Ikedolotry

"On the Asian culture thing, I was just reaching for some explanation. I have heard that rationale. excuse for the ‘Ikedalotry.’ That it is just an Asian thing. I was also kind of reminded of the business people that paid for photo-ops with a former President. However, I do not think it is true that this is typical of Asia. I agree with you that actively seeking recognition is 180 degrees from what one would expect of a Buddhist; from East Asia or anywhere else.

At any rate, SGI does actively seek out honors for Ikeda; honorary degrees, literary awards, official Daisaku Ikeda Days, naming things after him, statues, photo ops of him with famous {and even infamous} people, and so on. I guess the intention is to provide him with the credentials of a VIP, a person of prestige and importance; as well as those of a great scholar, a great poet, a power broker, and so on.

It is all so excessive, it winds up looking contrived. It is like padding a resume. Or creating a cover. There might be a long paper trail; but no substance. SGI can present Ikeda as a person with all of these overwhelming credentials. However, people are going to want to know what he did, other than raising and donating lots of cash, to actually earn them." -- Robin Beck