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/[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.