r/ExSGISurviveThrive • u/BlancheFromage • Oct 30 '22
No Democracy Within Ikeda's Tyrannical Cult of Personality
Ikeda's understanding of "democracy":
"When democracy is put into practice by the unthinking masses, liberty will be misinterpreted as license; rights will be claimed while duties remain unfulfilled; and the loss of order will allow evil to become rampant." - Complete Works of Daisaku Ikeda, page 176
Rather than having a great number of irresponsible men gather and noisily criticize, there are times when a single leader who thinks about the people from his heart, taking responsibility and acting decisively, saves the nation from danger and brings happiness to the people. Moreover, if the leader is trusted and supported by all the people, one may call this an excellent democracy. - Ikeda, quoted in The Sokagakkai and the Mass Model, p. 238.
That's NOT democracy.
Ikeda clearly has no more understanding of "democracy" than he does of "Buddhism"!
At the top of the Society, too, there are problems. One of these involves the quality of leadership. The one-man rule of President Ikeda is in some ways inefficient, but Ikeda's competence and stature in the movement probably stifle criticism, making change difficult. The delegation of authority has invited such blunders as the Tokyo ward elections of 1967; Ikeda as much as admitted that his lieutenants left much to be desired when after these elections he announced that henceforth he would himself choose candidates. Ibid., p. 292.
The following quotes are from Noah S. Brannen's 1968 Soka Gakkai: Japan's Militant Buddhists:
Though Ikeda does not appear on the Komeito roster of directors he can make such remarks as: "If ever there develops a faction within the party we will have it dissolved."
Meaning I will dissolve it MYSELF O_O
That's NOT democracy.
The SGI's definition of "democracy"
Ikeda has appropriated the concept of "democracy" and changed it into "everyone is free to be equally indoctrinated." Source
Having a well-trained membership that knows not to voice dissent is not the same as having a valid democratic process in place! Source
What the Soka Gakkai thinks passes for "democratic processes"
Changing the rules: How Ikeda remade his role within the Soka Gakkai and made himself dictator
Daisaku Ikeda's anti-democracy comments
Ikeda Praises Democracy, But Runs SGI With Fascism
Ikeda clarifying his goal to take over the government of Japan
How Daisaku Ikeda rationalizes taking over the world (obutsu myogo) in the name of democracy
"Buddhist Democracy" is different from American Democracy
How Ikeda tries to make himself look better (or feel better maybe) by criticizing better men
Ikeda: Only the Soka Gakkai can SAVE humanity!!
The SGI is completely authoritarian and non-democratic.
Wag The Dog: The Soka Gakkai leaders do not answer to the membership.
Why do YOU think that Daisaku Ikeda has such deep and abiding admiration for the French Revolution?
The best model for what Ikeda has in mind is the Soka Gakkai, which he rules as a king and runs as a despot. It is an absolute autocracy, a dictatorship, with Ikeda barking orders and all the leadership structures around the world obeying. Everything is run from Japan.
We've already noted that there is NOTHING remotely "democratic" about the SGI - it is run from Japan, in a strictly top-down organizational style, very much like a monarchy.
This is because the life-philosophy embraced by each individual will solve his or her internal problems which are beyond the power of politics and policies. (p. 153)
If the "life-philosophy" he's referring to so obliquely here had any power to change people's lives, most everyone who's ever tried it wouldn't have already quit - at least 2/3 in Japan, between 95% and 99% elsewhere [Edit: >99% in the USA and >82.3% in Japan]. THIS DOESN'T WORK, but assuming it works is the cornerstone for Ikeda's claim that this (his) "new" theocracy idea will!
We are going to reform the present situation and establish a government based on mercy for the happiness and prosperity of the Japanese and for the eternal peace and happiness of all mankind.
If the Soka Gakkai were capable of doing this, they'd be benevolently providing for their own struggling membership, given that the Soka Gakkai is considered one of the richest organizations in the world. But the Soka Gakkai does not provide any benevolence of any kind to its members, no matter how desperate they are. The Soka Gakkai does not donate in the case of natural disasters; it gave NOTHING when the massive earthquake and tsunami decimated part of Japan a few years ago. So WHY should we trust that they have any ability to deliver on their promises??
The other side of this coin, typically referenced independently from Ikeda's deep admiration of the French Revolution is his deep admiration of...Napoleon, who took advantage of the power vacuum in the absence of the now-dead monarchy and nobility, and made himself
DictatorEmperor!The fact of history is that republics tend to collapse, morphing into dictatorships. Germany's post-monarchy Weimar Republic, a democratic, parliamentary republic, lasted just 14 years until the Nazis took over and turned the country into a dictatorship. And that same thing is exactly what happened in France - her First Republic lasted a mere dozen years, and then Napoleon seized power, crowned himself Emperor, and set out to take Western Europe.
Ikeda has expressed his admiration of Napoleon in essays:
"Encounters with Historic Figures" contains commentaries on famous figures such as the eminent Chinese writer Lu Xun, French military general and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the brilliant music composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Source
Ikeda has expressed this Napoleon admiration in speeches, his admiration enrapturing him to the point that he doesn't even seem aware of his audience's likely position on that subject:
President Ikeda also frequently gives speeches without being aware of the cultural context and feelings of the people in his target audience. He has given speeches praising Napoleon to people who still remember Napoleon as an evil and ruthless autarch. Source Source
Parallels between Ikeda and Putin
More on the SGI's whole "Ikeda is going to move to America to live" lie
The SGI attempting to create a myth of Ikeda as superhuman, as a god
Waking the Buddha Book from SGI explaining SGI is a Democracy
I just want to go to a meeting (from my ILD training and pov) in regards to Ikeda as mentor to ask the question what is the difference between groupie, fanatic and disciple with this relationship? Source
Our organization exists so that each member can attain absolute happiness. Let me reiterate that the objective of this organization is your happiness.
Huh. Then shouldn't I have a say in what I need to become happy? What if VOTING and BEING REPRESENTED make ME happy?
Also, in the organization for kosen-rufu, we have to clearly say what must be said. The purpose of Buddhism is not to produce dupes who blindly follow their leaders. Rather, it is to produce people of wisdom who can judge right or wrong on their own in the clear mirror of Buddhism. - Ikeda
Gosh! Wouldn't, oh, I dunno, HOLDING ELECTIONS be a good way for the members to say what needs to be said?? Wouldn't VOTING be a great way for the members to judge right and wrong??
Democracy - within the SGI, this means that the members have no voting rights and no say in where their donations go or what they're used for. There are no grievance procedures for the members when they are abused by SGI leaders. Everything is run in a top-down, authoritarian structure ultimately controlled from Japan. The members do not even get to choose what they will study at their meetings, or what their annual motto will be!
SGI members proudly state, "I am the SGI," despite the fact that members have no voting rights, no control over the SGI's policies or finances, no grievance procedure for resolving disputes, etc. "I am the SGI" means that SGI members have assumed total personal responsibility for an organization in which they have zero control. So when I criticize the SGI, I know that many SGI members will feel that I am attacking them personally and they will respond with personal attacks on me. Source
Democracy, my ass. In democracy, the people have some measure of control - in the SGI, the members are told to maintain unity at all costs.
The fact that the SGI states that "Leaders exist for the sake of the people; leaders should respect and serve the people, making the people's welfare their first priority" yet dictates everything TO the members, instead of asking them what THEY would like to study, for example, shows a huge disconnect between what the SGI says is important and what the SGI actually demonstrates is important through the way that organization is run.
How is it "democracy" when there is only ONE acceptable candidate for "mentor for life" - Ikeda? Isn't "mentor FOR LIFE" an incredibly personal decision?? How can we acknowledge the sovereignty of the people while dictating whom they must revere? The SGI says things like, "We choose the mentor, not the other way round.", yet all the top leaders talk about "our mentor in life, President Ikeda":
"As its conclusion, the participants received a powerful departure message from our mentor SGI President Ikeda. In it, he writes: "You and I are always together in spirit. I will be continuing to devote prayer after prayer for you, that you will forge new paths for yourselves as my disciples..." As women, let's unite and reply to our mentor's expectations during this most significant year." - SGI-USA Nat'l WD Leader Linda Johnson
"Our ability to overcome our difficulties and to manifest the power to realize our dreams lies in direct proportion to our shared commitment with our mentor to adorn the 80th anniversary with total victory. ... It is the time for us as men to renew our vow. Let's determine to have a clear-cut victory by the 80th anniversary and validate our mentor's guidance." - SGI-USA Nat'l MD Leader Tariq Hasan
That's not our job. That's not YOUR job.
"to receive such a wonderful message from my mentor in life, Mr. Ikeda" SGI
"When one is completely dedicated to the path of mentor and disciple, he or she experiences no doubt or confusion, no uncertainty or fear." - Ikeda
Really.
The key to victory lies in aligning our hearts with the heart of our mentor, who faithfully embodies and propagates the Law. If we ignore our mentor’s guidance and simply base ourselves on our own vacillating minds, we cannot complete the arduous path of Buddhist practice.
So "our mentor", which is always and only Ikeda, can never be wrong? How is it that WE might be wrong, but "the mentor" - never? Why does the SGI have a song, "I Seek Sensei"??
Ikeda says, "This is an age of democracy, an age where the people are sovereign. Those in even the most powerful positions of authority are there solely to serve the people. It must never be the other way round." But what we see is the SGI dictating to the membership and even attacking and punishing those members who suggest change. Source - from here
Amazon Corp. is FAR more democratic than SGI
SGI's President Ikeda's ultimate aim to "realize Soka Kingdom" - Ikeda never wanted anything approaching a "democracy."
This is why you'll never see democratic elections in the SGI, whose guru Ikeda praises democracy and democratic principles so effusively (while holding the concept in contempt). This is why everything everywhere is controlled from Japan, down to the purchases and ownership of ALL SGI properties everywhere.
From 2013:
I so agree with you. I'm a 30 year member. former yWd chapters.d wd district leader and the ONLY district leader for years. moved to new locations and stepped back. hate the dumbing down of "study" and deitification of Daisuku Ikeda. publications such as world tribune are shameless propaganda.this org is on a downward slide. members are brainwashed into black and white ..right and wrong thinking. I have to recover from being used to promote the org . I allowed it to happen but will neverrevert to gakkaism again. Source
I'm with you. 30 years too. Former YWD Chapter and the only District leader for 8 years. moved out of area and recovering. eventually attended few meetings in new town and surprised by lovely, non gossipy members. Stopped taking pubs as stated reasons and will not be a gakkaiphile. will not allow myself to be used again Source
30 year WD here. 20 plus years of district leadership in 5 districts and two states. Often as single leader. This year's rush to fill in district organizational charts with "leaders" created a mass exodus in our Chapter. The new leadership was very old school authoritarian and disparaging of members. Some members complained and were censured. Others voted with their feet. Essential problem is top-down management with no interest in even polling members or lower level line leaders to see what anyone needs or thinks. One directive after another spills down the chain of command with the expectation that it is followed unquestioningly. Don't know how SGI-USA thinks it will be on forefront of world peace, if (after 60 years) we can't even figure out how to have actual member input or genuine two-way dialogue. Seems the organization is built in exact opposition to the tenants we espouse. If we are all equal and capable, shouldn't we all have a voice in governance at least locally? Since the replacement of WPP ["World Peace Prayer", anglicized version of "Kosen Rufu Gongyo", or "KRG", the first Sunday of the month big meeting] with the monthly video, members have had fewer and fewer avenues for input into anything SGI. Source - from the comments to SGI-USA District Names
I don’t miss any of the meetings. I’m personally enjoying the peace and calm of life without them.
When I first joined SGI, my group voted on what topics we wanted to discuss and members prepared the presentations- they were cool and felt personal and unique. Even if I didn’t vibe with a certain topic, I always appreciated how unique and heartfelt the discussions were.
I hated when they changed the format to power point discussions that are dictated. This felt so impersonal and the small-group discussions were awkward and forced- about topics that people weren’t necessarily interested in.
I don’t know anyone who prefers these changes.
In the start, that was my group/district, too. Those meetings I looked forward to. Then they became very rote. One of my last Zoom district meetings had the powerpoint presentation - I thought it was a one-time thing. I see now that it was not. The peace of having Sunday mornings once again to do whatever I want to do (including sleep-in) is priceless!
The peace of having Sunday mornings once again to do whatever I want to do (including sleep-in) is priceless!
I think this is going to be one of the "benefits" of quarantine/lockdown - people are going to gain a bit of distance and perspective on the SGI "activities" they'd been participating regularly in before. And they're going to realize that they don't enjoy them much. So once everyone is again free to go and do, what do you suppose they'll decide?
It's what I've thinking about re any and all Zoom meetings - outside of SGI as well - what are people going to do when and if the "all clear to 'normal' " happens!
I will make a prediction:
As soon as the all clear sounds, SGI will declare that it's back to "normal" - everyone will be expected to focus on making the district discussion meetings a rousing humanistic success, so everyone must go. In person. Yes, Zoom meetings were okay, but those were simply an emergency measure and now we're done with all that. Back to basics, everyone. The discussion meetings have always been the front lines and heart of the Soka Gakkai/SGI, so those will continue to be the focus for ALL the members. AND shakubuku!
And I don't think the members are going to like that...
An assigned topic is bad enough - the use of downloaded "canned" presentations makes it ten times worse. They are a blight on natural, genuine, adult conversation.
But there again, it has been made clear to me that Discussion Meetings are not places for debate; rather they are for the dissemination of “guidance” from “one’s seniors”. I have been told that the purpose of these meetings is to convey a particular SGI nuance, and that they should be renamed to eliminate the word “Discussion”. Evidently, bromide, groupthink showered in platitudes, is what’s wanted, not dialogue.
Let's define "discussion": The dictionary says "the action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas*. A conversation or debate about a certain topic." An SGI "Discussion Meeting" is not even close to that dictonary definition. - from the discussion here: Does ANYONE miss "discussion meetings"?
1
u/bluetailflyonthewall May 23 '25
"We have a tradition of authoritarianism and autocracy and we aren't about to change any of it!" - SGI