Nichiren BuddhistMay 16, 2012 at 3:24 AM
10).In destructive cults, fear is a major motivator. Guilt is a close second, and shame is third. Only the cult leader is perfect, so everyone below is fearful that those above will find out their shortcomings. Cult members feel constantly guilty for having those real or imagined shortcomings, and are ashamed that they haven’t worked harder to get rid of them.
Maybe I’m in the minority but I’ve never experienced (or been made to feel) fear, guilt or shame.
Maybe I’m in the minority but I’ve never experienced (or been made to feel) fear, guilt or shame.
You are not very well read regarding your Sensei's guidance and poems, Do I really have to put them up here to prove my point? I will, you know. All those guidances about what happens to those traitors who abandon the Soka Gakkai, the poem, The Victorious Future of Mentor and disciple, for example. I actually feel sorry for you Nichiren Buddhist, Deeply sorry.
“Never talk about your problems to the members until they are resolved.”
Most of our discussion meetings usually have an element where someone talks impromptu about a problem or challenge in their lives and updates on how they are progressing.
When I’ve attended summer courses or other big events there are usually 2 or 3 outstanding experiences. They are motivational, but nothing compares to the progress I see in members in my district. When I’ve seen them in meetings in floods of tears talking about an insurmountable problem and watch the progress they make over the weeks and months ahead, you can see the transformation taking place. You then see a new more confident, happier person. This is the proof of this Buddhism, not hiding your problems and then talking about it afterwards. If members want to hide their problems, that’s up to them and I certainly wouldn’t force people to “confess all in front of the group”.
“Never talk about your problems to the members until they are resolved.”
Most of our discussion meetings usually have an element where someone talks impromptu about a problem or challenge in their lives and updates on how they are progressing.
When I’ve attended summer courses or other big events there are usually 2 or 3 outstanding experiences. They are motivational, but nothing compares to the progress I see in members in my district. When I’ve seen them in meetings in floods of tears talking about an insurmountable problem and watch the progress they make over the weeks and months ahead, you can see the transformation taking place. You then see a new more confident, happier person. This is the proof of this Buddhism, not hiding your problems and then talking about it afterwards. If members want to hide their problems, that’s up to them and I certainly wouldn’t force people to “confess all in front of the group”.
Before or after the experiences at big events were edited by a higher up leader? As far as tears and then progress towards " an insurmountable problem", many people, whether Buddhist or not, are overcoming "insurmountable problems" every day and everywhere. What is important is a correct faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra which leads to Buddhahood, This one can not find in the Soka Gakkai.
Similarly, when members have left the Soka Gakkai, we have tried to encourage them to continue with their faith, but have never wished any of them ill will or gloated if they subsequently experienced suffering in their lives.
Similarly, when members have left the Soka Gakkai, we have tried to encourage them to continue with their faith, but have never wished any of them ill will or gloated if they subsequently experienced suffering in their lives.
Let us not speak falsely now, the hour is getting late. “Let us proudly advance on the supreme road to Kosen rufu as we bring an end to the Nikken sect, which has now become an evil existence and having destroyed the Law of True Buddhism, can only be detrimental to society.” -- Daisaku Ikeda WT, March 1, 1993, p. 4
"One after another, these thankless traitors who had appeared among the Daishonin's followers met untimely deaths -- several of them being thrown from their horses. Daishonin declares that their fate constitutes "punishment for their treachery against the Lotus Sutra," and he identifies that punishment as"conspicuous and individual" ("On Persecution Befalling the Sage," WND, 997). As many of you may know, those who betrayed their faith and forgot their debt of gratitude by turning on the Soka Gakkai -- an organization acting in complete accord with the Buddha's intent and decree -- are *all* meeting the most pitiful, wretched ends." -- Guess who?
Really? All those millions of people who left the Gakkai? Those tens of thousands of people who converted to the Nichiren Shoshu, Nichiren Shu, Honmon Butsuryu Shu, Kempon Hokke, or those who went independent? Leaving the Gakkai is not turning on the Gakkai? How many who have left the Gakkai have many good things to say about the Gakkai? One or two?
11).Destructive cult members swing from emotional highs, to emotional lows regularly. Lows are not long tolerated, and result in more indoctrination, or even ejection from the group if they last too long.
Here are some examples of SGI speech used to control their members: “You have weak faith.”. ‘You had better go for guidance if you want to resolve that problem”. Rumors to stay away from depressed individuals. Not inviting less than enthusiastic members to certain meetings or not telling them about “important” meetings. Lectures about “emotionalism”, [unless the emotion is rapture about the SGI and the mentor]. Every last former SGI cult member will attest to this.
From my experience of the SGI, lows provide you with an opportunity to grow and advance in faith, which ultimately proves the effectiveness of the practice, so I don’t know why you would be encouraged to stay home or avoid such people. I’m always inspired by the depth of faith of members that can come to a meeting while in the depths of their suffering. It shows that they feel safe within the district and acknowledges the non-judgemental compassionate attitude that we as members share.
Here are some examples of SGI speech used to control their members: “You have weak faith.”. ‘You had better go for guidance if you want to resolve that problem”. Rumors to stay away from depressed individuals. Not inviting less than enthusiastic members to certain meetings or not telling them about “important” meetings. Lectures about “emotionalism”, [unless the emotion is rapture about the SGI and the mentor]. Every last former SGI cult member will attest to this.
From my experience of the SGI, lows provide you with an opportunity to grow and advance in faith, which ultimately proves the effectiveness of the practice, so I don’t know why you would be encouraged to stay home or avoid such people. I’m always inspired by the depth of faith of members that can come to a meeting while in the depths of their suffering. It shows that they feel safe within the district and acknowledges the non-judgemental compassionate attitude that we as members share.
You are not yet a former SGI cult member. Not my experience nor the experience of any of the hundreds of thousands of former SGI cult members. Those I have known who contracted serious diseases that weren't cured fairly rapidly or who suffered severe protracted loss [unless they were top leaders], were treated as pariahs.
I often find people that are less than enthusiastic about Buddhism ask the best questions at meetings. This could be a guest at a meeting, someone at the start of their faith that wants clarification or even a member of 10+ years that is having a crisis of faith. These questions can reveal the limitations in their understanding which we can try to explain to them. This can also highlight the limitations of other members within the district that chant sincerely and seem to know what they are talking about, but whose explanations are not in accord with Nichiren Buddhism.
I often find people that are less than enthusiastic about Buddhism ask the best questions at meetings. This could be a guest at a meeting, someone at the start of their faith that wants clarification or even a member of 10+ years that is having a crisis of faith. These questions can reveal the limitations in their understanding which we can try to explain to them. This can also highlight the limitations of other members within the district that chant sincerely and seem to know what they are talking about, but whose explanations are not in accord with Nichiren Buddhism.
No unenthusiastic [about Sensei] member will ever be allowed to speak for more than a minute.
Every last SGI member's or leader's explanations are not in accord with Nichiren Buddhism. Interfaith, for example, is not in accord with Nichiren Buddhism. The "great benefit" of chanting for a female marijuana seed is not in accord with the Daishonin's Buddhism. A living mentor in the seat of the Law is not in accord with the Daishonin's Buddhism. The Daigohonzon itself is not in accord with the Daishonin's Buddhism, nor the Nichikan Gohonzon, nor chanting Nam Myoho renge kyo instead of Namu Myoho renge kyo.
Discussion meetings are a place to discuss, not just to sit and listen to indoctrination and I’ve never heard of anyone in the UK being turned away from a meeting. Although, another Buddhist sect I used to attend (can’t remember the sect but it involved silent meditation – discussion group – silent meditation) asked me not to attend because my questions were confusing the other members!!
ReplyDeleteDiscussion meetings are a place to discuss, not just to sit and listen to indoctrination and I’ve never heard of anyone in the UK being turned away from a meeting. Although, another Buddhist sect I used to attend (can’t remember the sect but it involved silent meditation – discussion group – silent meditation) asked me not to attend because my questions were confusing the other members!!
Lying again. Confusing members about the greatness or lack of greatness or mistakes of Sensei, or even the perception of confusing members, is considered Ha Wagoso, breaking the unity of believers. Yet, speaking about general members or lower level leaders in less than glowing terms or even downright slander is not only tolerated, it is encouraged.