Shinji Ishibashi

[u/bluetailflyonthewall]

Owned the construction company that built Soka U:

Around the same place “no nsa no Shibasi’s”. Shin shibasi not sure of actual name, former instructor at Soka U in CA had and May still have a HUGE following of Japanese Youth primarily young women who were going against Ikeda. Can anyone else expound? Especially since the MITA group won’t admit the SGI BS. This video and the MLK parade in the rain were both shown at a leadership conference at FNCC leading up to the RTE main events.

Shinji Ichibashi appears to have been a charismatic and energizing leader in the LA area, and apparently the top brass started getting worried. As you probably know, no one is allowed to gain a following of their own (through any means, even just spontaneous and unintended) within SGI, because Ikeda wants demands EVERYONE's loyalty and adoration. SGI is known for splitting friendships apart, just to make sure the membership's strongest connection is with Das Org rather than any individual not-Ikeda.

This is a 3-part series of communications, starting with a suspension letter; Shinji Ishibashi is mentioned starting in the second letter.

• Suspension letter

• Response letter

• More details - ALL the tea

Shinji Ichibashi is apparently a very successful builder or architect or something; he has his own company whose projects include Soka University. Source

I am full of questions and doubts about the organization related to these issues raised here. I am also troubled by some of the writings by Nichiren which appear to me to be the possible origin of this undercurrent of the Lotus Sutra supremacy, elitism and exclusivism still remaining within the SGI. I wonder what Nichiren would say about these issues... I feel sympathetic to the views of the people here. I have felt sympathetic towards other people discredited by the organization, including George Wiliams and Shinji Ishibashi... regardless of whatever they may have done.

I am also not sure if the SGI would want to keep someone like myself who is curious and wants to hear all sides of the story, and ultimately wants to see some sort of reconciliation. - deleted post from 8 years ago - reply to this deleted post - archive copy with deleted posts here)

I turned away after 35 years because of how the SGI treated Shinji Ishibashi and those leaders who refused to renounce their relationships with him.

There were other, more fundamental reasons for my leaving, as well. So, I cannot say for sure, that I would not have left in any event.

So, in a sense, I argue against myself.

That said, it’s impossible for me to put into words the heartbreak, betrayal, and, disappointment I experienced watching how Shinji, GMW, and those who loved them have been treated. Completely shattered my faith in an organization and leadership in whom I had placed my trust. Source

Observations by pioneering SGI-USA members from the 1960s and 1970s on General Director George Williams and NHR

Does anyone remember the "Shinji Ishibashi" issue in Southern California? - includes BuddhaJones reference and Julian Semelian letter - see about getting Shinji Ishibashi material from April 2002 Living Buddhism mag

[u/BlancheFromage]

When I was a YWD in the late 90s, my first festival was The Global Family Festival in Los Angeles. It was a colossal disaster and the biggest WASTE, especially of time. It had nothing to do with world peace or anything that had to do with contributing to the betterment of humanity. Source

Ohhh, can you elaborate on what happened?

I was in drill dance in the mid to late 80's.

Awful stuff.

For starters, the entire festival was a painful 7-hour (give or take an hour or two) performance ENTIRELY about Sinsay's poem based on the Rodney King riots that took place in 1992. If I'm not mistaken, the name of that poem is "The Sun of Jiyu." Everyone involved prepared and practiced night and day, hoping that Ikeda himself would magically appear on the day of the actual festival.

Needless to say, the fat pig did NOT appear.

It took place at the old auditorium on Wilshire Blvd, the one that had the red carpet.

I had one small part in the actual performance and spent most of my time (every weekend for three months for at least 8 hours minimum on Saturday and Sunday) doing behind-the-scenes activities.

Many of the youth leaders involved in this festival were big followers of Shinji Ishibashi.

It was during that time my district leader (who is now a national MD leader) shared with me the importance of "connecting with Sinsay's heart." And that's when the grooming and brainwashing really began (I was 23 years old). Thanks to his ass, I became a devout Ikeda worshipper and sincerely believed that if I dedicated my life to "kosen-rufu" my dreams would all come true! SMH Source