From an online discussion about an online discussion about the SGI's weird and creepy "Gandhi-King-Ikeda" exhibit
I know, kinda meta - a dream-within-a-dream kinda theme:
I hope not to offend the SGI members who come here, but this is just odd. There's a traveling exhibition titled "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" currently parked at a high school in Ontario. The exhibition focuses on Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Daisaku Ikeda to show how to work toward world peace. It's been traveling around for about a year, I take it, but I just stumbled into it today.
If you're struggling to place Daisaku Ikeda: He is the president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a lay Nichiren Buddhist organization. I'm sure he's a nice fella, and I'm aware that he has directed SGI into doing a lot of good work. But does he belong in the same league with Gandhi and King? I'd like to give SGI members a chance to explain why he does.
Response #25, from "Luisa," who says she is a psychotherapist, is interesting because it reflects the way a lot of SGI members and leaders argue.
We've talked about "Luisa" before:
Luisa: "Barbara, All these negative remarks about President Ikeda are off the mark. They are fear based and inaccurate.
As a Soka Gakai Buddhist and psychotherapist SGI Buddhism does not confuse Buddhism and Psychology.
President Ikeda is honored per se by members because he sees us and we see us as no lesser capacity than he or Nichiren Daishonin or Shakyamuni Buddha. We are hence no lesser than and of no less capacity I say.
The proof is that one by one each of us are in fact transforming our lives home, work and environments slowly but surely and are trully becoming happy individuals. Ultimately this is the purpose to attain fulfillement create value that is what Soka means create value.
I am sure by reading these comments above that none of these individuals who have commented negatively about the SGI or President Ikeda have ever spent a moment in reading about the history of our movement nor have they read any of President Ikeda’s writings. That we can and will and do overcome the four sufferings in life as described by Shakyamuni Buddha to attain absoulute happines is proof enough and will continue to be. Thank you! With My Deep Respect and Appreciation for these comments,
people are stirring and I am not surprised, freedom at the same time is most empowering as well as can create fear-"
(1) Luisa mentions fear at the beginning and end of her comments. Why? I didn't find anything about fear in Barbara's piece, nor in the preceding 24 comments. People were just asking what exactly Ikeda has done that would make him the equal of Gandhi and Dr. King. How is that fearful? This is a typical SGI argument. If you don't agree with them, you are blind, afraid, stubborn, or something uncomplimentary. SGI members often go for a personal attack of critics rather than having good arguments to rebut their critics.
And honestly, it's SGI that uses fear to manipulate people. Leaders tell members that their lives are going to fall apart if they leave or criticize SGI.
(2) She says SGI Buddhism does not confuse Buddhism and psychology. Well, who said it did? The issue was what Ikeda has accomplished. Luisa is introducing a topic that is totally unrelated to this argument, and arguing against something that nobody said! This is also typical of SGI members when they are losing an argument. Let's throw in something totally irrelevant!
Luisa is the one who mentioned that critics of SGI are fearful, perhaps of freedom...it sounds as if SHE's the one confusing Buddhism and psychology. (Or she would be if SGI were actually Buddhism.)
(3) Ikeda sees his followers as his equals? Then why is he the mentor and everyone else is supposed to be the disciples? SGI members ARE of no less capacity than Ikeda -- I agree with that, but does SGI actually teach and believe that? My experience is that it doesn't.
DEFINITELY not. Any more than Christianity teaches that Jesus and all people are equal. HA.
(4) ALL the SGI members are transforming their lives for the better? Really? How in the world could she know what ALL the SGI members are doing?
Many of us have seen that a lot of members seem to be struggling with the same problems year after year. Many of us have noted that our friends and relatives who are still in SGI really don't appear to be any more successful, healthy or happy than nonmembers from similar backgrounds.
Definitely this ^
Some members actually seem to be held back by SGI. The amount of time that they spend on SGI activities keeps them from spending time improving their education, advancing in a career, or maintaining good family relationships. Many of us who have left have found that our lives are better for many reasons -- less guilt and manipulation, more time for the things and people that really matter to us.
AND this ^
(5) Critics of SGI cannot possibly have read anything by him? Well, given his penchant for using ghostwriters, I don't know how much of his work I actually have read. :-) But again, Luisa is making assumptions and attacking. She can't possibly know how much any posters have read of Ikeda's work. Most sounded very knowledgeable, I thought. But as far as she's concerned, anyone who criticizes Ikeda is just ignorant. So typical of how SGI members attack critics. Does she realize that many of us don't think much of Ikeda because we HAVE read his writings? (Again, if the writings were even actually written by him, and not the ghostwriter.)
(6) She says she has respect and appreciation for these comments. I don't know, so far this does not sound very respectful or appreciative to me.
She thanks Barbara for giving her the opportunity to tell SGI critics how ignorant and fearful they really are. Well, at least she's trying to be polite.
(7) And that ending -- if you disagree with Ikeda, you must be afraid of freedom. And have a nice day!
"You're a worthless scum-sucking jerkface stupidhead and I hope you die. Toodles! 😙"
And this woman says she's a psychotherapist? Please. This is an individual who makes huge assumptions about people she knows nothing about. She speaks of respect and yet insults anyone who disagrees with her. If you question her assumptions, she tells you that you are ignorant and fearful...if you weren't so dumb and fearful, you would love Ikeda as much as she does. I just hope that she can look at her clients' issues more clearly and objectively than this. Source
Here's another rebuttal from the original discussion:
Luisa V Nayhouse should stop and think before she writes: “that none of these individuals who have commented negatively about the SGI or President Ikeda have ever spent a moment in reading about the history of our movement nor have they read any of President Ikeda’s writings.” How do you know this? You are leaping to a conclusion, and a rather broad one, based solely upon your prejudice in favor of Mr. Ikeda. I suppose my comments could be considered negative, and I certainly have a negative perception of the “great leader.”
I spent 12 years in the SGI. I was a senior leader. I have read nearly everything about the SGI and Nichiren Buddhism that has been published in English, as well as possessing a large collection of the organization’s publications and Ikeda’s writings. So, I think I have a very good idea of the history of this group. Actually, it is precisely because I did my own independent investigation, instead of just blindly believing everything the organization said, that led me to the conclusion that Mr. Ikeda is something of a fraud and the organization he leads little more than a cult.
AND another:
I commiserate and have gone through a similar process to what David described in his comment.
I post with an AKA because I actually have spent time with and know at least two of the senior leaders who have posted here. While I do have immense respect for these two men (they’re very nice guys) – I also had joined during the NSA years / practicing for almost 20 years in two states / achieved upper “leadership” status / then finally departed, etc – I have to point out the “NSA/SGI-Speak” that is apparent in their statements:
[SGI-USA national leader Ian McIlraith] Ian: “I for one simply appreciate and applaud Dr. Lawrence E. Carter’s effort to introduce Mr. Ikeda’s name and work to the larger public.”
[SGI-USA national leader] Bill Aiken: “I agree that you cannot equate the life of Daisaku Ikeda with Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. Gandhi and King are iconic figures of our century and – as you point out – they made the ultimate commitment of their lives to advance their noble ideals. However, I would not underestimate the value of Mr. Ikeda’s contributions in fostering a movement that spans millions of people in 192 countries around the world….(and on and on)”
Notice that neither of these well-meaning men take into account the absurd arrogance and presumptive nature of how the exhibition groups the relatively unknown Ikeda with two of the greatest figures of the last century, and possibly in history in general. This, from a philosophy that supposedly abhors arrogance, and teaches its followers to avoid it!
"Arrogance" is just FINE when it's Ikeda's... I mean, how else is anyone going to know just how GREAT he is if he doesn't talk himself up as much as possible?? And his "disciples" sure are arrogant!
They simply used “NSA/SGI-Speak”, which is a re-framing of a response to make things “not sound so bad”, without directly addressing a touchy or controversial subject. This happens in the SGI all the time.
Yes. You won't be able to avoid tripping over it if you try to communicate with SGI members.
Bottom line, there’s still a public exhibition running around the country which has been resoundingly criticized my so many for the aforementioned grouping.
Also, it’s funny how quotes from Ikeda like “It should be hoped that (Russian) President Putin will continue to do such a good job” (from some Living Buddhism issue a while back), and support, admiration and accolades presented to a tyrant torturing dictator like Islam Karimov (Uzbekistan) are quietly swept under the rug and ignored within this organization. Are these the activities of a great peace activist who has “earned” a place alongside King and Ghandi?
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
The SGI is, by many definitions, a cult, and tacitly worships the almighty Ikeda. His writings frequently usurp those of the original priest, Nichiren, in organizational magazines, articles, study meetings and presentations such as the Ghandi, King, Ikeda exhibit.
Absolutely.
Is there formal worship of Ikeda? No, it’s tacit as I’ve mentioned. But it seems to be getting closer and closer to that.
Just pick up any of their publications - they're ALL about Ikeda. Always. All the time. Nichiren and Shakyamuni are rarely mentioned, if ever.
I speak from many years of faithfully trying to be a “good Buddhist”, and becoming deeply embedded in the organization. It finally took a sense of deep dissatisfaction and evaluation of what I was doing to remove myself from the unhealthy environment. I had never felt such a sense of freedom as the day I left the SGI and removed my Ikeda picture from my altar.
Okay - one more:
I had only recently joined SGI when our district hosted the Gandhi King Ikeda exhibit. Although I was an enthusiastic new member, that exhibit really bothered me–as did the explainations made by senior members when I asked how Ikeda compared to two men whose lives were constantly put in peril because of their convictions (whereas I had recently learned Ikeda was living large and his multi-million dollar income was a perfect example of someone who practices true Buddhism–wha?!?). I recall one member excitedly told me Ikeda had spent an ENTIRE NIGHT IN JAIL because he had been wrongly accused of election fraud. Wow.
I left the org about a year later, after I was encouraged to put a photo of Ikeda on my altar so I could better develop my relationship with “sensei”.
I remember when this started becoming a "thing" - right after Ikeda's humiliating excommunication. Of course the Ikeda worship had to shift into overdrive to drown that reality out!
Wait - okay, this will be the last one:
Ok. I gotta rip this one to shreds:
“Barbara, All these negative remarks about President Ikeda are off the mark. They are fear based and inaccurate.”
That’s completely your opinion, which you’re entitled to. But it’s not a provable fact. I’ve done my time worshipping the man, studying him and going to great lengths to catch a glimpse, handshake or breathe his same air. None of it transformed my life, in the end. What did was leaving the SGI and living for myself.
Ditto.
“As a Soka Gakai Buddhist and psychotherapist SGI Buddhism does not confuse Buddhism and Psychology.”
Hoooboy. Delusional much?
“President Ikeda is honored per se by members because he sees us and we see us as no lesser capacity than he or Nichiren Daishonin or Shakyamuni Buddha.”
No, he is honored because YMD and YWD are “tasked” with making sure he gets these honorary degrees. One might want to ask Nestor Torres about his experience with being asked to do this. These honors are very much extracted from people by the SGI, which in turn paints the picture of Ikeda being “presented” with the honor by whatever institution or organization.
“We are hence no lesser than and of no less capacity I say. The proof is that one by one each of us are in fact transforming our lives home, work and environments slowly but surely and are trully becoming happy individuals. Ultimately this is the purpose to attain fulfillement create value that is what Soka means create value.”
It’s also a matter of perspective and opinion. For example, the people in Jonestown also thought they had transformed their lives by going to South America.
“I am sure by reading these comments above that none of these individuals who have commented negatively about the SGI or President Ikeda have ever spent a moment in reading about the history of our movement nor have they read any of President Ikeda’s writings.”
How are you sure? Do you know? I definitely feel aligned with the “negative” comments, and spent a couple of decades on the deep inside of the organization and in leadership positions. Your statement is untrue and, frankly, quite arrogant.
“That we can and will and do overcome the four sufferings in life as described by Shakyamuni Buddha to attain absoulute happines is proof enough and will continue to be.”
Again, I don’t feel the Soka Gakkai has cornered the market on Shakyamuni’s teachings. There are many many Buddhists who have experienced life transformation without the SGI. There are also many non-Buddhists (for example… Gandhi and King!) who have achieved transformation. My transformation began with developing the courage to leave a time and money sucking organization that attempted to rule my thoughts, opinions and choices in life.
“Thank you! With My Deep Respect and Appreciation for these comments, people are stirring and I am not surprised, freedom at the same time is most empowering as well as can create fear-”
If you think the SGI is a basis for freedom, you should definitely have your delusions examined by another (non-SGI) psychologist. I’m sorry to be blunt, but sometimes one has to be cruel to be kind.
The sooner you walk away from the Dear Sensei Ikeda, the sooner you’ll be free. Just do it. I’m not San Sho Shima. My head hasn’t split into 7 pieces. 🙃
I LIED!! One more!!
As far as the other two personalities ate concerned through out the exhibition it is never conveyed that Ikeda is equal to Gandhi and King Junior.
Ikeda sounds like a great spiritual master, until you compare him to the other spiritual masters. A genuine master would not allow the exhibit to be shown, nor would he have people buy him “honorary” degrees, or have parks and streets named after him. A real teacher is one you work with personally, and who knows you personally. Otherwise, he’s just someone whose (possibly ghostwritten) books you have read.
So far, no one has been able to explain exactly what Ikeda does to promote world peace that puts him in the same company as Gandhi and King.
That's because the answer is "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING".
The exhibit is absurd on its face, as is the belief that Ikeda was “chosen.” The exhibit obviously was created primarily as a vehicle to publicize Ikeda. And may I also say that I continue to be saddened by the cult of personality that surrounds Ikeda. It cheapens the entire SGI organization and makes what could be a more purely beneficial organization into Ikeda’s personal self-promotion machine.
There's nothing "beneficial" about SGI. Barbara O'Brien is really good, but her ignorance of the reality of the SGI, along with her acceptance of the cult's self-promotional propaganda, honestly hamstrings the usefulness of her analysis. Still, even with that handicap, she clearly identifies the problems being presented here via the "Gandhi, King, WorthlessAsshole" exhibit - and the SGI culties' defense of it.
Hey Mark !
ReplyDeleteWhy don’t you go piss up a rope !
Better use of your time than this crap 😏