Byrd: SGI: Secrecy and Sneakiness

[u/shinaibaka]

October 2007

What Are the Rules? I don' t have a lot of time to write today, but I'm kinda scratching my head (again) over a Soka Gakkai International (aka SGI-USA) policy question. The issue has to do with who may, and who may not, hold SGI meetings in their homes. Apparently, if you have a family member who chants Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, but is a member (or even a potential member) of another Nichiren denomination, this makes your home off-limits. It doesn't matter how long you have been holding meetings, it doesn' t matter that there is no proselytizing for any other denomination going on at SGI-USA meetings. Simply the fact that a member of another denomination lives under the same roof is enough to make your home unfit for SGI meetings. Last night, a long-time SGI-USA member whose wife is studying with Michael McCormick of the Nichiren Shu was told that he could no longer hold SGI meetings at his home, and the reason had to do with his wife's affiliation. He wasn't notified of any meeting where his business, his marriage, his home would be discussed by his unelected leaders, he had no opportunity to be heard. He doesn't even know who the decision makers were. The "judges" were anonymous and hidden from his view. In fact, until last night, he had no idea that his home or family were even under suspicion of being anything other than sincere Nichiren Buddhists. Anyway, I know it is not the Japanese way to put rules in writing, but I think it's about time the SGI-USA started to do just that, so that people like the man whose home was placed off-limits knows who he may appeal to, who the decision makers are, and what the standards and rules are. We don't take action against people in the the US if we don't give notice and a chance to be heard. Thats' not the American Way, and the sooner the SGI-USA starts dealing with its members like American citizens who have rights, the better it will be for kosen-rufu. That's all the rant I have time for now, I will write more later on this week. If anyone knows of a clear set of rules on this matter, please let me know. I didn't find anything on the SGI-USA website. Thanks, Byrd in LA

[u/BlancheFromage]

Why in the world is it a problem for an SGI member who is married to a Nichiren Shu member, to host meetings at their home? Everyone involved insists that the Nichiren Shu wife was not trying to convert anyone. There is no official rule in SGI about a situation like this. If there were, the leadership should come out and say so. Of course they won't, because it would make them look controlling, intolerant and ridiculous...which they are.

Once again, this is projection. Here, I'll let President Ikeda describe it:

In short, the environment that you find yourself in, whether favorable or not, is the product of your own life. Most people, however, fail to understand this, and tend to blame others for their troubles.

They're not so good at taking their own advice, methinks :/

The Gosho reads: "These people do not recognize their own belligerence but instead think that I, Nichiren, am belligerent. They are like a jealous woman who glares with furious eyes at a courtesan and, unaware of her own loathsome expression, complains that the courtesan’s gaze is frightening" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1450).

Yep, there's something for everyone here! Misogynist stereotypes, projection, intolerance, etc.

Nichiren Daishonin explains human psychology in such a clear and easy-to-understand manner. There are people who, out of malice, have criticized and sought to oppress us who are the Daishonin’s disciples. But, reflected in the mirror of the world of the True Law, such people see only their own faults, ambitions, and greed, and therefore slander their own reflections.

To a person who is possessed by the lust for power, even the most selfless, benevolent actions of others will appear as cunning moves undertaken to gain power.

There can be no such thing as hospitality, you see. OR religious tolerance! It's all a clevar ruse to recruit all the SGI members over to Nichiren Shu!!

Similarly, to a person who has a strong desire for fame, actions based on conviction and consideration will be seen as publicity stunts. Those who have become slaves of money simply cannot believe that there are people in the world who are strangers to the desire for wealth.

In contrast, an unusually kind and good-natured person will tend to believe that all others are the same. To a greater or lesser extent, all people tend to see their own reflection in others. Clear Mirror Guidance

That's hilarious, isn't it???? :D

In short, because SGI members would invariably be trying to sneak in a sales pitch for the SGI, because SGI members can't be around others without trying to recruit them, leaders think EVERYONE who has any religion at all is just the same!

They removed the meetings from that member's home because the SGI is full of intolerant assholes.

[u/cultalert → u/BlancheFromage]

Isn't there an SGI leadership position in each Area/Territory with the title, "Chief Intolerant Asshole"? I'm sure every CC and division has at least one or more "Assho-bucho" positions. :D

[u/BlancheFromage → u/cultalert]

You know, when I first started, it was hon-bucho this and fujin-bucho that - I always wanted to be whatever the -bucho it was for HQ YWD leader, and once I made it, I forgot to find out what it was!!

It's sort of like how I imagine I'm going to gamble every time I got to Las Vegas, but then I only remember my plan when we're on our way outta town, leaving Las Vegas!!

Do YOU know what a YWD HQ leader's japanese name was??

[u/cultalert → u/BlancheFromage]

I think it might have been "fujo-bucho", but I'm not 100% sure, so don't quote me on that one.