SGI member Alann refused to address the issue of his manipulative and slanderous bull baiting of me, an SGI critic. His words would have led the reader to believe that I advocate killing in the name of Nichiren’s Gohonzon.
I responded: Now Jim is blaming people’s deaths on me. Just yesterday Alann asserted I would kill him if I had the opportunity. Do you really want to belong to a sect (actually a cult) represented by such men? If it is merely their views, then they should be censured by their peers, shouldn’t they? I will not hold my breath. Anyway, it would be better to outlaw the one evil doctrine of the SGI than to offer up ten thousand prayers. Bentetsu is right when he says, the Ita Mandara (DaiGohonzon) breeds evil men.
Alann: Mark, you have revealed yourself beyond all question to be a liar with no respect for truth whatsoever. I never made any such assertions.
Mark: No? Let us recap what you said: “Then the sheer volume of words must eventually take effect and you will have some new members. However great your own self control and however deep your commitment to the Buddhist ideal of non violence, the seeds of hate and intolerance you sow in the hearts of new believers cannot fail to blossom one day into a harvest of ugly and destructive violence.”
According to you, my words “will lead to ugly and destructive violence?” What is “ugly and destructive violence”? One must conclude that you attribute killing and murder to my words. The only (and logical) conclusion of “ugly and destructive violence ” is killing and murder. Do you think that because you didn’t come out and say "killing and murder", the import of your words doesn’t mean just that?
I responded: Now Jim is blaming people’s deaths on me. Just yesterday Alann asserted I would kill him if I had the opportunity. Do you really want to belong to a sect (actually a cult) represented by such men? If it is merely their views, then they should be censured by their peers, shouldn’t they? I will not hold my breath. Anyway, it would be better to outlaw the one evil doctrine of the SGI than to offer up ten thousand prayers. Bentetsu is right when he says, the Ita Mandara (DaiGohonzon) breeds evil men.
Alann: Mark, you have revealed yourself beyond all question to be a liar with no respect for truth whatsoever. I never made any such assertions.
Mark: No? Let us recap what you said: “Then the sheer volume of words must eventually take effect and you will have some new members. However great your own self control and however deep your commitment to the Buddhist ideal of non violence, the seeds of hate and intolerance you sow in the hearts of new believers cannot fail to blossom one day into a harvest of ugly and destructive violence.”
According to you, my words “will lead to ugly and destructive violence?” What is “ugly and destructive violence”? One must conclude that you attribute killing and murder to my words. The only (and logical) conclusion of “ugly and destructive violence ” is killing and murder. Do you think that because you didn’t come out and say "killing and murder", the import of your words doesn’t mean just that?
The SGI has been using subtle mind control techniques and psychological manipulation since its inception to sow the seeds of hatred. Haven’t you seen the, “I denounce the Soka Gakkai” articles from 1970? You have been so indoctrinated that you don’t even see that you use psychological mind control techniques. As Nichiren says: “They have slandered so long that it is as natural for them as playing in a garden.” You have been proven to have lied and slandered me. I don’t need an apology. All I ask is that you reflect on yourself and your faith.
Alann then wrote, to drive home his point: “The endless wars in the Mideast between Jews and Muslims, and between rival Muslim sects, all trace their roots to disputes in interpretation and succession, eerily similar to ours.”
I retorted: Your calumny was already sown when you wrote, “However great your own self control and however deep your commitment to the Buddhist ideal of non violence, the seeds of hate and intolerance you sow in the hearts of new believers cannot fail to blossom one day into a harvest of ugly and destructive violence.” Perhaps you thought this view was too extreme, in light of the history of non-violence of the Kempon Hokke (in contradistinction to the history of the SGI) or perhaps you wish to make your slanderous view more palatable to the readers, so you now send a mixed message: “The endless wars in the Mideast between Jews and Muslims, and between rival Muslim sects, all trace their roots to disputes in interpretation and succession eerily similar to ours.” This may lead the less astute reader of your post to equate my words with “killing and murder” and possibly to equate me with killing and murder. Is this not what the Nembutsu priests did to the disciples of Nichiren, claiming that we were taking up arms against them (only the SGI is even more subtle in their calumny)?
Alann then wrote: “In my view it’s only a short step from celebrating or mocking one anothers deaths to actively seeking to bring about one anothers deaths.”
I replied: Here you once again attempted to lead the reader to equate what I wrote about the SGI, their leaders and members untoward deaths, “To bringing about one another’s deaths.” This again is like the provisional Buddhists attacking Nichiren for what he said about the Nembutsu priests in the Rissho Ankoku Ron without taking cognizance of his qualifying statements a few short passages later. The SGI is a master at sowing the seeds of hatred and impugning the character of their detractors.
and
According to you, pointing out the reality and actuality of someone’s death is the same as celebrating or mocking another's death but Nagarjuna, Tientai, and Nichiren also employed this teaching device.
According to you, pointing out the reality and actuality of someone’s death is the same as celebrating or mocking another's death but Nagarjuna, Tientai, and Nichiren also employed this teaching device.
Alann [towards the end of his post, he again reverted to SGI’s time honored cult technique of bull baiting]: “I ask you honestly, if you were to kill me and go home and do gongyo to your “Nichiren” Gohonzon, would you still be ‘free from fault, as one part poison mixed with 1,000 parts water’?”
I responded: As if I know what it would be like to kill someone, as if I had even entertained the thought.
Alann then posted: “You claimed in an earlier post as a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin you are rendered ‘free from fault, as 1 part poison mixed with 1,000,000 parts water.’ ”
and I wrote: That is the power of a correct faith and practice, exactly as Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra teach.
Then, despite Alann’s repeated denials that he made the above statements, he peristed:
"I asked, please note that word ASKED, you, in light of this absurd claim, a simple QUESTION: “If you were to kill me today and go home and do gongyo to your ‘Nichiren’ Gohonzon, would you still be free from fault ?” That was (and is) my QUESTION, anyone doubting this can check for themselves.”
I responded: He was taking his question out of context to prove that I lied about his true intentions but in fact, it only served to validate what I said: That he attempted to plant the seed in people’s minds that my words are akin to killing and murder and therefore I would have no compunction in killing him or any SGI in the name of my Nichiren Gohonzon. I then wrote, “you may call it a simple question but I call it a loaded question as was your entire post.”
Alann then wrote: “The thread in question in Alternate Religion Buddhism of Nichiren is ‘apparent deceptions and double standards of the sgi’ the date is 10/2/98 7:27pm. Please check it out.”
Mark: By all means, check it out.
Alann: This clearly and irrefutably establishes that Rogow is a shameless liar and a deluded sociopath who uses religion to satisfy his strange need for superiority.
Mark: On the contrary, we see once again why the thread is entitled: ‘apparent deceptions and double standards of the sgi’
Allan: I made no assertions or accusations and mentioned nothing about ‘having the chance’, yet Rogow KNOWING THIS claims otherwise.
Mark: The SGI never comes out and says what it really means. Their members invariably resort to subtle psychological manipulation to destroy faith in whomever they perceive as their enemies. That is known as deception. Double standards refers to their outcries when another demonstrates himself or herself to be less than perfect.
Allan: I shall view him henceforth as the liar he has proven himself to be and I shall regard all of his posts as tainted by deception. I honestly regard this as an outrage and, in light of his constant hectoring, I beseech you all to investigate this yourselves and denounce him for the liar that he has beyond all question of interpretation, proven himself to be.
Mark: Then, I received the following comment [which I trashed] from Saad: “Stop hating and get a life. Secondly what have you done lately besides bad mouthing people who want something in their life. Developed a website that really is not about nothing. Is this your legacy to mankind? I only came across it because I googled Rock the Era and wanted to see what a nay sayer had to say. You are pitiful. I am going to send you some daimoku. Also peace happiness and love to you brother. Put some effort into something positive and you may make something of your life before you leave this earth. Peace out and don’t bother to respond because I am done with you!”
SGI members have been slandering me for 20 years, almost on a daily basis, despite backing up my assertions with photographs, quotes, and historical fact.
Anyone who remains in the SGI or is thinking of joining, remember that the Nichikan Gohonzon leads invariably to misfortune and breeds evil men.
Just about a month ago I was responding to Mark's forthright assertions that the manner and circumstances of the deaths of specific SGI leaders were significant for demonstrating the effects of slander of the Lotus Sutra and the effects of distorting the teachings of Nichiren. I was critical of these pronouncements, and my comments reflect that I was criticizing from my own personal views, and my own discomfort with this issue. I was challenged and admonished WITH textual references to Nichiren's writings, which is ultimately why I desisted and then revised my views.
ReplyDeleteI have continued to study Nichiren's writings on this topic and chanting daimoku, seeking to accept and believe in these teachings, or rather, I sought refuge in the Lotus Sutra. My experience may provide a revealing contrast between *seeking the Buddha* and *employing tactics* as a means for resolving disputes over correct faith and correct practice of the Lotus Sutra.
"As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils will emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere" ... This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations."
Apparently, Alann had not yet encountered Buddhist teachings on the profound connection between the type of death we experience and the life we have lived? Maybe he had never read even one--of many- of Nichiren's writings where he expounded the crucial aspect of the condition of our faith at the moment of our death? No doubt he, like me, had not realized that Nichiren made numerous references to the manner in which a prominent priest, monk or *Buddhist leader* died, placing emphasis on the significance of that person's followers learning IF he was a true and worthy priest, monk, Buddhist leader. Those who discard or distort the True teaching and lead others to slander the Lotus Sutra are certain to meet with an untimely, fearsome death.
"Thus, as the Lotus sutra says, the curses in the end "rebound upon the originator". "
One who is aware of this matter, but keeps silent and does not warn others, is also committing the grave offense of disregarding (slandering) the Lotus Sutra. When one speaks out truthfully in accordance with the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren assures us .... we will encounter truly agonizing ordeals.
"Finally, all were convinced that I was the gravest offender in the entire nation, for it was said that in my capacity as a priest, I was saying prayers and spells for the destruction of Japan, and that I had reported that the late lay priests... had fallen into the hell of incessant suffering."
"You would do well to inquire carefully just how these men met death. If it had not been for me, people would have believed that these priests had attained Buddhahood."
" You should realize that the manner of the death of Kobo, Jikaku, and the others indicated that a truly miserable fate was in store for them. But their disciples contrived to keep the matter secret."
"Therefore, those who endeavor to practice the Buddhist Law and who care about what happens to them in future lives, should know what a fearful thing it is to slander the Lotus Sutra."
And those are the ones who will widely propagate the teachings of Lotus Sutra *exactly* as Nichiren taught.
"...[they] were all eminent priests, but one should inquire what kind of death they met with."
~Katie
Anyone who remains in the SGI or is thinking of joining is courting unfathomable misfortune.
ReplyDelete"A wise person, while dwelling in security, anticipates danger; a perverse one, while dwelling amid danger, takes security for granted,"
The former refers to Nichiren's followers in general and votaries of the Lotus Sutra, like Mark, specifically. The latter refers to the SGI generally and those who berate, denounce and abuse the votary of the Lotus Sutra, like Alann and Saad, specifically !!
~Katie
I am an unworthy follower of Nichiren [in many ways], weak and irresolute. In some ways, however, I must be a votary of the Lotus Sutra because I advocate for the same faith and practice as Nichiren while confronting the enemies of the Lotus Sutra.
ReplyDeleteNot wanting to exemplify any one of the *9 types of arrogance*- I do want to acknowledge the evidence of your taking on an extremely sensitive matter from the understanding you have gained, as it does clearly demonstrate-- both in the actions you have taken and the responses you have received, that you are votary of the Lotus Sutra, a true disciple of Nichiren.
ReplyDeleteI mean to say, or other, to emphasize that in my humble opinion, understanding the significance of upholding the Law as the highest form of reverence for the *dignity of life* reflects your depth of study. Only when holding up our beliefs and actions to the clear mirror of the Lotus Sutra, as taught by Nichiren, is it possible to discern the true intentions and the great significance of confronting the enemies of the Lotus Sutra.
Excellent, Mark -- truly.
~Katie
TY katie. you too!
ReplyDelete