SGI claims that one is "always protected" in the SGI even when too many young members die untoward and preventable deaths. The untoward death of a believer, one of the Four Devils [of the Three Obstacles and Four Devils], is an exceedingly rare occurance in the lives of the votaries of the Lotus Sutra. On the other hand, in the lives of Soka Gakkai members, especially leaders, it is a fairly common occurance as can testify Daisaku Ikeda, Guy McCloskey, and the now deceased Shin Yatomi and David Kasahara.
The last time I saw Kasahara he was a heavy smoker. He wasn't exactly young. Following precepts safeguards our wisdom, not to mention health. If there is one thing Nichirenists
ReplyDeletecan all agree, they're excused from almsgiving, precepts and practicing the remaining paramitas. Enjoy your sushi!
He's been dead for severasl years. Heart related, fairly sudden. He ruined a lot of lives.
ReplyDeleteHe had a heart condition. Yes, impermanence is sudden sometimes.
Delete>He ruined a lot of lives.
What? He was molesting members? I know a person who blamed David and another leader for ruining his life. This person was removed from his lowly leadership position for whatever. If this person was not so attached to his status and title, he would have been able to forgive and get on with his life. Isn't this like a spoiled teenager blaming a parent for ruining his life?
"Forgive those
who unintentionally hurt us
Do not be someone
who is easily hurt by others" Shih Cheng Yen
He did indeed abuse members. If you want specific examples I can supply them. Assigning blame is non-Buddhist? I don't think so. Even the lowly Dhammapada and the Buddha's Eight Wrong Views characterizes to whom and to what to ascribe blame for causing suffering.
ReplyDelete"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy."
ReplyDeleteRobert Tew
Not always easy ohgee. The Stockholm syndrome phenomena is one example of the difficulty in leaving an abusive/oppressive relationship. Another is the thought control/ behavioral modification techniques employed by cults and the military.. The top echelons of the Soka Gakkai and, to a lesser extent, the military, are populated by leaders formally trained in psychology.
ReplyDeleteSigh, now I feel disrespected that Nagashima didn't employ such techniques on me or at the very least, put a tail on me as he so enjoys.
ReplyDelete