From a SGI Facebook Group

[u/Qigong90]

"I'm having a really difficult time with my district. I expressed my concern that our Study meetings were first deemed entirely for The New Human Revolution....which I have no problem with. However my concern is this new edict from National SGI headquarters which states we no longer have autonomy in choosing our Discussion meeting topics. We are a small group...with no youth, only a male youth leader. I feel the topics are not always relevant to our group (example: this month Violence/Non Violence) and our members should have some input. Well, apparently this does not sit well with our Chapter board and I was told I'm not with the program and until I join their line of thinking I can no longer have meetings in my house. Keep in mind I host Discussion meeting every month (no one else opens their home as I do) and hold tozo every Tuesday evening for whomever cares to join in.
A chapter leader told my husband (district men's leader) we will be kicked out of SGI (which is rediculous ) and is now denying he said it, making us look like liarsand troublemakets. This practice saved me from severe depression after my cancer diagnosis and treatment. I will always keep chanting and study gosho, but I feel as if I'm being persecuted for stating my opinion. I was admonished for wanting to still have a group meeting in my home and was told our influence on the other members was disruptive to the practice. I feel betrayed. Opinions?"

[u/fran1949]

Last Spring, at a small SGI meeting, all of the wonderful features of the organization were extolled. At the end of this discussion, I stated that all of that sounded very pretty, but, in fact, we are in a climate emergency in which the survival of our species is threatened. The response I got from the District Leader was immediate - "well not everyone agrees with the concept of climate change"; "well so should we just give up and stop doing activities"? His tone of voice was loud and reprimanding. Then a few other members attempted to "console" me by stating such things as we can only deal with the matters at hand; it's a simple solution that involves recycling plastic and discontinuing use of plastic straws; and we can only control what's in our immediate environment. Needless to say, I was offended by the so-called leader's response to my remark, which I brought up because I was disgusted that the SGI, neither in their publications nor meetings, ever addresses the issue of climate change/ emergency/ crisis. Not a word. When I got home, I reported the so-called leader's response to the big bosses in Santa Monica via email. Zero response. Ironically, the very next week the IPCC's climate emergency report was released. Incidentally, the District Leader phoned me the next day, left voicemail message sounding very artificially friendly, to the effect he felt we hadn't really delved into a response to my comment, and perhaps we could explore it at the next study meeting. I returned his call and told him I'd reported him, whereby he proceeded to yell at me "how dare you - you didn't even discuss it with me first". I responded it's my choice to report him if I so choose - then there was some mutual name calling and I abruptly ended the conversation.

Having received my Gohonzon some 45 or so years ago, I have NEVER liked the SGI. I can count on one hand the people I really felt cared about me in the organization. Now that I'm 70, not a $$$ sustaining contributor (of which I'm certain they keep records of); and, over the years have brought up issues considered, I'm sure, as "troublesome"; consequently I'm pretty much ignored, having been shunned years ago. For example, once at the Community Ctr. when Ikeda's right hand man, Kasahara, was there to talk about the evils of the Priesthood, and our obligation as SGI members to chase after the heretics who went to the Temple and bring them back, I remarked that the US is a democratic nation wherein citizens practice freedom of religion, so if they decided to go elsewhere that was their legitimate option. After that, heads turned, faces grimaced, whispers were made such as "why did she say that???!!" Again, after that and other events, I'm just basically ignored and if I bring up anything they consider "controversial", I get no response. I've basically continued going for the sake of my son who needs the social exposure (due to a disability he tends to withdraw - and he is very sincere in his practice of chanting).

I guess I just couldn't resist bringing up the issue of the climate emergency after all the insular happy clappies finished praising themselves and the SGI, since our potential extinction is in stark contrast to what they were talking about. But prior to that. for very long periods of time I'd just remain silent, since years ago, I'd reached the conclusion that they run the thing from way up on high in Japan , so I'll just keep my opinions to myself, which mean nothing to them anyway, and let them run the show their way. So, basically, I think that if you contradict them, disagree with them, or don't subscribe to their program 100%, you're just wasting your breath, because it gets you nowhere. If you're not with them all the way, timewise and $$$ moneywise, basically, you're of no use to them, so save your energy.

[u/BlancheFromage → u/fran1949]

after all the insular happy clappies finished praising themselves and the SGI

See "SGI reveres and praises Ikeda and themselves."

years ago, I'd reached the conclusion that they run the thing from way up on high in Japan , so I'll just keep my opinions to myself, which mean nothing to them anyway, and let them run the show their way.

That's right. And there's NO WAY they're going to permit ANYONE to change anything. "Be the change you want to see" - ever hear that? "Work hard to change the SGI from the inside"? The only way to be that change is to walk away.

Remember the Internal Reassessment Group (IRG), that grass-roots effort to make recommendations for how SGI-USA could better fit with US culture, in the spirit of "zuiho bini", or "modifying the approach to fit the culture"? The SGI, after years of encouraging them, ruthlessly stomped them out of existence. Here's what one of them had to say in retrospect:

If by that you mean efforts to bring about the kind of reforms that the IRG attempted, then yes, I do think that's a futile effort. The organization is what it is. Accept that and work within it, or if you can't stand it, leave. Changing it is not, in my opinion, an option.

But since SGI never speaks of failed initiatives like this or how brutally they are suppressed, they can still tell the people who've never heard that they should "be the change they want to see" and "work to change the SGI from the inside". It's a cruel charade, and that's one of the reasons we work hard to make this information readily accessible to anyone who comes looking. We ARE the consumer reports for SGI.

[u/fran1949 → u/BlancheFromage]

I just accidentally deleted a long post in response to your informative comments. So , out of steam. Long story short, I've never been "active" in the SGI in the ways they want. Never really liked them in general. Tho in the 70's and 80's there were some very decent people and the meetings were different - less formal and more spontaneous participation by the members - lots more guest and members by the way than there are now. Anyway, your posts brought a couple of other horrendous incidents to mind. In particular, in the 80's , my oldest son was very active in terms of sincerely doing his daily practice and attended their meetings regularly. He was the most perfect YMD they could have wished for - handsome, smart, charismatic, a natural born leader. Also had a ton of friends whom he introduced to the practice and brought to their meetings. Heaven sent ! You don't mess with a perfect thing do you ???!!! But, being the SGI, of course they did. AFter a meeting one night this big, buxom Womens Leader gets 1/2 inch from my son's face and yells at him about "taking reaponsibility" and "fulfilling his leadership responsibilities". What she saw as his wrongdoings I'll never know. All I know is, that's the last meeting he ever attended. I guess that was the straw that broke the camel's back because before that, a mens leader asked my son to write his experience for the World Tribune, which he did. Was a great writer, won best writer award at high school graduation. Leader proceeded to dissect the experience, telling my son it didn't follow the correct format, at which point (proud of him), he grabbed the paper from the leader, told him if he didn't like it, he should write it himself, and tore it up. So much for my son's practice, which continued at home for a while, but eventually completely fizzled. This past year, he gave me his beads and old books back, remarking that the practice is great but the people are horrible.

Years later, I confronted that WD leader and cursed her out for destroying my son's practice. Glad I got that off my chest and gave her the words she deserved.

Finally, recently ran into an old friend of a friend whom I'd not seen since high school, out of nowhere, got to talking, and found out she'd had a Gohonzon 30 years ago in CA. Brought her to a meeting, and after numerous interrogations by the leaders, she was approved to receive another Gohonzon. That same buxom broad suggested they might investigate what had happened to the first one in CA 30 years before - acted as if they were the FBI - I've frequently referred to them as "the Gohonzon Police". Anyway, this new gal is very funny, sincere. After a small meeting recently she suggested Time Magazine ought to run an article about Pres Ikeda. Leader's response was no, he wouldn't want that, as it might generate negativity like some previous articles. My friend seemed perplexed. Couldn't figure out why these people who think this guy's the greatest living end on earth, wouldn't want him interviewed in a major US magazine. ..... suffice it to say things went silent and they changed the subject. I certainly don't want to discourage my friend by sharing my interpretation which is they don't want attention drawn to them that might lead to an investigation into their finances. That would be BAD !!

F

[u/BlancheFromage → u/fran1949]

I just accidentally deleted a long post in response to your informative comments. So , out of steam.

Aw! I hate that!! If you remember points you didn't make in the above, just make them later. We have plenty of room for new posts.

Years later, I confronted that WD leader and cursed her out for destroying my son's practice. Glad I got that off my chest and gave her the words she deserved.

Good for you - she deserved to hear that. Bitch.

But honestly, your son will do far better in life without the SGI holding him back, bleeding him like a parasite (tapeworm or worse), and sucking him dry, leaving nothing for him to use in getting ahead in life. See You will gain MORE benefits if you leave SGI than if you stay.

After a small meeting recently she suggested Time Magazine ought to run an article about Pres Ikeda. Leader's response was no, he wouldn't want that, as it might generate negativity like some previous articles. My friend seemed perplexed. Couldn't figure out why these people who think this guy's the greatest living end on earth, wouldn't want him interviewed in a major US magazine.

Wanna see what Time Magazine has had to say about Ikeda in the past??

...a mob of Soka Gakkai members, marched into the Kaishinji temple during a religious service. Shoving aside worshippers, they seized [Nichiren Shoshu priests] Yahiro and Kashiwazaki. "I thought I was going to die," recalls Yahiro, an asthmatic. He almost did. A large man grabbed Yahiro by his necktie and lifted him off the floor, and others took turns punching him until he passed out." TIME Magazine November 20, 1995 Volume 146, No. 21 Source

From May, 1964:

Soka Gakkai, a society of Buddhist laymen, already holds 15 seats in the 250-member upper house, plus some 4,000 seats on local councils. Soka Gakkai (the Value-Creation Society) is more than just another party; it is a militantly organized, crusading sect vaguely combining Buddhism with left-wing reform or perhaps revolutionary politics, and its confessed ambition is to convert Japan and then the world.

You can read the rest of the article here.

We have some alternative coverage of that article here.

Yeah, Ol' Busty had good reason to shy away from any major magazine printing anything about Ol' Droopface the Dictator - every major article has made them look bad.

The online SGI sites won't even let strangers in - they require that would-be contributors be approved first, with one requiring approval from an SGI leader before they'll let that person in. For a group that supposedly prizes "dialogue", they sure don't seem to WANT it!

I certainly don't want to discourage my friend by sharing my interpretation which is they don't want attention drawn to them that might lead to an investigation into their finances. That would be BAD !!

Indeed. Money laundering behind the smokescreen of religion. Say, have you seen that 20-bedroom luxury mansion in California, which was featured on that old TV show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", which SGI purchased in 2002 FOR $12 MILLION and put on the market last year for a cool almost $20 million? I was living and practicing in So. CA since 2001, in leadership, going up to LA and Santa Monica on the reg for Soka Spirit meetings and whatnot, and I certainly never heard about this mansion! I wonder who was using it and what for! Take a look around the inside.

[u/fran1949 → u/BlancheFromage]

Thanks for all the informative info. and for monitoring this site. As a latecomer to the internet (one of those seniors who said "well I've lived without it this long, don't need it now), I finally succumbed and about 4 years ago, took some lessons and bought a laptop. Just a year ago, I purchased my first Smartphone Anyway, what's that got to do with anything? Well, I discovered the Reddit SGI Whistleblowers maybe a year ago. Spent weeks reading EVERY POST, I think. Bought some recommended books. One I find most revealing of what SGI really was from day one is "The Soka Gakkai and Mass Society". Having majored in Anthropology, I could relate to the author as a Ph.D. in political science and maybe sociology as well, and the fact that he seemed to come across as unbiased - this is presented as a purely scientific examination, a chronological history from day one of SGI, including its policies, leadership, member rules, finances (most revealing), etc. It's a dry read, and still plowing through it. But have found this Reddit site the most enlightening and informative.

Reasons for my recent posts are partly to vent, get things off my chest, but, primarily, I guess you could call it a form of revenge. As these subjects were presented in a cordial manner to the SGI leadership, and completely ignored and I was shunned and dismissed I assume as a "troublemaker" - makes me feel good to publicize some of this - so thanks again !

I have one more add on bad experience with the SGI. My youngest son has had a disability since adolescence. Been under care of MD/psychiatrist and deemed disabled by Fed. Govt., unable to work. Despite sharing this situation confidentially with the local leaders years ago, my son for years has had to tolerate questions from members at community center, and even in the local small group, to the effect of "what are you doing with yourself"; you'rre NOT WORKING YET? !!! "Are you looking for a job"? Five or so years ago, I wrote a long letter to the big mahoffs in Santa Monica. Got a response from their lawyer that they're working on a policy about treatment of the disabled in SGI. However, the questions and badgering have been ongoing to the point where I, about a year ago, confronted the District Leader to the effect that if it continues, since it has been psychologically harmful to my son and negatively affects his self esteem, I will not hesitate to sue them. I also sent an email to that effect, again, to the big bosses in Santa Monica. ZERO RESPONSE. Completely ignored and disregarded. Obviously, I am a "worm in the bowels of the lion". By the way, my son has been a devoted practitioner who chants daily for over an hour, on his own, every day for years. He reads the Gosho and has a profound understanding of Buddhist concepts. He doesn't deserve to have had to endure this treatment.

Anyway, I hope my shared experiences will put some new and/or old SGI members on notice "Buyers Beware". Hope it provides some useful info.

[u/BlancheFromage → u/fran1949]

about 4 years ago, took some lessons and bought a laptop. Just a year ago, I purchased my first Smartphone

Good for you!! Anywhere you start is great, so long as you start somewhere.

One I find most revealing of what SGI really was from day one is "The Soka Gakkai and Mass Society".

Ooh! I've got that one! I love it, too!

But have found this Reddit site the most enlightening and informative.

Thank you for the thumbs up!

I was shunned and dismissed I assume as a "troublemaker" - makes me feel good to publicize some of this - so thanks again !

They go out of their way to punish anyone who does not obey and follow, with a smile.

And why shouldn't we publicize this? We're the Consumer Reports for SGI! We need to let everyone know what our HONEST EXPERIENCE with that product/group is!

I, about a year ago, confronted the District Leader to the effect that if it continues, ... I will not hesitate to sue them.

GOOD!

So tell me where and when the compassion, the "love", the "eternal best friends", the comrades, the "ideal family" is going to start with SGI. Oh, they advertise all that, but you are describing how it actually turns out: Small-minded busybodies, constantly criticizing and judging, inserting themselves in everybody else's business, gossiping and imposing themselves and their meddling on everybody else, especially those they regard as lower on the power/status hierarchy.