My last “blog” input here because I see little value to discuss this issue in this type of forum … because in the end its all up to us individually … Nichiren himself said (to paraphrase) “I’ve told you all how to practice, so if you screw it up, don’t blame Nichiren” (or anybody else).
thanks all for your time to read this. nt, you can find me on Facebook at Rick (Kluso) Tollini if want to have one-on-one dialogue. Kluso “out” - Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

kluso, your first debt of gratitude is to shakyamuni, the lotus sutra and nichiren, not to ikeda and the sgi. this proves my point that most sgi members know nothing of the teachings.

read the teachings.

study the teachings blind clown.

Start chanting FOR kosen rufu - just Kosen Rufu…stop judgements about people. stop having a dialogue with yourself as you chant …really chant that peace is established ….no mater what and everyone becomes happy

and tell me how you feel in a few days.

Buddhist prayer is truly awesome medecine in this age for overcoming our confused befuddled and egoloving minds.

x

Peace is the ends not the means. The means is spreading the correct faith and practice, not Ikedaisim. Don’t worry Plutonium Chrysanthemeum, we will right the wrongs of the Soka Gakkai. Keep donating to your corrupt leaders to support their exorbitant salaries. This is their piece, a piece of your pie.

I’m finally going to reply to several of these comments.

Van: I am still a member of SGI. I still hold the position of Chapter leader.

Joe: It’s been too long, let’s talk.

Kluso: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am glad that you can compartmentalize your practice. I some times have problems with that. I have to agree with Greg R though, much, if not all, of what SGI “teaches” - at least in the US - is Ikedaism. Every point goes back to Ikeda. For all the talk of soft power, the SGI is still very hard power because it is a Japanese organization.

Greg R.: Thank you for your thoughts. There is too much to comment on all of it. As I mentioned in the original post, I have begun to study again. I’m still lazy, but I’m trying.

Plutonium: Chanting for Kosen Rufu. What is that? What is the English translation? In fact, I’m making that a Question of the Week. If the SGI is working for world peace, then why does it hate the priesthood. Why over 20 years of hate dressed up as education.

Hi, I practise with SGI in Canada since 1982. It is refreshing to read all the various comments as I can certainly relate to the constant contradictions between publications and real life district issues. Case in point, I was to be an MC for our women’s mtg on Saturday however I was feeling very fatigued lately and felt I needed to rest and stop running… My district leader said I was letting the district down and its needs! Crazy.. Behavior speaks so loud I can’t hear what you’re saying

Today I left my “SGI denouncing” letter at an older acquantances house. I would LOVE to see the look on her face as she read it-she would curse me to HIGH HEAVEN!!! It’s kind of funny considering how bad she disrespected me on the phone. I made the comment over the phone that Islam(the religion, not the people) should be wiped off the face of the earth(and I think I said Christianity too). I am positive I said Christianity too-even more so Christianity because Nichiren had time and time again denounced Pure Land Buddhism because it slandered the Law-Nembutsu might as well have been “Japanese Christianity”. I have said time and time again to her that Christianity, Islam, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc, ALL slander the Law. She told me over and over again that I don’t know what I am talking about(I am 32 and she has been chanting longer than I have been alive). She screamed at me “YOU DON’T HAVE THE F$#@INC RIGHT!!!” when I said Islam should be wiped off the face of the earth(Nichiren would have said the same if he were alive today I think). I was on the Roosevelt during Operation Enduring Freedom, and I was on the Truman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was also stationed in Japan when North Korea fired missles at the US that landed off the coast of Western Japan-I also have an honorable discharge. She has never been in the military. She also told me that I “have to listen to her.” She grew up Catholic, I used to be an in your face, Bible Thumping Charasmatic Christian. She wouldn’t know TRUE protestant theology from a hole in her head. I told her in this letter for one, that I will never speak to her again. I also told her that all of those “good Christians” around at all the Baptists churches near her that SGI protects instead of pointing out the contradictions in the Bible to truly SHAKABUKU(not Shoju) them, if left in her house for not even five minutes alone they would be more than happy to DESTROY her Gohonzon(to lead her away from “idolatry” and back to Jesus to save her from going to hell). She told me I don’t know what I am talking about. I called SGI a “religious corporation” and I would have no more of the Ikeda worship. I also said that I was thinking about joining the Kempon Hokke because they are more than happy to rebuke slander of the Law and follow the Law not Ikeda worship. I hope she shows EVERY SGI member within about a 100 mile radius(there were some that I respected, they didn’t mindlessly follow Ikeda), but the majority were brain washed. I am just glad to have gotten that over with.

dear friend of the daishonin, i admire your courage and conviction. i am hardly capable of answering all of you thoughts and questions. however, you have really encouraged me because, for sure , you have not lost your seeking mind for real buddhism when many have(sad). the lotus sutra and nichirens buddhism are one and the same. they are not two. nichiren spent his whole life trying to bring the people of his time back to the correct teachings of the lotus sutra and shakyamuni buddha(even at the risk of his own life). when one takes faith and chants namu myoho renge kyo with faith in the eternal buddhas teachings(the lotus sutra) the buddha-eye begins to open. this is not the common mortal eye. here, we are speaking of the buddha-eye. this is unlocked and opened through correct faith and practice as nichiren described (only those with faith can enter). as ones faith develops the buddha eye opens more and more. there is humongus benefit as the buddha-eye opens. any perversion of the teachings will not open the buddha-eye. in fact, it will have the opposite effect. nichiren says it this way; “the mystic principle of the true aspect of reality is one, but if it encounters evil influences, it will manifest delusion, while if it encounters good influences , it will manifest enlightenment. enlightenment means enlightenment to the essential nature of phenomena, and delusion, ignorance of it”. this is a big deal. not a matter to take lightly. evil influence are those that twist, change, or use the pure teachings for their own gain(power, money, popularity , ego or comfort). this is not good. good influences are shakyamuni and his emissary nichiren and anyone who upholds the correct teachings and faith. left to the sgi and others, real buddhism will be lost. to allow this to happen is frightful.

i have been a nichirens buddhist in this country for 44 years. i gave my entire youth to the sgi and nichiren shoshu, played a big part in the nsa/sgi growth in this country. only to discover they both never taught nichirens buddhism correctly and both have used these wonderful teachings for their own gain , and, year by year they have become much worse. the only samgha that i have found that teaches and upholds the real teachings is the kempon hokke. they have not sold out for personal gain or popularity. the benefit i have received is beyond words. check out the kempon site on FWP and observe or ask any questions you like. all questions are welcome. it is full of real buddhism. however, i will just say, we uphold the teachings as nichiren did. we do not back-up one inch from slander of the buddhas dharma to anyone. we love people who have not lost their seeking mind.

or if you prefer, you may email me and we can get more specific. [email protected]

thank you friend.

I’ve had these same issues for a few months now. I still practice but I could give two shits about SGI anymore. Guess I’m a kindred spirit in regards to your grievences. However, I just don’t care anymore. My practice has been greatly enhanced now that I’ve abandoned the Ikeda-centric dogmatic bullshit.

My apologies for the vulgarness however for I now call it as I see it. Rumors of my doubts have presisted and now the SGI Damage Control come knocking on my door because they not helping themselves out by quoting what “Sensei says.” What Sensei says is what brought me here in the first place.

I won’t encourage you for I don’t know the true specifics of your situation. Hopefully honest chanting will reveal what’s really in your heart.