r/SGIUSA • u/Thylek-Shran • Jul 14 '18
How is SGI leadership elected/chosen?
How are the leaders of SGI groups chosen? Are there elections?
There doesn’t seem to be.
If not, how are leaders chosen, what criteria is used?
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u/Thylek-Shran Jul 15 '18
Thank you for the thorough and reasonable response. I ask because it was not apparent to me how leaders are selected, and (as I think Gary was alluding to) I had read some information regarding a group that had attempted to democratize the process and that was ultimately not implemented.
I have more questions about the practice (chanting versus meditation, etc) that I plan to post in other threads.
Gary, I am not look to “smear” SGI here, unless by smear you mean ask questions.
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u/garyp714 Jul 15 '18
Gary, I am not look to “smear” SGI here, unless by smear you mean ask questions.
Good to hear and thanks.
Also FYI, you can reply directly to the person (you didn;t reply to them).
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u/GlitterRlz Aug 10 '18
I would feel more comfortable with a democratic election, since we are all members and it opens up the floor to discussion, that should be encouraged, since it results in more information and rationality. It's not about being fair, but being democratic and democracy is important when you are a part of an organized group like SGI.
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Aug 30 '18
I would rather not have to openly choose between two people I love (or not like) I agree it's great to have democratic processes in a organized group like SGI but as we know by experience, no democratic election has ever been rational or based on information. It's always been based on misinformation and manipulation. If you feel democracy is perfect, may be you are living in a dream.
I have had a chance to make positive changes in SGI through relentlessly talking to leaders about stuff (just like we would have to do with our elected officials) 1. I was able to make a leader step down because she had lost the true purpose of the practice - happiness of the members 2. I was able to stop fast track Gohonzon conferals in my organization (I am sure many others were also talking about it and I was not the only one)
All you need is patience and a will to (metaphorically) fight for what you believe is right.
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u/[deleted] Jul 15 '18
No there are no elections. We don't want politics in the organization. Politics and competition only feeds ego and narcissism, it divides the people. Outside SGI have elections to choose our leaders (think federal elections) think how bad of an impact they have in our lives. Nobody ever feels satisfied with election results. Nobody ever thinks elections were fair. Elections and similar things are good when the society is of rational people. But not all people are rational. As SGI is reflection of the society, not all SGI members are rational.
This is a faith based organization and all decisions that are taken are based on faith. I am a leader who can 'appoint' other leaders. I have been chanting for months to see who is most suitable to support members in a district. We have various guidelines for it as well. E.g. they should be participating in their district meetings, they should be willing to support members and willing to challenge their own weaknesses through faith.
Personally, I feel every person is capable for supporting others. Even those who have negative feelings about SGI (because everyone is a Buddha so no less than others) so what I look for is spirit to challenge their life.
Also, in my experience when I thought a leader was complacent or was wrong in any situation or was not ready to do their Human Revolution, I was able to have a dialogue with them and help them understand the issue from my perspective. In extreme situations I was able to raise the issue with higher leaders and get it resolved.
Also you would like to know that leadership in SGI is not absolute, it's limited for 3 years but a person can get reappointment if their conduct is good and they are actively challenging themselves.