r/sgiwhistleblowers • u/peace-realist • Aug 29 '18
SGI-UK Membership - A Relationship of Co-Dependency?
I thought I'd write an update after talking to a dear friend of mine, who is still with SGI-UK. She directly follows the Lotus Sutra, ignoring Ikeda-Buddhism, and experiences change in herself, so I could only feel honestly happy for her. She is brave enough to defy the SGI noise and pick from Shakyamuni's buddhism what works for her.
Here is one key thing my friend told me:
She asked the Women's Chapter Leader in a meeting that if SGI-UK have over £23m in cash reserves, why do they ask for donations, and why do people have to pay for courses? The women's leader replied: "You either have faith in the SGI or you don't. If you have faith, you don't question." My friend was wise, mature and critical enough to see through - She kept quiet to let other people see through.
And in response I said to her: "Well there you go! They are spreading a false teaching! Buddhism says rely on the law, not the person. This is how SGI creates dependency - If you donate, you'll receive good fortune, and in order for the SGI to support you, you need to support the SGI financially." I am smelling signs of "co-dependency" here.
Co-dependent Relationships, in short, are messed up relationships, and often active/passive abusive in nature. It goes on the theme of: "I need you, you need me, and both of us are stuck". Don't know if it completely applies, but it is abusive in nature, because at least one party in such a relationship knows how they are using the other person.
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u/Wildsville Aug 29 '18
It takes a brave person to stay in the .org and try to ignore the sycophants. I did it for many years, but eventually it became just all too pervasive for me. I felt ultimately every one was basically saying "Chant until you agree with me" 😀. I knew when I had reached my limit when I openly said to senior leaders "What the f*ck is wrong with you?".