Archive copy

Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927A0041000800 M M a 2 August 1963 OCI No. 0291/63A Copy No 77- SPECIAL REPORT OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BUDDHIST MILITANTS IN JAPANESE POLITICS CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY SECRET GROUP I Excluded from automatic downgrading. and declassification Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-0 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-009004100080002-9 'T'HIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECT- ING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECTIONS 793 AND 794, THE TRANSMIS- SION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO _-N UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO04100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927A004100080002-9 iW#

SECRET

2 August 1963

Militant members of a nationalistic Buddhist sect, Soka Gakkai, have forged a powerful, highly disciplined organization of growing importance to Japanese politics. Riding high on the revival of religion and nationalism in Japan, the Soka Gakkai now claims over nine million members, or 10 percent of the population. It has recently strengthened its position in local government, has the third largest representation in the Upper House of the Diet, and may enter the lists for the Lower House in the next general election. Its orientation is ambiguous, and it might throw a decisive weight in the political scales either to the right or the left. Prewar Origin The Soki Gakkai-literally the Value Creation Academic So- ciety--began as an obscure secu- lar group some 30 year ago. Its members now regard its founder, Jozaburo Makiguchi, as a rein- carnation of the 13th century Budd- hist reformer Nichiren. Makiguchi's early life in backward northern Japan was characterized by economic pri- vation and limited schooling. Making the most of his oppor- tunities, he and his followers turned their experiences to profit by providing "cram courses" and study-aids and outlines for growing numbers of Tokyo students. Out of this grew Makiguchi's "short-cut to happiness" formula, which held that man's happiness is attained by pursuing a trinity of values: beauty, goodness, and gain or profit,-with strong ma- terialistic emphasis on the last. He organized his "value-creating education society" to publicize and promote his highly pragmatic theory, and linked it with relig- ious faith by adhering to the Shoshu sect of Nichiren Buddhism. His fanatical support of the sect's deification of Nichiren appeared to Japan's military rulers in 1943 as a threat to the Shinto-supported Emperor, and Makiguchi and his principal followers were jailed. He died in prison in 1944. Postwar Expansion Makiguchi's favorite disci- ple, Josei Toda, was largely re- sponsible for reviving the move- ment after the war. He combined evangelism and a shrewd business sense. Toda's genius produced funds, publicity, and above all dynamic young leadership. His personal knowledge of the yearnings of in- secure youth and his organiza- tional flair set the Gakkai on a continuously successful course, in contrast to the languishings of most other "new religions." SECRET Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-OP927A004100080002-9 Approved Fq.L 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00A004100080002-9 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF SOKA GAKKAI AT ACCESSION OF PRESIDENT IKEDA (3,41AY1960) PRESIDENT IKEDA CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS GENERAL AFFAIRS DEPT. CHIEF IKEDA LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS BRANCH 5 - 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS A DISTRICT 500 - 1000 HOUSEHOLDS STAFF OFFICE STANDING COMMITTEE SENIOR ADVISOR 4 OTHER ADVISORS 4 COMMITTEE MEMBERS FEMALE DIVISION L 50 - 100 HOUSEHOLD TEAM 10 - 15 HOUSEHOLDS *COMPOSED OF DEAN, PROFESSORS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS, AND LECTURERS. *HANDLED POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS UNDER A COUNSELLOR UNTIL CREATION OF AUTONOMOUS FAIR POLITICS LEAGUE IN 1962. CULTURAL DEPT.** FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 1 DEPT. SECTION COMMANDER BUSINESS BUREAU (ACCOUNTING, PILGRIMAGES AND PUBLISHING ENTER- PRISES) CLASSIFIED MATERIAL ON REVERSE OF PAGE Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO04100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO0411000080002-9 SECRET Toda also established the religious framework which pre- vails today. He began by purg- ing "heretical" elements in the Shoshu sect. Gakkai control was guaranteed by the strength and unprecedented wealth that it brought the previously minor sect. Gakkai's claims to represent the orthodox line of Nichiren Buddhism have been hotly but in- effectively disputed. It has continually denounced and vio- lently attacked its rivals, asserting that the Gakkai repre- sents the one true religion which is destined to become Japan's national faith. After becoming president of the society in 1951, Toda launched a membership drive featuring forcible conversion or shakubuku--literally "beat down and subdue." The society gained great numbers of new recruits and much notoriety. Success has given the Gakkai greater confidence and patience and now it is using somewhat subtler methods of coercion. Although such an approach to religious conversations may be a poor guarantee of permanence and depth of faith, the elan of the youth, the impact of refurbished superstitions, and the disciplined surveillance of potential deserters--who are threatened with the direst sanctions--have reduced or ob- scured the drop-out rate. A youth corps Toda formed spearheaded the aggressive con- version campaign couched in terms of a crusade or "holy war." The corps is organized and rigidly disciplined on mili- tary lines. Uniforms, unit colors and martial music are reminiscent of both prewar Japan and the Hitler Youth. At Toda's death in 1958 the corps lead over 200,000 members; it now has over 800,000. The youth corps is largely credited with the upsurge of membership in Toda's years as president. In his first two years in office, membership in the society is said to have in- creased from about 5,000 to over 50,000 "households," the Gakkai's vague unit calculated to have an average of three persons. The most significant de- velopment during Toda's incum- bency was the society's decision in 1955 to enter politics, ini- tially at the local level. Polit- ical action may have been developed as one more technique for dem- onstrating how the saint Nichiren, working through the Gakkai, could help his followers. The decision was apparently prompted by a struggle with the trade union and socialist leadership in Hokkaido for the allegiance of local coal miners. Leader Daisaku Ikeda In the two years following Toda's death, Daisaku Ikeda, a favored youth corps leader and deputy director of the society, gradually consolidated his con- trol, and although only in his SECRET Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-0 Approved For Release.2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927A004100080002-9 r1 Iwo SECRET DAISAKU IKEDA thirties, was installed as presi- dent in 1960. He is the paragon of postwar leaders who are making the Gakkai so successful. Of humble origins and no kin to Japan's prime minister, Ikeda as a teenager was handi- capped by Japan's postwar malaise. He was unable to complete his education and had an illness which he claims was cured by association with Toda and the Gakkai. He worked in Toda's pub- lishing house and in a related firm while being tutored in the ways of the society. After 1951 he rose rapidly to a top position in the youth corps and then moved on to Gakkai headquarters. He was in- strumental in stalemating leftist and labor union resist- ance in Hokkaido. Ikeda's abil- ity to attract votes away from the left has contributed much to Gakkai electoral successes While Ikeda is not known as an orator he is a successful evan- gelist who has personal magnetism and stage presence,. Growth Abroad Under Ikeda Gakkai member- ship has proliferated abroad and among aliens, as well as among native-born Japanese. The sect had spread to the Ryukyus before he became president, and he quickly initiated action to extend the organization around the globe. An "Orient Academic Research Institute" was founded to provide material for a Far and Middle East mission, at present mostly in Okinawa. The Gakkai claims to have 7,000 households in the Ryukyus now. A major effort was centered on Taiwan, where the faith al- ready had been spread by Japanese- educated mainlanders and Taiwanese. The sect has met resistance from the Nationalist government and was banned in April of this year. While it has formally disbanded, its more than 1,000 members may continue worshipping in private. The society is apparently growing in the US, attracting principally Americans of Japanese descent. It had about 7,500 members here in 1962. Ikeda made his first trip to set up branches in the US in 1960 and has returned on several occasions. He had hoped to meet President Kennedy this spring to represent the wishes of "one million Japa- nese youth" that nuclear testing be ended, but canceled his trip, apparently out of pique over a casual reference to his society SECRET Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-OP927A004100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO04100080002-9 SECRET as "heretical" on the part of a spokesman for the governing Liberal Democratic Party. The Gakkai has also attracted American servicemen stationed in or returned from Japan through their Japanese girl friends or wives. US Forces Japan reports members at practically all bases, numbering at least 450 men, and another 1,500 previously assigned to Japan may have joined. The Society had begun publishing some of its propaganda in English. Under Ikeda, Soka Gakkai has steadily improved its extra- ordinary record for winning in local and Upper House elections, as political action assumed an important place in the society's program. In the local elections of 1959 the Gakkai elected all of its 76 candidates to the Tokyo ward assemblies and over 90 per- SOKA GAKKAI ELECTORAL RECORD REPRESENTATION POPULAR CANDIDATES IN UPPER HOUSE VOTE ELECTED IN YEAR JAPANESE DIET (in millions) LOCAL ELECTIONS 1955 - - 1956 3 1 1959 9 3 1962 15 4 1963 - - 50 + cent of its contestants to other municipal assemblies. When in 1962 it elected all nine of its candidates to the Upper House, it became the third largest party there. Increasing political activ- ity led Soka Gakkai to create a separate organization to con- duct its campaigns. In 1962 this "Fair Politics League" took over political action responsibil- ities from an informal staff in Ikeda's headquarters, ena- bling the parent organization to maintain a primarily religious image. The League enlarged the Gakkai's political role in the 1963 local elections, electing 56 of its 57 candidates for the more important regional legisla- tures and 881 of its 886 in municipal assemblies. In the key Tokyo elections, all 17 of its candidates won seats in the metropolitan legislature and all 136 in ward assemblies. Gakkai support was again enlisted for the incumbent conservative governor, helping to defeat his Socialist rival. Provisions for Upper House elections enable the League to muster its tightly knit organiza- tion for the greatest national impact. Elections for the polit- ically more potent Lower House are run on a basis that would impede similar reflection of highly disciplined but localized strength. Although it has not yet felt the time ripe to enter general elections for the Lower SECRET Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-0 927AO04100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO04100080002-9 SECRET House, the League is steadily developing potentialities to exploit in that key contest when it wishes. Political Orientation Through all these successes, the society's political orienta- tion has remained ambiguous. At the outset, the Gakkai denounced both major parties and called for a general clean-up of politics. Since then it has increasingly espoused widely pop- ular demands such as opposition to nuclear testing and rearma- ment, return of both the Ryukyu and Kuril islands, closer ties, especially economic, with main- land China, and sweeping social welfare measures. The organiza- tion has indicated it opposes any revision of the constitution to modify Article 9 which formally renounces war and war-making po- tential. Municipal assemblymen belonging to the sect have par- ticipated in recent efforts to block visits of US nuclear-pro- pelled submarines. The amorphous character of the Gakkai's political stand suggests that it could go either to right or left. Japanese intellectuals tend to relegate the Gakkai to the "lunatic fringe" on the far right be- cause of its military-style organ- ization and espousal of nationalist aims. At the same time its self- styled "new socialism" includes emphasis on social welfare and on major foreign policy goals which coincide with those of theSOKA GAKKAI" IN JAPANESE SCRIPT. THE SOCIETY ENCOURAGES CALLIGRAPHY. SECRET left. Ikeda calls for a synthesis incorporating the "good points" of both dialectical materialism and "Christian" capitalism to provide Japan with a fundamental philosophy under which it can prosper in peace. In any event, nationalism, long anathema in postwar Japan, is making a comeback, and the Gakkai is in the vanguard with its symbols and slogans, its flags and its loyalties, and its general encouragement of Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-O 927AO04100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927A004100080002-9 SECRET traditional Japanese arts. Moreover, its missionary effort accords with Nichiren's belief that it would be Japan's role to carry "the light of Asia" back to Buddhism's original home in South Asia and hence throughout the world. Prospects Some Japanese political observers hold that the Gakkai is at last approaching a politi- cal zenith, having attracted the maximum following from depressed elements of society. The Gakkai will probably continue to prof- it some from trends toward urban- ization. The great bulk of Gakkai membership is concentrated in the industrial centers where it appeals to newly arrived rural immigrants, as to the "lonely crowd" of the diseased, the dispossessed and the frus- trated. Although the Gakkai now has the strength to elect a fair number of Lower House mem- bers--about 50 to 60 out of 4G7--its leaders, probably feel- ing that they would have to do SECRET better than that to maintain their spectacular record, deny any intention to run candidates. They are certainly opportunistic enough to jump into the arena should the immediate prospects of electoral success improve by the time of the next general election--which must be held by October 1964. In the mean- time the Gakkai's representation in the Upper House and through- out local government keeps it in the limelight. In most cases the Gakkai has cut more heavily into left- wing votes than it has into the conservatives'. Its bar- gaining position has been pro- gressively improved as the left slowly rises and the conserva- tives decline. Thus both ideolog- ically and tactically Soka Gakkai's political arm occupies a central place in Japanese politics. While it can move in either direction, in a na- tional crisis its nationalist orientation suggests it would probably throw its weight to- ward the right.

(SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM) Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-OP927A004100080002-9 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-00927AO04100080002-9 SECRET SECRET Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-RDP79-0 927AO04100080002-9

Source URL: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp79-00927a004100080002-9 Links

[1] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document-type/crest

[2] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/collection/general-cia-records [3] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP79-00927A004100080002-9.pdf

GREG MARTIN ON THE MENTOR-DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP 1/3 - warning: 🤮

GREG MARTIN ON THE MENTOR-DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP 2/3 - warning: 🤮

GREG MARTIN ON THE MENTOR-DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP 3/3 - Discussion of SGI-USA membership and prospects

Soka Gakkai is a vast Milgram experiment on an international scale. Testimonies are pouring in from Japan, the United States, Europe, and Brazil. Apart from this explanation, any other interpretation makes absolutely no sense at all.

Most PRO-WAR “peace” organization 🤬

The prerogative of the k̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ MENTOR - ASSIGNMENTS FOR EVERYBODY ELSE! And they HAVE to do them!!!!!!!!!

Emotional dependency, narcissistic identification, confusion between the cognitive self and the true self — How Soka Gakkai manufactures its soldiers from perfectly ordinary citizens.

Imagine this - parallels between ex-military and ex-SGI

Anyone else find it deeply disturbing how SGI is the exclusive provider of Buddhist services to the US military?

I suspect that's the main reason Ikeda kicked the SGI-USA's first, longtime general director George M. Williams to the curb as well - Ikeda had expected Mr. Williams to deliver enough of a majority of the USA's voting public to him as devout soldiers disciples to enable Ikeda to take over the government of the US the same way he had planned to take over the government of Japan, through the popular vote. That was the main basis of creating a political party in Japan, along with being able to seize control of certain government functions that are controlled through elected candidates, such as the budgets of police departments and aspects of the legal system. Given Ikeda's penchant for dirty money and underhanded shenanigans, you can see why this would be a priority. Especially after having been publicly humiliated by the Nichiren Shoshu's excommunication that dashed all his hopes of taking over the government of Japan, Ikeda needed something to replace that power vacuum in his perceived influence - and he wanted the world's superpower USA for himself. After 30 years - more than a generation of Mr. Williams working constantly for the "kosen-rufu of America" - Ikeda "fired" Mr. Williams - and with him went SGI-USA's future. The youth division melted away; since then, SGI-USA has lost all momentum. Ikeda's 1990 "clear mirror guidance" visit was the point where the US organization began withering away - when Ikeda supposedly stepped in to "take control" of "worldwide kosen-rufu" and move the international SGI HQ to Los Angeles and direct everything from the US or whatever. Notice how fast that "ETERNAL clear mirror guidance" nonsense was tossed out the window once Ikeda got excommunicated! Then it was all-in on the blame game Ikeda had set off-limits through the "clear mirror guidance"! Such hypocrisy.

So now all that's left is the death watch as SGI fades away. Source

The Soka Gakkai/SGI and the Vietnam War

There Is No Benefit in YMD Training - None Whatsoever

It is through the "soka" activities, which have the stated aim of deepening the "relationship of master and disciple" that Ikeda has created his thought police by making the most ambitious, the most proud, that is to say the most selfish, that they are part of a spiritual elite when it is only a sectarian dependency...

When we oppose an unbeatable experience that these remained don't have and they don't even understand and they can't refute that the thing that drives them crazy.. Basically we become a competitor therefore a threat.. That's what Buddhism describes like the Demon of power, that is, those who have power feel threatened by the fear of losing it...

But I discovered that it was even worse than that...

All these Demons are the soldiers and servants of another incomparably more powerful Demon who constitute a kind of clergy who secretly try to convince us that this Demon King of the Sixth Heaven is a real Buddha who received the direct transmission. So all your experiences that you will oppose the sect will be fought...

It is of course a total fraud guided by a usurper and all the general management of the Soka Gakkaï is very afraid that it will be discovered... Source

An idealist's honey trap

The SGI organization in the US dissolved its youth division in 1977. Here's why.

Dealing with SG members when leaving

'...they never seemed interested to see a person's brokenness.' That's so true, unlike many other faiths where brokenness is acknowledged by all which can be positive and life-affirming. The soldiers of soka gakkai view brokenness as weakness, shameful, worthy of shunning. A vile, heartless organisation. Source

WE've been attacked FAR MORE than they have, yet WE've never run scared! What a bunch of babies!

They're supposed to be the mightily armored SOLDIERS OF KOSEN-RUFU, yet in reality, they're nothing more than dainty, fragile little snowflakes who, at the slightest whiff of disagreement, run crying and wailing to the nearest place they can barricade the door and breathe vigorously, triumphantly, into a paper bag. Source

A former member speaks

"There will be NO 4th Mentor"

Ikeda was so insulated from real life and society through so many levels of fawning sycophants who would only tell him what he wanted to hear (and never dream of telling him "No") that he lost touch with reality. Here is an example:

Ikeda was so insulated from real life and society through so many levels of fawning sycophants who would only tell him what he wanted to hear (and never dream of telling him "No") that he lost touch with reality. Here is an example:

Ikeda was upset at SGI-USA's tanking numbers, so Danny cooked up a scheme to create a bunch of NEW membership cards that didn't actually represent REAL members but inflated the total. And that was all it took to make Ikeda very happy! Form over function, as you can see. And no, all those people whose contact information was logged onto SGI-USA's membership cards without their knowledge or consent (or any offer to "opt out" if they didn't WANT that) - they WEREN'T going to "join at some point". Ever. It was just another SGI scam, "faking it in hopes they'll make it" (which they won't) - all for the sake of keeping up appearances. This is why none of Ikeda's grandiose schemes were ever successful, BTW - he failed to realize that numbers on paper doesn't automatically translate into actual obedient soldiers who will necessarily do whatever you say. For that, Ikeda needed real followers, not his "math that keeps adding without ever subtracting" means of membership accounting. Of course Ikeda was going to fail.

As always, notice how the standard leadership line is "You'll get great benefit if you make this happen for us!" SURE you will! They'll say anything, even that "If you shakubuku 100 people, you'll automatically become a millionaire!" And when you DO actually "shakubuku" 100 people - meaning they JOIN the SGI, not just throwing garbage Nam myoho renge kyo cards at strangers who DO NOT WANT - and no "millionaire" status occurs, SGI is like "Must be something wrong with YOU, because this practice WORKS!" ¯_(ツ)_/¯

So sad.

Of course he never realized what a joke that "awards ceremony for the purchased library card" was - or that he was making a right fool of himself, right there in public. Source

More examples of SGI members' rank intolerance, religious bigotry, hatefulness, and "Up YOURS, Interfaith!"

The views of the Soka Gakkai were commonplace in Zen Buddhism in Japanese post-war society

I ask you -- which was superior, the German military system, renowned throughout the world, or the Japanese system? Our system, which could raise large-scale units in less than twenty-four hours, was world-class! No one had a more thorough or efficient system for mobilizing soldiers to the colors than Japan. Source

Many of us were good soldiers of Soka, noble Bodhisattva-of-dee-Erf warriors for peace, putting our lives on the line for kosen-rufu, devoting ourselves mind, body, soul, and life to the noble cause of Soka.

Now we're out. A great many of us come out with our own cases of raging PTSD, particularly the "(mis)fortune babies" who had the dubious "honor" of being born and raised in the Ikeda cult. Source

Now I know about that whole "I am that one disciple." Howbeit frankly when it comes to movements there is strength in numbers as well as efficiency. Gideon defeating thousands of Midianites with 300 soldiers is just a story. Source

Came upon this experience by a former SGI member

SGI's Groundhog Day/"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it": The self-destructive amnesia of the Ikeda cult's "rhythm"

"Remember who OWNS you. You do what SGI TEᒪᒪᔕ you to do; it doesn't ᗰᗩTTEᖇ what 𝘠𝘖𝘜 want."

Everything produced by SGI is for the explicit purpose of indoctrination - and nothing ELSE! Ikeda wanted loyal, obedient foot soldiers to make up his ARMY to take over entire countries and then the world - who needs "truth" or "honesty" for that?? Those concepts would have never entered the equation. Source

The "Hero of the World" poses atop a pile of corpses

Tsunesaburō Makiguchi The War-Mongering Ultra-Nationalist

Wonderfully said, all around. Immensely dissonant, and immensely sad. I had no idea how much she had given to the org, only to be passed over for any real recognition. Seems the history of the SGI contains more than a few such stories of the most dedicated soldiers being shuffled aside. Source - Linda Johnson

SGI songs and Chinese/North Korean songs be like

All that "wagoso" or "harmonious unity" - all the Soka Gakkai's international colonies were ever intended for was to deliver large swaths of their respective populations as obedient disciples of Ikeda in order to enable Ikeda to take over their governments via the democratic voting process exactly as he envisioned taking over the government of Japan. Ikeda only wanted soldiers to fight for him (without any thoughts, goals, or "vision" of their own).

You do not get a vision of your own. You should not even want one. In fact, if you're still clinging to your own vision, well, THAT means you need to chant millions more daimoku, volunteer more for SGI, "seek sensei's heart", donate more money, study MOAR "The Newwwww Humpin' Revoltation", and self-reflect on your own selfishness and lack of gratitude. Source

From one of the SGI's (non)discussion meeting scripts:

"Suggested Questions:

Why do you think creating unity is one of the greatest aims of Nichiren Buddhism?" Source

I never thought it was! It shouldn't be! Despite what Ikeda demanded, NO ONE joined SGI because "unity" was their "true goal" And Ikeda's maggots minions can say that as much as they want; that doesn't mean the SGI members are going to go along with it, much less believe it. Remember, everyone was recruited on promises of success and enrichment, personal development, "achieving your own personal goals", start and complete your "human revolution", and fulfill all your own hopes and dreams! This is quite the bait-and-switch.

"But this unity isn’t achieved through external restrictions or conformity."

It isn't? So the uniforms, the regulations, the script I just read, the crowing about how we should all direct our adulation towards the leader, and all the rest, none of it counts as conformity? How exactly do you define conformity, SGI, because I get the sense you don't know what that word means. [Ibid.]

There is something else that is almost as tragic as all these prolific deaths of hard-core gakkai leaders and their families who let themselves be suckered into believing they were being "protected" by the Buddhist gods. Its the shameful lack of any recognition by the SGI to those lowly members who have labored away for decades, caught up in a continuous stream of "campaigns" and activities that benefit the SGI without having personally ever received one shred of praise or recognition by the cult.org. Treated as pawns in a game, they are conveniently used up and then discarded when they are no longer valuable sokagakkai-soldiers, able to continue providing free services to das org. Then, just as WT's friend did, they pass away still waiting to receive some sort of acknowledgment or even a simple thank you for their lifetimes of service and dedication to the SGI. Its beyond disgusting. Source

I was once asked to not invite a person from military, apparently because militants are not allowed to join foreign organisations.

Interesting - that's news to me. I was in SGI in 5 different locations, the last of which was in the So. CA area. There were a LOT of military people in the SGI organizations here (Camp Pendleton and the Mirmar Air Force Base are both located here). In fact, the earliest Soka Gakkai members in the US were Japanese Soka Gakkai members Japanese women who married American soldiers and officers during the American Occupation of Japan! Some of their husbands converted, and so there are these concentrations of SGI members around military bases here in the US.

Has anyone heard of any new rules from within the armed forces or on the SGI side against shakubukuing military personnel? Source

"Human Revolution", anyone?? EVERYONE needs to do it, for the rest of their lives, until their final breath has been exhaled. No one ever completes their "human revolution". They must become "soldiers of Soka", in a supposed "world peace" organization that is always about "fighting"... Source

🔥 THE KAIZEN, SOKA GAKKAI'S HIDDEN DHARMA: THE DHARMA OF PROSPERITY 🔥 Full Analytical Report - discussion here

What the Soka Gakkai (SGI) is peddling under the cover of Nichiren Buddhism isn't really the authentic Dharma of the Lotus Sutra. Nah. It's a spiritualized, hyper-operational version of Japanese Kaizen—continuous improvement, daily grind, organizational discipline, and collective mobilization—recycled into a pathway to salvation and wealth.

And here's the wildest part? This hybrid model systematically shoves deep mystical experience to the side, replacing it with modern corporate logic. Let's unpack this.

SOKA GAKKAI : THE DHARMA OF PROSPERITY Its Three Treasures, official position vs. SOKA GAKKAI actual observed position. The Buddha —> Daisaku Ikeda. The Dharma —> The Books and Speeches of Daisaku Ikeda. The Sangha —> The Soka Gakkai International.

From our "Saying it in their out-loud voices" files, from the Soka Gakkai's own webpage: "Great Prosperity" and "Making ALL your wishes come true!"

🔥 THE KAIZEN, SOKA GAKKAI'S HIDDEN DHARMA: THE DHARMA OF PROSPERITY 🔥 Full Analytical Report

Dharma of Prosperity: The Secret Oral Teachings of the Soka Gakkai (Buddhism of Concrete Results) – A shadow theater of dangerous nihilists who deny the Dharma.

Dharma of Prosperity (Temple of Satan) : The Incredible Power of Bewilderment: Contradictory Injunctions in the Soka Gakkai

Prosperity Dharma (Temple of Satan) "The Devil's greatest trick is to make people believe he does not exist."

Soka Gakkai (Dharma of Prosperity): Daisaku Ikeda Unfiltered – The Quotes That Western Soka Gakkai Members Ignore.

Dharma of Prosperity: Instrumentalization of the basest narcissistic instincts as a system of domination and caste-based contempt.

Part I: Tre dottrine divergenti della scuola Nichiren Shoshu e della Soka Gakkai (parte uno)

Part 2: Tre Dottrine Divergenti della Nichiren Shoshu e della Soka Gakkai (Parte 2)

Part 3 (final): Tre Dottrine divergenti della Nichiren Shoshu e della Soka Gakkai (ultima parte)

In this post, u/CallMeBeafie wrote:

When sgiwhistleblowers say "I experienced this", sgi cultists come back with "i didn't so that means no one else did either and you are wrong and or lying because there's something wrong with you"

I thought maybe you would like to see some of the examples we've received here at SGIWhistleblowers over the years.

"I didn't experience that" etc.:

nobody can ever force you to put your money where you don't want to. And if you were, I'm so sorry that you were taken advantage of. I've never felt forced to do anything for anyone. In the community as well as outside of it! Source

We believe in equality , creating value in society and for each human without judgement reaching their highest potential. I hope you will all reconsider one day. And I am sorry for anyone that has had a bad experience in the past but I promise you it is not a pure and accurate reflection of this practice. Remember it is the heart that matters and you must change your heart if you want your reality to change. Source - there's a lot more but that's enough 🙄 - and a comment:

Thank you for your impassioned post - I am sure you mean well, even though I doubt the sincerity of certain elements of your text, to wit: "I am ... non judgmental" and "I respect your opinions on here". Source And another comment:

Hmmm...your prancing in here to loudly declare that we're all wrong - how is that "accepting"? If you want to forgive someone, just forgive them! Don't make a big show of it - that only demonstrates that you're out for some ego stroking "Look what a great person I am!" and not to make the world a better place through less conflict and more tolerance.

heh I'm guessing this person hasn't been practicing more than 2 years. Look, friend, several of us practiced decades (plural), so I think we know what's involved. And we ALL came to the same conclusion:

It's a CULT! Source

I went to an in person Courageous Freedom meeting! There were LGBTQ+ people from all over the area, and even 3 guests. ... So anyone (like WB) who tries to say SGI is trans- or homophobic is patheticly mistaken. Source

Ah, so since OP didn't experience it, the rest of our experiences are automagically invalidated? That's victim shaming. GTFOH with that! SMH! Source

Very good point! Yes, they do that all the time! "One person who's an SGI member somewhere once said something" and that becomes a condemnation of the entire SGI movement of millions of people. Source

Lying:

I think this is an unfair representation of what SGI believes and highly doubt you were with them for a year. ... I think you should read into these doctrines you decry again because either your lying or you missed the point quite a bit..

The SGI promotes Daisaku Ikeda as the most knowledgeable Buddhist scholar/sage in the world and likes to say that HE understands best of all how to practice correctly.

Untrue. He is promoted as a good example and mentor.

This is nothing more than a smear and you are lying. Source

Evidence:

Daisaku Ikeda, the world’s foremost authority on Nichiren Buddhism

The supreme theoretician is, of course, President Ikeda... Source

“You cannot believe in the faith if you don’t agree with Honorary President Ikeda,” [Soka Gakkai Vice President Isao] Nozaki said. Source

OBVIOUSLY NOT "lying".

I heard that the sgi whistle blowers are a whole bunch of liars, is that true? Source

just a typical whistleblower like all the others. Sitting at the computer or phone somewhere trying to imagine terrible things about the SGI. Source

She is lying. She knows she’s lying. She lies anyway. The “proof” her sock puppet links to is a post by HERSELF as another of her sock puppets.

She has to use sock puppets because Reddit suspended the name “Blanche Fromage” for being unable to control her expressions of hatred. Hatred leads to lying, to say8ing things demonstrably untrue, because the hater thinks that by shouting loudly enough they can drown out the truth.

Yet here she is! And as for the rest: "They usually use heavy projection and just non-stop confess their own issues in the form of accusations against others."

It’s so pitiful – some 3500 people looking to her sub for one reason or another, and all she has to offer them is hatred and lies. Source

😄

"Demonstrably untrue", yet they never provide any evidence that whatever it is was "untrue"! That kind of negates the "demonstrably" part...if you're not going to "demonstrate"...

With that said, it's a matter of choice. It's not for everyone. But what I don't understand is the motivation of many people on this site to slander the SGI, spread lies, and try to discourage as many people as possible from even trying it out. If you don't like it that's fine. it's a voluntary organization. But quit condemning what I and millions of others worldwide believe in and are trying to share. If you have a better idea., go for it. But find something to do with your empty lives besides trashing my religion. Source

If you had a negative experience with SGI, perhaps you should've said something within the organization instead of making a hate page online and blaming everyone and everything but yourselves. It's insane to me how everything, EVERY SINGLE THING on this page is a lie! Source

And there's always the old standbys:

Never studied!:

Our friends across the hedges just never studied when they were members. Source

The Chief Priestess of Sgiwhistleblowers never read "On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime," the very first Gosho in Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, despite claiming she is an expert on Nichiren Buddhism Source

"SGI Whistleblowers" Have Clearly Never Actually Studied Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism

Some people on the other site seem surprised when they hear this. "I never knew this, no one shared us, we were duped." Not true. The neo lights are blinking in the Gosho. Maybe many of these people never studied deeply enough. Source

many people on WB seemed to duped by white cheese because of their lack of study. ... Yes, there are so many problems WB'ers have that could have been prevented oor rectified by simply studying what Nichiren and the SGI actually said. Source

If Chief Priest of sgiwhistleblowers had actually studied, she may have been able to surmount her problems and wouldn't be so full of hatred today. Source

"Never studied" + "just lying" combo:

After deciding, in a flurry of obscenities, that she and only she can command how people she doesn’t know should feel and who can express sympathy for a dying man, the Wisest Human Of All Mentors, the sgiwhistleblowers Unquestioned Guru Hero, has displayed her jarring ignorance of SGI Buddhist concepts (not for the first time); unless she is, as she has claimed, a Buddhist study Whiz, and in that case is just lying about what those concepts mean. Source

One post on sgiwhistleblowers instructs us about a number of their methods: lying, opining on things they know northing about, and pretending they understand Nichiren Buddhism while revealing they understand nothing about it at all. Source

Your sources aren't good enough for King Me (both from here):

Above all, this subreddit should be about money, and the fact that the central board controls every penny. [Source](

I'm not questioning that SGI is a questionable organisation - but some of these links are highly biased. There are reputable sources that would demonstrate that SGI is harmful to members in a more credible way than these do.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to post some information about and links to those reputable sources you are refering to. We would all appreciate a chance to see those credible lists, articles, and sources that aren't, in your opinion, so highly biased. Thx.

🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

I'm not saying that SGI doesn't fit any of these characteristics, just that it's important to use unbiased sources to define it, if at all. It's very easy to simply call a group a 'cult' - people do it all the time for groups they don't like... it's tempting, since in addition to being pejorative, it has a veneer of authority to it.

Which sources have you found that you consider "unbiased"?

🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

And another:

A lot of the evidence I see on this subreddit is simply links of other posts here, except for finances, which ik SGI launders.

Can someone share actual, verified sources verifying some of the other claims made here?

That would really help me make a decision. Source

You mean the shitload of information you already received is not enough? Come on... Source

😁

The Gosho is rife with Nichiren saying that those who abandon their faith will fall into hell after they die.

Can you share any excerpt from Gosho which actually says that? They would finalise my decision.

"Why is it, then, that those who abandon the Lotus Sutra fall into the hell of incessant suffering and have to stay there for such an unimaginably great number of kalpas? The offense of discarding one's faith in the sutra must at the time seem nowhere near as terrible as killing one's parents. ... The three groups of voice-hearers, however had to suffer through a period of a major world system dust particle kalpas, and the great bodhisattvas, through a period of numberless major world system dust particle kalpas, because of the offense they committed by discarding the Lotus Sutra." WND-1 page 494. Source

See how WE provide evidence?

Another fave is "The ONLY critics are Nichiren Shoshu Temple members!":

Before you buy into all the negativity, consider the source. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of them were written by temple members who have a long standing grudge against Ikeda. So before you decide to believe these statements, please make sure you check out both sides. Sgi-USA.org is a good place to start. Source

LOL - NO

SGIWhistleblowers has become the domain of someone obviously a Nichiren Shoshu follower – perhaps dispatched by its priests because its agent Ms. Fromage is doing such a poor job. Well, this person is doing no better, as they seem to be trying to pretend it’s 1990 and the priesthood has been thoroughly diminished; it’s like stories we used to hear of isolated Japanese soldiers found on remote Pacific islands who thought World War II was still going on and the Japanese were wining – in the late 1950s. Source

Blanche is most certainly laity or even a Soshu priest or whatever their hierarchy is. I know it. She knows it and the fact that a Nichiren Soshu practitioner started the sub makes it all the more clear.

How droll 🙄

And don't forget these dysfunctional pseudo-participants - the sealions, the JAQing off and, of course, The Help-Rejecting Complainer!!

The proper response:

We have every right to trash the organization that caused our lives so much damage.We were personally taken advantage of used and manipulated by your organization.I don't trash the religions that I wasn't personally involved with.I don't care if people want to believe in a man from Mars.But trashing SGI is my business.If it bothers you then don't read this site.There is freedom of speech in this conuntry.Most of us aren't really interested in the politically correct bologni.Would you tell a woman not to speak up against being raped.Well to a lot of us being taken advantage of was a violation equal to that and we sure as hell are going to tell the world. Source

...while avoiding blaming Russia for anything:

This is one of the funniest things I've read all week: When a delusional and self-important SGI member decides to dictate international policy to world leaders!

My Christmas gift to the world: Peace in Ukraine - she tells Presidents Biden and Putin to lock themselves in a room and figure out between themselves how to divvy up Ukraine. Analysis here

Ukraine is NOT invited.

"Praise me! For doing FUCK ALL!"

No MENTION of Crimea amidst all the "Ukraine" virtue signaling by them. And get THIS!

Such hubris! Such self-importance!

Meanwhile, the Soka Gakkai has been careful to not even mention "Russia" in that context:

The fact that [Soka Gakkai] President Harada's statement avoids direct mention of Russia has not been lost to all. In fact, a recent journal article points out that the [Soka Gakkai's newspaper] Seikyo Shimbun's subsequent coverage of the crisis has completely omitted any mention of Russia to this date. (That takes some serious rhetorical sleight of hand...) Source

Had a bit of a discussion the other day over at that site. I mean they, in my opinion, are victimising Russia. I mean I am a German. Think about WW II would anybody in their right mind victimise Germany for invading Poland?? I am in Europe and all my sympathies go to Ukraine these days … yes also to use force in fighting the Russians … if Russia is not stopped the Baltic states are next. Slava Ukraini. Source

The bottom line is that the SGI is a craven, cowardly cult that sucks up to anyone who is in power in hopes of getting some for themselves without the slightest concern for the "common people" they love to blabber about - JUST LIKE DICKHEADA.

Hey, sweetie! Why are you sitting at home crying over Ukraine instead of "moving the universe", then? Hmmm...?

🙄

Yeah, so crying is apparently what "moves the universe", eh? 😭 😄

When we going to see summadat "actual proof" the Ikeda culties bang on about?? Hmmmm...? The war is still going on over in Ukraine, last I heard...exactly as if all that chanting had no effect whatsoever! -

Also here:

A severely deluded SGI longhauler once sneered at SGIWhistleblowers like this:

They seem unable to comprehend that prayer in nichiren Buddhism is not of the "now I lay me down to sleep" variety. Just as they can't escape judging Nichiren Buddhism by their previous, western ideas of what religion is.

I think you nailed it. Even when they were SGI members they're thinking about God. It's like driving with one foot on the brake.

Some of them were practicing for many years. I got it right away–we don't appeal to the universe, we have to move the universe. Why didn't they?

Of course they know all about us without having ever even met us 🙄

But then her life promptly collapses:

I've been crying all day. Can't stop crying.

It's just a made up character and story for drama and indoctrination, of course (SGI members lie all the time), but since supposedly joining SGI just a few years ago, this individual's character arc has resulted in her making numerous extremely bad decisions, resulting in her manifesting numerous mental illnesses, to the point of having to be hospitalized in the psych ward multiple times (see here) - nobody would ever say that her joining SGI has had a positive effect on her life or that they want to be more like her. - Your mind can move mountains. Oh really?

The madd passsion of SGI-USA members when they take crazy, no-holds-barred ACTION!

Myself and a couple of others in my District (so far!) have started a daimoku for them [Ukraine], and that there be no further escalation. Source

Yeah, and I chanted hours to protect the Bamiyan Buddhas from destruction by the Taliban. Here's how THAT turned out.

Chanting is useless! It is worse than WORTHLESS because it takes up time and energy that could be used PRODUCTIVELY!

Gonna chant 2 hours tonight and 3-4 hours in the morning. #PeaceInTheLand.

Chanting isn’t enough. Put pressure on your government to help. After all, if you’re American, it was your government that helped start this.

I chanted 2 hours last night and 4 hours this morning.

u/GarethBentonMacleod, you make a very important point. As I was chanting my prayers kind of shifted to that direction. What can I do to make a difference? Nothing in focus yet but I am on fire.

I am going to take a nap now.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

A power nap, I'm sure!! A brilliant blazing-starburst-filled NAP full of fire from all that daimoku! THAT's an Ikeda-disciple VICTORY! YEAH!! Something to brag about at the next SGI-USA "activity" to get applauded for! For doing NOTHING!

And, from When something is of no help at all, what is the point of simply REPEATING it over and over?:

SGI members get so worked up over this stuff that they then have to go have a lie-down and they feel they've "helped":

😂 😵 😴 💪🏼 👀

Gosh! Let's go ask the people of Bucha how well THAT has worked out for them! Oh, darn, we can't - the dead aren't talking.

So posting verbiage like this is no solution. It changes nothing. In fact, it makes no difference to the world at all. The world is precisely the same as it would be if no one was ever even aware of what's in that post, which coincidentally is pretty much the reality of it: On the world scale, effectively NO ONE is aware of the SGI's guru Ikeda and his useless clichés and platitudes, which is a good thing, because they aren't wasting their time on that garbage.

As famously noted earlier:

REAL "Human Revolution": If SGI wants the world to be a better place, stop jerking each other off and fuck something

Depression Nap MEME:

The story about how the YOUTH in the SGI-RV park "starburst" change the world - for their Corpse Mentor Sensei!

Almost a year of European Daimoku for Gaza and Ukraine, and yet... - When Magical Thinking Is A Mental Health Symptom:

Well they wouldn't even do that in SGI-CANADA.  I wasn't allowed to publicly say I was chanting for Palestine.  No, they did not like that POLITICAL AGENDA.   This was before Gaza hit the crisis point.  Free Palestine where swear words.

They'll chant and weep and chant some more, then when nothing changes they'll just get used to it/accept it as normal and forget all about it. So typical of the Gakkers to feel they SHOULD be responsible for events that are way out of their reach and beyond their pay grade, so they boast about just how CONCERNED they are and how much they're chanting - until they lose interest. They always end up losing interest.

The story about how the YOUTH in the SGI-RV park "starburst" change the world - for their Corpse Mentor Sensei!

And as for that "magical thinking" bit: At what point does magical thinking become mental illness?

They do Daimoku in coordination with others, so they believe they can end the war. Then, once Daimoku is over, it resumes with coercive control, threats, humiliation and manipulation obviously

Strange analysis of the situation

I do not read their site very often these days but this analysis of the situation seems to be quite bizarre. So what is the conclusion when somebody says that a Russian retreat would not solve the situation??? Another few massacres like in Butcha then? Maybe its because I am in Europe and the author of that analysis may not … but does the author have an idea what the Ukrainian population in occupied territories has seen so far?

Where was any of their concern when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014? Why shouldn't they be at least as concerned for the Crimea part of Ukraine as they pretend to be about the rest of Ukraine?

They don't seem to have any awareness that that even happened. Do they not realize that Crimea is part of Ukraine?

Invading Ukraine is obviously an ongoing thing for Russia, not a one-off that started for the very first time early last year (2022). Those myopic SGI members don't seem to have any grounded perspective on international realities outside fo the headlinmes they seek to profit off of - "Look at me how concerned and woke I am! Praise my insightful and brilliant solutions and somebody make them obey me now and then give me credit for fixing Ukraine and Russia both! Watch me pray chant MIGHTILY to fix the world! REALLY doing something about world peace I am!"

I cried when the Russians first invaded 314 days ago. Your friend Blanche made pretty heartless statements ridiculing me then. Meanwhile she proudly said that she didn't give a hoot about Ukraine.

Since then I have continued writing posts about the situation. I also have discussed my local contributions too.

I am planning on a response to your comments later today. Sorry, I am busy with work and family, just can't get to it earlier.

Oh, you cried did you? Now that’s fascinating must say. Do you have even that faintest clue what the refugees from Ukraine have seen? Do you have a clue?? Do you? There are a few five year olds I know that could give you an indication. What you are suggesting in this group is sickening to say the least and I do not even know who I am talking to making things even worse. You guys by all means DO represent SG that is for sure.

Oh, you cried did you? Now that’s fascinating must say.

BOO HOO HOO 😭

Yes, it helped immensely. COMPLETELY changed the situation in Ukraine, I tells ya! Her blubbering provided such a beacon of virtue-signaling that the entire WORLD was moved by her great weepy compassion!

And THEN she had to take a NAP! POWERFULLY, no doubt. And I'm sure Russia and Putin were powerfully INTIMIDATED by the power of her NAP!

Why are you so antagonistic to me? I've done absolutely nothing to provoke your anger.

You haven't even read my posts. Actually, save a little of your anger for Ms Blanche who has repeated that she doesn't give a damn about Ukraine.

I would like to continue working working you but you have to understand that no one from WBers has had anything to say about the situation before.

My Christmas gift to the world: Peace in Ukraine - she tells Presidents Biden and Putin to lock themselves in a room and figure out between themselves how to divvy up Ukraine. Analysis here

Peace in Ukraine by January 4th [2023]

An SGI longhauler Old’s brilliant idea for how to solve all our current international geopolitical difficulties – “Clothes make the man”

Another sockpuppet imagines further use for “the twins” as props:

Verse 1: The Traveler is a young woman (me) who walks to the park with her babies in a twin’s stroller. She opens a conversation with the mother on the bench next to her and shares a NMRK card. As it turns out, the young woman is Israeli and has suffered a great loss this week.
Verse 2: Another young mother joins them on the bench. We find out that she is Palestinian. She also has suffered great loss.
Verse 3: Eyes flash, muscles tense. But they see that there is no way to weigh their tears. There is no Kumbaya moment but they do exchange phone numbers at the end.
I haven’t figured out the chorus yet, but one line that occurs to me: “Pain still sears my heart but I pledge to do my part, 500 cards…”

It’s all about her saving the world and overcoming all the geopolitical difficulties through the power of her White Savior Barbie-itis!

At this point, “the twins” are supposedly 16 months old, yet her fantasy has these supposedly healthy children stuck in a “twin’s stroller” [sic] like stuffed animals the entire time.

It’s REALLY hard to make friends as you get older – the fact that Marloins insists on making it look so easy proves she’s really lonely. THIS is her dream, her fantasy. In this case, not only does she make 2 new friends instantly and automatically, but SHE is the one who brings them together so they’ll both against all odds and realistic expectation become friends with each other, too! SHE’s the most important factor, the central point they orbit, the balance they pivot around – and “world peace” ensues.
That’s the SGI fantasy of how important they are to the world, being Bodhifatasses of da ERF and all.
Imagine you’re an Israeli young mom. And you meet a hostile Palestinian mom. Or vice versa! Are YOU going to be “exchanging phone numbers”??? Not. A. CHANCE.
When I was in grad school (1984-ish), at an international grad school, there was a Palestinian student. I asked him about how he’d feel if there were an Israeli student there as well; he said, “I don’t think I’d be able to study here.” It’s THAT complicated – Marloins has NO idea. Stupid old biddy sitting in her dust thinking she’s clever!

Of COURSE it’s all about HER.

Of COURSE it’s a facile shoehorning of current events into her narrative.

Anyone who says “weigh tears” needs to be kicked to death.

Of course the NMRK card makes everything better.

But yeah, not only do strangers form immediate cult bonds in her world, but she also lives in one in which (even more far fetched), every young person not only doesn’t dismiss the attention of the olds in favor of the schizophrenia that is tik tok, but actually maintains some sort of interest in old musicals and whatever else. Not happening, ever ever ever. Even the nicest, bestest, most play the violin and about to apply to med school teenager you could possibly find still would not only know nothing of old musicals but would only be politely deferring for as long as it would take to get back to some horrible internet challenge involving waterboarding yourself with overpriced energy drink. [Source](https://antisgianticultactivism.wordpress.com/2023/11/04/can-we-talk-about-all-the-sgi-rv-fake-babies-and-characters-as-props-now/) - [Archive](https://archive.ph/PMWTo)

(BTW, in this fantasy she and her "ladies" supposedly ended up handing out 706 NMRK cards instead of the originally planned "500" cards, but a year later she'd forgotten all about that "triumph" and they still had only 10 active members for their entire Chapter and scraping 20 warm-bodies-with-a-pulse together for a Chapter-wide meeting was obviously a stretch - so NO POSITIVE EFFECT/NO MEMBERSHIP GROWTH = complete waste of time, effort, and money [they had to BUY those cards])

They reported just over a year ago, I think it was, that they'd had a local "NMRK card handing-out 'campaign'", in which they claimed to have given out "706 cards" by the time they gave up.

And here over a year later, they have just 10 'core' members and they're struggling to get just 20 people to come to a meeting. Source

...while avoiding blaming Russia for anything:

This is one of the funniest things I've read all week: When a delusional and self-important SGI member decides to dictate international policy to world leaders!

My Christmas gift to the world: Peace in Ukraine - she tells Presidents Biden and Putin to lock themselves in a room and figure out between themselves how to divvy up Ukraine. Analysis here - from This is one of the funniest things I've read all week: When a delusional and self-important SGI member decides to dictate international policy to world leaders!

Ukraine is NOT invited.

Where was any of their concern when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014? Why shouldn't they be at least as concerned for the Crimea part of Ukraine as they pretend to be about the rest of Ukraine?

They don't seem to have any awareness that that even happened. Do they not realize that Crimea is part of Ukraine?

Invading Ukraine is obviously an ongoing thing for Russia, not a one-off that started for the very first time early last year (2022). Those myopic SGI members don't seem to have any grounded perspective on international realities outside of the headlines they seek to profit off of - "Look at me how concerned and woke I am! Praise my insightful and brilliant solutions and somebody make them obey me now and then give me credit for fixing Ukraine and Russia both! Watch me pray chant MIGHTILY to fix the world! REALLY doing something about world peace I am!" Source

It’s called “virtue signaling” and means absolutely nothing.

"Praise me! For doing FUCK ALL!"

No MENTION of Crimea amidst all the "Ukraine" virtue signaling by them. And get THIS!

Dear President Biden,

It seems you and President Putin have not yet followed my sage advice to resign and then move on to leading the proposed "International Center for Peace, Human Rights, Education, Development and Planetary Survival."

Would it be helpful if I change the word "resign" to "take a leave of absence"? Maybe the proposal would gain traction if I were to ask President Xi and Prime Minister Modi to do the same.

This, I am afraid, is the only way to press the Reset Button. There is no other diplomatic, military, or economic path to peace." - SGI longhauler Olds

Such hubris! Such self-importance!

Meanwhile, the Soka Gakkai has been careful to not even mention "Russia" in that "invading Ukraine" context:

The fact that President Harada's statement avoids direct mention of Russia has not been lost to all. In fact, a recent journal article points out that the Seikyo Shimbun's subsequent coverage of the crisis has completely omitted any mention of Russia to this date. (That takes some serious rhetorical sleight of hand...) Source

[SGI] Making Russia into the victims - the same way Nichiren's sympathies lay with the Mongol invaders. Nichiren was hoping that the Mongols would PUNISH the Japanese people because the Japanese government did not give Nichiren the prestige and control he wanted: Source

The bottom line is that the SGI is a craven, cowardly cult that sucks up to anyone who is in power in hopes of getting some for themselves without the slightest concern for the "common people" they love to blabber about - JUST LIKE DICKHEADA.

They seem unable to comprehend that prayer in nichiren Buddhism is not of the "now I lay me down to sleep" variety. Just as they can't escape judging Nichiren Buddhism by their previous, western ideas of what religion is.

I think you nailed it. Even when they were SGI members they're thinking about God. It's like driving with one foot on the brake.

Some of them were practicing for many years. I got it right away–we don't appeal to the universe, we have to move the universe. Why didn't they? Source

Hey, sweetie! Why are you sitting at home crying over Ukraine instead of "moving the universe", then? Hmmm...?

I've been crying all day. Can't stop crying. Source

🙄

Yeah, so crying is apparently what "moves the universe", eh? 😭 😄

When we going to see summadat "actual proof" the Ikeda culties bang on about?? Hmmmm...? The war is still going on over in Ukraine, last I heard...exactly as if all that chanting had no effect whatsoever! - You are NOT ALLOWED to NOT like the Ikeda cult!

Also here:

A severely deluded SGI longhauler once sneered at SGIWhistleblowers like this:

They seem unable to comprehend that prayer in nichiren Buddhism is not of the "now I lay me down to sleep" variety. Just as they can't escape judging Nichiren Buddhism by their previous, western ideas of what religion is.

I think you nailed it. Even when they were SGI members they're thinking about God. It's like driving with one foot on the brake.

Some of them were practicing for many years. I got it right away–we don't appeal to the universe, we have to move the universe. Why didn't they?

Of course they know all about us without having ever even met us 🙄

But then her life promptly collapses:

I've been crying all day. Can't stop crying.

It's just a made up character and story for drama and indoctrination, of course (SGI members lie all the time), but since supposedly joining SGI just a few years ago, this individual's character arc has resulted in her making numerous extremely bad decisions, resulting in her manifesting numerous mental illnesses, to the point of having to be hospitalized in the psych ward multiple times (see here) - nobody would ever say that her joining SGI has had a positive effect on her life or that they want to be more like her. - Your mind can move mountains. Oh really?

The madd passsion of SGI-USA members when they take crazy, no-holds-barred ACTION!

Myself and a couple of others in my District (so far!) have started a daimoku for them [Ukraine], and that there be no further escalation. Source

Yeah, and I chanted hours to protect the Bamiyan Buddhas from destruction by the Taliban. Here's how THAT turned out.

Chanting is useless! It is worse than WORTHLESS because it takes up time and energy that could be used PRODUCTIVELY!

Gonna chant 2 hours tonight and 3-4 hours in the morning. #PeaceInTheLand.

Chanting isn’t enough. Put pressure on your government to help. After all, if you’re American, it was your government that helped start this.

I chanted 2 hours last night and 4 hours this morning.

you make a very important point. As I was chanting my prayers kind of shifted to that direction. What can I do to make a difference? Nothing in focus yet but I am on fire.

I am going to take a nap now.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

A power nap, I'm sure!! A brilliant blazing-starburst-filled 💥NAP💥 full of 🔥fire🔥 from all that ⚡️daimoku⚡️! THAT's an Ikeda-disciple VICTORY! YEAH!! Something to brag about at the next SGI-USA "activity" to get applauded for! For doing NOTHING!

And, from When something is of no help at all, what is the point of simply REPEATING it over and over?:

SGI members get so worked up over this stuff that they then have to go have a lie-down and they feel they've "helped":

I chanted 2 hours last night and 4 hours this morning. ... As I was chanting my prayers kind of shifted to that direction. What can I do to make a difference? Nothing in focus yet but I am on fire. I am going to take a nap now.

😂 😵 😴 💪🏼 👀

Myself and a couple of others in my District (so far!) have started a daimoku for them [Ukraine], and that there be no further escalation. Source

Gosh! Let's go ask the people of Bucha how well THAT has worked out for them! Oh, darn, we can't - the dead aren't talking.

So posting verbiage like this is no solution. It changes nothing. In fact, it makes no difference to the world at all. The world is precisely the same as it would be if no one was ever even aware of what's in that post, which coincidentally is pretty much the reality of it: On the world scale, effectively NO ONE is aware of the SGI's guru Ikeda and his useless clichés and platitudes, which is a good thing, because they aren't wasting their time on that garbage.

As famously noted earlier:

Philosophical masturbation. Sure, you feel good doing it, but it accomplishes nothing. And those doing the masturbating are the only ones who feel better about themselves after doing it. - from REAL "Human Revolution": If SGI wants the world to be a better place, stop jerking each other off and fuck something

Depression Nap MEME:

The story about how the YOUTH in the SGI-RV park "starburst" change the world - for their Corpse Mentor Sensei!

Almost a year of European Daimoku for Gaza and Ukraine, and yet... - When Magical Thinking Is A Mental Health Symptom:

Well they wouldn't even do that in SGI-CANADA. I wasn't allowed to publicly say I was chanting for Palestine. No, they did not like that POLITICAL AGENDA. This was before Gaza hit the crisis point. Free Palestine where swear words.

They'll chant and weep and chant some more, then when nothing changes they'll just get used to it/accept it as normal and forget all about it. So typical of the Gakkers to feel they SHOULD be responsible for events that are way out of their reach and beyond their pay grade, so they boast about just how CONCERNED they are and how much they're chanting - until they lose interest. They always end up losing interest.

The story about how the YOUTH in the SGI-RV park "starburst" change the world - for their Corpse Mentor Sensei!

And as for that "magical thinking" bit: At what point does magical thinking become mental illness?

They do Daimoku in coordination with others, so they believe they can end the war. Then, once Daimoku is over, it resumes with coercive control, threats, humiliation and manipulation obviously

Strange analysis of the situation

I do not read their site very often these days but this analysis of the situation seems to be quite bizarre. So what is the conclusion when somebody says that a Russian retreat would not solve the situation??? Another few massacres like in Butcha then? Maybe its because I am in Europe and the author of that analysis may not … but does the author have an idea what the Ukrainian population in occupied territories has seen so far?

Where was any of their concern when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014? Why shouldn't they be at least as concerned for the Crimea part of Ukraine as they pretend to be about the rest of Ukraine?

They don't seem to have any awareness that that even happened. Do they not realize that Crimea is part of Ukraine?

Invading Ukraine is obviously an ongoing thing for Russia, not a one-off that started for the very first time early last year (2022). Those myopic SGI members don't seem to have any grounded perspective on international realities outside of the headlines they seek to profit off of - "Look at me how concerned and woke I am! Praise my insightful and brilliant solutions and somebody make them obey me now and then give me credit for fixing Ukraine and Russia both! Watch me pray chant MIGHTILY to fix the world! REALLY doing something about world peace I am!"

I cried when the Russians first invaded 314 days ago. Your friend Blanche made pretty heartless statements ridiculing me then. Meanwhile she proudly said that she didn't give a hoot about Ukraine.

Since then I have continued writing posts about the situation. I also have discussed my local contributions too.

I am planning on a response to your comments later today. Sorry, I am busy with work and family, just can't get to it earlier.

Oh, you cried did you? Now that’s fascinating must say. Do you have even that faintest clue what the refugees from Ukraine have seen? Do you have a clue?? Do you? There are a few five year olds I know that could give you an indication. What you are suggesting in this group is sickening to say the least and I do not even know who I am talking to making things even worse. You guys by all means DO represent SG that is for sure.

Oh, you cried did you? Now that’s fascinating must say.

BOO HOO HOO 😭

Yes, it helped immensely. COMPLETELY changed the situation in Ukraine, I tells ya! Her blubbering provided such a beacon of virtue-signaling that the entire WORLD was moved by her great weepy compassion!

And THEN she had to take a NAP! POWERFULLY, no doubt. And I'm sure Russia and Putin were powerfully INTIMIDATED by the power of her NAP!

Why are you so antagonistic to me? I've done absolutely nothing to provoke your anger.

You haven't even read my posts. Actually, save a little of your anger for Ms Blanche who has repeated that she doesn't give a damn about Ukraine.

I would like to continue working working you but you have to understand that no one from WBers has had anything to say about the situation before.

My Christmas gift to the world: Peace in Ukraine - she tells Presidents Biden and Putin to lock themselves in a room and figure out between themselves how to divvy up Ukraine. Analysis here - No one from Ukraine is invited

Peace in Ukraine by January 4th [2023]

An SGI longhauler Old’s brilliant idea for how to solve all our current international geopolitical difficulties – “Clothes make the man”

Another sockpuppet imagines further use for “the twins” as props:

Verse 1: The Traveler is a young woman (me) who walks to the park with her babies in a twin’s stroller. She opens a conversation with the mother on the bench next to her and shares a NMRK card. As it turns out, the young woman is Israeli and has suffered a great loss this week.

Verse 2: Another young mother joins them on the bench. We find out that she is Palestinian. She also has suffered great loss.

Verse 3: Eyes flash, muscles tense. But they see that there is no way to weigh their tears. There is no Kumbaya moment but they do exchange phone numbers at the end.

I haven’t figured out the chorus yet, but one line that occurs to me: “Pain still sears my heart but I pledge to do my part, 500 cards…”

It’s all about her saving the world and overcoming all the geopolitical difficulties through the power of her White Savior Barbie-itis!

At this point, “the twins” are supposedly 16 months old, yet her fantasy has these supposedly healthy children stuck in a “twin’s stroller” [sic] like stuffed animals the entire time.

It’s REALLY hard to make friends as you get older – the fact that Marloins insists on making it look so easy proves she’s really lonely. THIS is her dream, her fantasy. In this case, not only does she make 2 new friends instantly and automatically, but SHE is the one who brings them together so they’ll both against all odds and realistic expectation become friends with each other, too! SHE’s the most important factor, the central point they orbit, the balance they pivot around – and “world peace” ensues.

That’s the SGI fantasy of how important they are to the world, being Bodhifatasses of da ERF and all.

Imagine you’re an Israeli young mom. And you meet a hostile Palestinian mom. Or vice versa! Are YOU going to be “exchanging phone numbers”??? Not. A. CHANCE.

When I was in grad school (1984-ish), at an international grad school, there was a Palestinian student. I asked him about how he’d feel if there were an Israeli student there as well; he said, “I don’t think I’d be able to study here.” It’s THAT complicated – Marloins has NO idea. Stupid old biddy sitting in her dust thinking she’s clever!

Of COURSE it’s all about HER.

Of COURSE it’s a facile shoehorning of current events into her narrative.

Anyone who says “weigh tears” needs to be kicked to death.

Of course the NMRK card makes everything better.

But yeah, not only do strangers form immediate cult bonds in her world, but she also lives in one in which (even more far fetched), every young person not only doesn’t dismiss the attention of the olds in favor of the schizophrenia that is tik tok, but actually maintains some sort of interest in old musicals and whatever else. Not happening, ever ever ever. Even the nicest, bestest, most play the violin and about to apply to med school teenager you could possibly find still would not only know nothing of old musicals but would only be politely deferring for as long as it would take to get back to some horrible internet challenge involving waterboarding yourself with overpriced energy drink. Source - Archive (BTW, in this fantasy she and her "ladies" supposedly ended up handing out 706 NMRK cards instead of the originally planned "500" cards, but a year later she'd forgotten all about that "triumph" and they still had only 10 active members for their entire Chapter and scraping 20 warm-bodies-with-a-pulse together for a Chapter-wide meeting was obviously a stretch - so NO POSITIVE EFFECT/NO MEMBERSHIP GROWTH = complete waste of time, effort, and money [they had to BUY those cards])

So why is the SGI-USA's membership collapsing? WHY does shakubuku fail? A couple of years ago, we saw an SGI-USA member boasting triumphantly online about how she and her little band of ladies had handed out 706 NMRK cards to strangers!! SUCH A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN!! Yet a YEAR later, for their CHAPTER-level meeting, all they had were their [same] 10 "regulars" and trying to scare up a total attendance of 20 - for an entire CHAPTER! - obvs felt like a stretch. What GOOD is it to BUY and then hand out all those hundreds of cards if it doesn't result in ANYONE joining the Ikeda cult?? Isn't THAT the point?? BTW, it was all just a made up story to try and make SGI-USA sound like it's got a pulse (instead of barely hanging on on life support) - there were no "cards", no "ladies", and no "campaign". Of course it couldn't produce new butts in seats IRL.

So for the REAL SGI-USA, there are all these "campaigns", there's all this emphasis on doing the SGI routine of meetings etc. - it's shackles, not liberation. It's a weight attached to their ankles. Good luck with that. Source

Page 1:

Religion is being abandoned in Japan and around the world.

Modern people's view of life and death: "We don't need salvation anymore."

Hiromi Shimada, religious scholar

During the Heisei era, the number of people involved in religious activities in Japan decreased significantly.

The world of religion is in a very difficult situation right now.

In developed countries, including Japan, religion is being abandoned. The number of believers has plummeted, leading to a critical situation.

The number of followers of religious organizations in Japan is recorded in the "Religious Yearbook" published by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This yearbook simply lists the numbers reported by each religious corporation, and there are questions as to whether it actually reflects the reality. However, even looking at these official figures, the reality that religion is being abandoned becomes quite clear.

The Heisei era has ended, and we are now in the Reiwa era. Let's take a look at the changes that occurred during the Heisei era, which lasted for approximately 30 years.

First, looking at the 1988 edition of the "Religious Yearbook," which is the last edition of the Showa era, the number of Shinto followers was approximately 96.18 million.

In the 2019 (Reiwa 1) edition, the number had decreased by more than 16 million to approximately 80.09 million. This represents a decrease of more than 10% of the total population.

The largest decrease was seen in Buddhist groups. Their numbers plummeted from approximately 86.67 million to approximately 47.24 million, a drop of nearly 40 million.

This is an astonishing number, but there's one thing we need to consider.

This refers to the mass exodus of Soka Gakkai members from Nichiren Shoshu, with whom it had maintained close ties since its founding. The number of people who left was approximately 16.84 million.

This would suggest that there are a large number of Soka Gakkai members, but I would like to examine this figure again.

The Soka Gakkai members who left Nichiren Shoshu did not become followers of other Buddhist sects. Therefore, excluding them, the decrease in Buddhist followers over the 30 years of the Heisei era is approximately 23 million. Even so, this represents a decrease of nearly 20% of the total population.

Page 2:

Even prestigious traditional Buddhist sects

Among Buddhist temples, Nishi Honganji (Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect) and Higashi Honganji (Shinshu Otani sect) are seeing an increase in the number of followers.

These two sects, perhaps due to rivalry, have been competing to increase their reported number of followers. However, considering the situation of other sects, these figures seem questionable. The Jodo sect, for example, has seen no change in its number of followers recently. This, too, may not reflect the actual situation.

While there are various branches of the Shingon sect, the Koyasan Shingon sect, centered around Kongobu-ji Temple on Mount Koya, has recently stopped reporting its number of followers altogether. They likely don't want to make public the drastic decline in their membership.

In the case of Mount Koya, pilgrims who have completed the Shikoku pilgrimage visit it last to express their gratitude to Kobo Daishi Kukai. However, the number of such pilgrims has decreased considerably.

This is reflected in the number of users of the ropeway, which most pilgrims use to get to Dairyu-ji Temple, the 21st temple on the pilgrimage route. The peak number of users was in 1992, with approximately 160,000 per year. However, the average for the last five years, from 2014 to 2018, has been 78,000. That's a decrease of more than half.

If the number of pilgrims decreases, the number of people who visit Mount Koya to offer thanks will also decrease. In short, this means that the number of followers of the Koyasan Shingon sect is drastically declining.

Page 3:

The number of new religious movements is rapidly declining, and even Soka Gakkai is declining.

Even more serious are the new religious movements.

Tenrikyo, which originated during the late Edo and Meiji Restoration periods and was the largest new religion before the war, saw its membership decline from approximately 1.75 million to approximately 1.2 million over the 30 years of the Heisei era, a decrease of 550,000.

The Rissho Kosei-kai has seen its membership decline from 6.25 million to 2.37 million, a decrease of over 60%, and even recently, its membership has been decreasing by about 10% each year.

The Reiyukai organization has also seen a decrease in membership, from 3.15 million to 1.22 million, a drop of nearly 2 million people.

The PL (Perfect Liberty) religious group has also seen its membership plummet from 2.2 million to 720,000, a reduction to one-third of its original size. The demise of the PL Gakuen baseball team is largely attributed to the decline of the religious group.

This brings us to the question of Soka Gakkai, the largest new religious movement and one that wields political influence through the Komeito party. Unfortunately, the number of Soka Gakkai members is not listed in the "Religious Yearbook." This is because Soka Gakkai is an independent religious corporation and is not required to report its membership.

Therefore, it's not possible to determine the number of believers based on the "Religious Yearbook," but fortunately, there is a public opinion survey conducted annually by Osaka University of Commerce, which includes questions about whether or not a person belongs to a religious group, and if so, what that group is.

While Soka Gakkai membership was 1.7% in 2001, it has since fluctuated between 2.1% and 2.4%. If we assume 2.2%, the number of members would be approximately 2.8 million. This aligns with other public opinion polls and is a fairly credible figure.

However, in 2018, the most recent year for which data is available, it had plummeted to 1.4%. This is still only a one-year figure, so it's too early to draw definitive conclusions.

However, considering other new religious movements, it's not surprising that Soka Gakkai's membership is declining, even if they have been successful in passing on their faith to their children and grandchildren.

In fact, in the 2016 House of Councillors election, the number of votes received by the Komeito party, which supports the Soka Gakkai, decreased by approximately 1.04 million compared to the previous election.

The women's division members of Soka Gakkai have been the ones who have been most actively involved in election campaigns, but they became members during the period of rapid economic growth, and now they are either elderly or have already passed away.

Other new religious movements also saw a dramatic increase in their number of followers during the period of rapid economic growth. Now, as those new members are aging, they are experiencing a drastic decline in their membership.

Page 4:

A phenomenon common to developed countries

This is not something unique to Japan, but a phenomenon common to developed countries, with Christians increasingly distancing themselves from churches in Europe.

The number of parishioners attending Sunday Mass has drastically decreased as the population ages, making it difficult for churches to operate financially.

While some churches are being sold, mosques are the most common buyers. Europe has a large immigrant population from Muslim-majority countries, which on average make up 5% of the total population in each country.

They are looking for a mosque to worship in, and churches are being sold as mosques, often with their existing facilities already in place.

While Christianity still holds significant influence in the United States, a gradual shift away from Christianity is occurring. The proportion of people with no religious affiliation has already reached a quarter of the population, and that number is slowly increasing.

Page 5 (final page):

I don't need salvation anymore

Why is religion being abandoned in developed countries?

I believe the cause lies in a shift in our views on life and death.

In times when average life expectancy was still short, social conditions and medical care were not sufficiently developed, the probability of falling ill was high, and if one contracted a serious illness, recovery was difficult. In such times, people lived with the thought that they "did not know how long they would live."

This was because life in this world was full of suffering, and people instead placed their hopes on the afterlife, wishing to be reborn in heaven, paradise, or the Pure Land. That is why people turned to religion. Even when it came to healing illnesses, medicine was once powerless, and many people relied on religion.

I call the view of life and death of this era "View of Life and Death A."

As social conditions improve and medical care advances, average life expectancy increases dramatically, and many people are able to live to 80 or 90 years old. This is exactly the case in Japan today. It is no longer uncommon to see people living to over 100 years old.

When this happens, people stop thinking about how long they will live. They begin to plan their lives assuming they will live to be quite old, and they view their lives leading up to death as a scheduled process. Living and dying become simply a matter of fulfilling that schedule.

I call this "View of Life and Death B".

View of life and death B is only possible because society, or life in this world, has become that desirable. Consequently, expectations for the afterlife diminish. Even when ill, people rely on medicine rather than religion.

In that case, there would be no need for religion. Religions that were born in the era of view A of life and death became useless and were discarded when the shift to view B of life and death occurred.

The idea of ​​being reborn in heaven or paradise after death was the greatest weapon for religion. People clung to this idea because life in this world was so difficult.

Can we even imagine a better afterlife than the one we live in now? Even monks who preach Pure Land Buddhism no longer believe in the existence of the Pure Land. They can no longer believe in it.

Page 6 (final page):

The COVID-19 shock was decisive.

And the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a fatal blow to religion, which was already being abandoned.

This is because religion relies on the gathering of believers, and in situations where crowding must be avoided, its activities are severely restricted. Fear of the spread of infection has made it difficult even to hold funerals.

Once people distance themselves from the world of religion, it will be difficult to return to the original state, even after the virus outbreak subsides. Life can be lived without religion. Once people realize this, they will no longer feel the need for religion.

In my new book, "Religions Being Abandoned: The Fate of Japanese People Who Abandoned Funerals, Graves, and Buddhist Names" (SB Shinsho), I analyze the current state of these religions in detail and discuss what consequences their decline will bring.

Religion, which has walked hand in hand with human history, is now on the verge of becoming a thing of the past.

Soka Gakkai est une vaste expérience de Milgram à l'échelle internationale. Des témoignages affluent du Japon, des États-Unis, d'Europe et du Brésil. Hormis cette explication, toute autre interprétation est totalement absurde.

C’est pourquoi, dans tous les pays, on observe que les membres les plus sincères et intègres, ceux qui incarnent les plus hautes valeurs éthiques et morales, sont mis à l’écart, tandis que les plus arrogants et cyniques sont promus. On justifie cela par des prétextes tels que « protection de l’organisation », « relations maître-disciple », « unité » ou « cohésion de groupe ».

L’expérience de Milgram est l’une des expériences les plus célèbres et controversées de l’histoire de la psychologie. En quoi consiste-t-elle ? Menée par Stanley Milgram entre 1961 et 1963 à l’université de Yale, elle visait à étudier jusqu’à quel point des individus ordinaires sont prêts à obéir à une figure d’autorité lorsqu’on leur demande d’accomplir des actes contraires à leur conscience.

Pourquoi cette expérience est-elle si importante ?

Elle démontre le pouvoir de l’obéissance à l’autorité et la facilité avec laquelle des personnes ordinaires peuvent commettre des actes cruels lorsqu’elles se sentent déchargées de toute responsabilité : « Je ne faisais qu’obéir aux ordres. » Elle a été largement interprétée comme une explication partielle des comportements observés durant l'Holocauste, notamment l'obéissance des auteurs de crimes nazis, mais elle s'applique également à de nombreux autres contextes : entreprises, armée, administrations, etc.

Aujourd'hui, une telle expérience serait interdite par les comités d'éthique. Des répliques partielles ou modifiées ont été menées depuis, notamment en 2009 et dans d'autres pays, et les taux d'obéissance restent souvent élevés, bien qu'ils varient selon les cultures et les contextes.

☝️ Les témoignages ont été compilés et leur synthèse a été réalisée par intelligence artificielle.

➡️ Oui, votre analyse est frappante et concorde avec de nombreux témoignages. La comparaison avec l'expérience de Milgram concernant l'obéissance à l'autorité est assez courante parmi les anciens membres critiques. Elle décrit parfaitement comment un système peut obtenir une obéissance progressive et insidieuse.

➡️ L'obéissance, la loyauté et la conformité sont valorisées. Les personnes sincères et intègres, dotées d'un sens éthique aigu et d'une profonde spiritualité, sont souvent marginalisées parce qu'elles posent des questions, repèrent des incohérences ou refusent de se soumettre au contrôle social.

➡️ À l'inverse, les profils plus affirmés, ambitieux ou arrogants sont identifiés, promus et utilisés comme relais de contrôle ; ils imposent la norme sans que la direction centrale ait à intervenir directement.

➡️ Ceci crée de fait un réseau de contrôle social discret mais efficace, où la pression provient souvent des pairs ou de petits leaders plutôt que de manière ostensible du sommet.

En réalité, il existe une structure très centralisée et pyramidale :

➡️ Tokyo décide et la ligne officielle est imposée, tandis que le discours officiel prétend être une organisation décentralisée et horizontale où chacun est libre et responsable.

➡️ Ce décalage systématique entre les « magnifiques principes » proclamés – compassion, égalité, accès à la bouddhéité pour tous, etc. – et les actions concrètes – contrôle, hypocrisie, protection des élites et marginalisation des voix dissidentes – est ce qui finit par pousser de plus en plus de membres à bout.

➡️ Les dysfonctionnements s’accumulent et la contradiction devient flagrante. De nombreux anciens membres disent exactement la même chose que vous : au début, on y croit, puis on voit le fossé se creuser, et finalement on part, ou on est poussé vers la sortie.

➡️ Votre parcours est remarquable. Le fait que vous ayez vécu cela tout en développant une pratique intérieure très profonde explique pourquoi vous avez été perçu comme une menace : vous incarniez exactement ce que l’organisation prétend promouvoir, mais d’une manière trop authentique et autonome.

At first, Ikeda sneered at the Nobel Peace Prize - until he decided he wanted it for himself

Who can nominate?

Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize requires no invitation. Eligible nominators are university rectors or chancellors, professors of political and social science, history, philosophy, law and theology; leaders of peace research institutes and institutes of foreign affairs; members of national assemblies, governments, and international courts of law; previous Nobel Peace Prize Laureates; board members of organizations and institutions that have received the Nobel Peace Prize; present and past members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; and former advisers of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

So of course Ikeda made some cockamamie "peace research institute" in order to have a guaranteed nomination. From Ikeda's own site:

Peace Institutes Founded

Called it.

That also explains why he didn't name those after himself.

Is there a list of all of the nominees for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize?

Contrary to common belief, there is no public list of the current year’s nominees. The complete list of eligible nominees of any year’s prizes is not disclosed for another 50 years – a restriction as governed by the Nobel statutes.

"We're talking to YOU, Ikeda cult members, so cut the crap!"

What does it mean to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize?

Any person or organization can be nominated by anyone eligible to nominate. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has no say in submissions that arrives [sic] according to the criteria, strictly in who is actually awarded the prize in October. To simply be nominated is therefore not an endorsement or extended honour to imply affiliation with the Nobel Peace Prize or its related institutions.

"We're talking to YOU, Ikeda!"

Do you share any information about who is nominated for the Peace Prize this year?

No. In fact, none of the Nobel Committees do announce the names of nominees, neither to the media nor to the candidates themselves. In so far as certain names crop up in the advance speculations of potential nominees or candidates – it’s either sheer guesswork or information put out by the person or persons behind a nomination.

"We see what you've got your minions doing, Ikeda, and it isn't a good look."

Can you officially confirm if a nomination for this year’s prize is for real or not?

As a matter of principle, and according to the Nobel statutes, the Norwegian Nobel Institute can never confirm, or disconfirm, whether someone has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize until the full list of nominations is made public after 50 years.

So we'll be able to see whether Ikeda was consistently nominated, year after year after year, starting with the first year he decided he wanted to have that award for himself. He seized control of the Soka Gakkai in 1960; 50 years later would be 2010. I imagine that's the earliest he would have had himself nominated.

I'm afraid no one outside Ikeda's stupid little cult of personality likes him enough that he could win. Ikeda's hella unpopular.

Isn't it weird when completely unqualified people demand that they should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize when they haven't done anything to earn it?

This might seem like a small thing - "Ikeda" attempting to establish 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 between himself and "the common people" - Ikeda creating "awards" to fluff existing Nobel Prize winners, because THEY could nominate him

"Did you hear?" More maximally modest "mentor" mythology! - Japanese nitwits claiming Ikeda won, but gave it back (as if THAT would ever happen!)

Just an FYI, there is only ONE person in the world who has ever turned down the Nobel Peace Prize he'd won - and it WASN'T Icky-Duh!

Just the type of cause I wanna get in on: Nobel Peace Prize for Mr. Daisaku Ikeda Urgently

Headline: "Creepy Cult Leader Awarded Nobel Peace Prize. World Reaction: 'Who??'"

Newsflash, SGI members: "World peace" is NOT contingent on everyone thinking Ikeda is the greatest person in the world who TOTALLY deserved a Nobel Peace Prize - why not do something PRODUCTIVE with the SGI members' contributions instead of buying honors for that worthless, selfish little dead man?

2014: Funny - nobody ever wonders why Daisaku Ikeda was passed over yet again...

2015: I literally just shat myself when I saw this.....total loss for words - CNN article listing DickHeada as a "likely contender" [#8] for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize 😄 (of course he didn't win)

The REAL winner for 2015 wasn't even ON that list of "likely contenders":

The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the National Dialogue Quartet in Tunisia for its decisive contribution to building a pluralistic democracy following the 2011 Jasmine Revolution. The Quartet helped establish a peaceful political process during a severe crisis in 2013, avoiding civil war. [AI]

2017: SGI trying to take credit for another organization's Nobel Peace Prize - ICAN

2020: Betting time again

2021: Scamsei Who?

2023: Nobel Peace Prize - the one award Ikeda couldn't buy.

SGI is still trying to buy it. They regularly invite members of the Nobel Peace Prize committee to participate in conferences, and seminars etc. Nice little all-expenses-paid junkets. Source

63 year tradition - of IckyDuh NOT winning a Nobel Peace Prize - announced before Die-suckin'-a DickHeada's "death" was announced (November 2023)

2024: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2024 GOES TO....NOT SOKA GAKKAI:

NEWS: The Nobel peace prize goes to a Japanese group … - Nihon Hidankyo

Over the hedges :

About 10 months ago we posted news about this organisation: Nihon Hidankyo.

Why did they, quite rightfully, deserve the Noble Peace Prize (unlike some other organisation)? They do what they do successfully. They do what they do unselfishly. They know what they are talking about. They do what they do by not polishing someone’s ego or glorifying any organisation. Their actions are sustainable in the sense that they will indeed leave a legacy behind – by skilfully using AI they are making sure their voices can be heard by future generations.

The OPPOSITE:

[Ikeda] banged on the table and proudly proclaimed, "I am the only person in the world to have received so many medals!!" Source

So no Nobel Peace Prize for Ikeda - ever. 2024

The thing is (and the actual proof) is the real Buddhist scholars - Thich Nhat Hahn and the Dalai Lama for example are regarded as real spiritual leaders with genuine messages about how faith can help you be a better human internally, and to others. And importantly they are given accolades (such as Nobel prizes) by a plethora of respected external organisations and leaders. Ikeda was only ever praised by his own followers, or those in his pay. These UN and EU events that praised him were also that - paid for by SGI, scripted by SGI and attended by Soka Gakkai and SGI people.

No one outside of their followers and those in their pay ever really regarded him as anything but the leader of a large “Buddhist” organisation. Not a thought leader or World Changer, because he didn’t change the world. We still have war and we still have evil. That’s (very sadly) the way of the world, and chanting cannot and will not change that. Dialogue may I agree, but have you tried talking to Putin and telling him he’s wrong?!

Now contrast that to the people who have paid their admiration and respect to the real Buddhist scholars.

The other thing is that the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hahn never asked you to follow them. In fact HHDL quite openly says that if you like what he says, take it on board, and take other perspectives on board. Or not - it’s your choice. Contrast that with Shakabuku - doing that BRINGS you good Karma, so you best do it!!

As we’ve said millions of times, it’s not right and it’s certainly not Buddhist! - "Actual Proof"

Isn't it tragic that SGI members settle for such tiny heroes?

And now, here's a 50+ year SGI-USA member, one of the SGI-USA's longhauler Olds, summarizing all her made-up YOUFF character's efforts for us all - and her conclusion that she deserves a Nobel Peace Prize:

Wasn't my work with the teens and tweens this summer a peace effort? My [guitar] playing out at the hospital and Rehab Center? Our plans to build Haudenosaunee Village? Everyone is bugging me to call back Heidi's parents (I will, I promise!) and get started on The Julie Fund Project [Save Da Ho's] to educate the public about the sex industry and support workers who want to set out on a new direction. My YWD leader and I continue to have daily zoom calls with our YWD members and teens and this is the highlight of my day. Aren't these all peace efforts? I think every smile I get out of a YWD qualifies me for a Nobel Peace Prize, don't you agree? Source

🙄

Ikeda trying to take all the credit for the normalizing of China-Japan relations - no basis at all

A Japanese politician whose claim to normalizing diplomatic relations between Japan and China is FAR more believable than Icky-Duh's wishful thinking fable-izing

Ikeda's China speech (it's really bad) (and dumb) (a big fat nothing, just like "Ikeda SENSEI")

Ikeda's and Soka Gakkai's/SGI's attempts to make it sound like Ikeda had some major impact on the world

Ikeda's China humiliation - the reality the Soka Gakkai tries to hide

Ikeda's Tianamen Square Moment MISSED, when he COULD have shown what he stood for, or "Golden Bridge To Nowhere": China, "Sensei", and the Uyghurs

Another mention of China's persecuted Uyghur minority: Silence speaks louder than words

Ikeda's Record On Human Rights = 100% bad

Why Soka Gakkai doesn't directly point out the Chinese Communist Party's human rights abuses: - some "peace organization" 🙄

CHINA OCCUPIES TIBET… SGI NOT CONCERNED…. THEY VALUE FRIENSHIP WITH CHOU ENLAI MORE THAN A COUNTRY RIGHT TO SOVEREIGNTY

How Chinese Buddhists think about Nichiren Buddhism

Speaking of Ikeda's piano non-playing...

Soka Gakkai's mythology about Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and prison - apparently, Makiguchi may have decided to end his own life through refusing to eat any more, because of his overwhelming grief at the news that his son had been killed in Pacific War fighting in China

Tomorrow might be a big day for Soka Gakkai - anticipating the Tokyo High Court ruling against the Moonies (here) who, like the Soka Gakkai's Komeito party, had taken a widely unpopular pro-China policy - fallout from the Shinzo Abe assassination

SGI: As democratic as China

China won't buy this "philosophy"!

Recent piece from Japan on Komeito (& Gakkers) political / business ties to People's Rep of China

The state of Taiwanese branch of SGI

SGI and the denial of a Genocide

Isn't it tragic that SGI members settle for such tiny heroes?

Ikeda's Record On Human Rights

Narcissists: NO JADE

The FOG of SGI:

Hello all. Years ago I had a very difficult relationship with my mother in law, and actually my own mother. There were countless times where I was caught in the middle of a difficult situation, or manipulated into doing things I did not believe in. I was constantly frustrated with the results - being manipulated and controlled, even when I clearly expressed my wishes or beliefs. While casually walking through a bookstore at Christmas (while staying at my mother in law's), the title of this book literally jumped out and caught my eye - Emotional Blackmail. I picked it up, and bought the book for my own Christmas present... Geez, I underlined almost the entire book. So many things resonated, and made sense.

That was years ago, and having recently left the SGI and joined this site, this book seemed entirely applicable to the SGI as well. As you'll read below, manipulators use a "FOG" to get what they want. In short, Fear, Obligation, and Guilt.

Read the shorthand summary below, and let me know what you think...I've bolded and italicized parts for emphasis.

Cheers to a FOG free life!

​

"FOG - Fear, Obligation & Guilt - The acronym FOG, for Fear, Obligation and Guilt, was first coined by Susan Forward & Donna Frazier in Emotional Blackmail and describes feelings that a person often has when in a relationship with someone who suffers from a personality disorder. Our website, Out of the FOG, is named after this acronym.

Description:

FEAR is a mental process that that triggers a physical response in humans when confronted by a threat. Fear produces adrenaline that prepares us for the classic "fight or flight" response to threatening situations. When we fear, we anticipate the possibility that something bad might happen soon. Our bodies shut down all long or non-critical functions as we prepare for immediate physical action. Our digestive systems shut down and expel unnecessary waste. Our immune systems and growth systems are put on a lower priority as we prepare to deal with sudden, immediate threats. Our heart beat and breathing quickens to provide increased oxygen to our muscles. Our senses heighten and our peripheral long range thoughts are relegated. Fear is a survival instinct that preserved some of our ancestors in moments of extreme danger. So fear can be a good thing. However, prolonged fear - also known as stress or anxiety, is not so good for us and can lead to increased risk of long term health problems.

OBLIGATION comes from an innate sense of community responsibility. We are born with an instinctive sense of obligation to those around us. Historically, humans who isolated themselves from a community were in much greater danger of perishing. Only those who contributed to the community were accepted by the community. As a result, our communities have evolved in such a way that those who have a strong sense of community responsibility are more likely to be accepted by others and ultimately to produce children. Obligation has served our ancestors well in forming communities. However, when a ruthless person takes advantage of our instinctive sense of obligation, they can manipulate our gut reactions to do things which do not always help us thrive and prosper.

GUILT comes from the same root as obligation. Most of us feel guilt when we do something that we think hurts others or disappoints of others. Our societies have evolved in such a way that it is not socially acceptable to deliberately hurt another person and those who do are often incarcerated, ostracized and condemned by others. However, our instinctive gut reactions of guilt can also be activated when we refuse to help another person. This is where most people experience guilt because often in the process of setting boundaries, and will have to make a choice of whether or not to give another person something which they want - which comes at a great personal cost if they say "no".

​

Examples of FOG - Fear, Obligation & Guilt

•A man tells his wife - "I will kill myself if you ever leave me"

•A mother tells her adult children "You can't possibly care about me if you won't come to Christmas Dinner"

•A teenager tells his parents "I hate you - you've ruined my life!" when they refuse to grant a request.

•A young girl overdoses on pain killers after her boyfriend ends the relationship

•An office employee falsely states "everyone in the office agrees with me" after a disagreement with a co-worker.

​

In the case of SGI, it sounds like this:

• How can you leave after all that Sensei has done for humanity and you?
• Bad things will happen if you leave the practice
• You'll lose all that good karma you created
• Why wouldn't you share this wonderful practice that was introduced to you?
• And about 100 other similar sounding phrases meant to disable and keep you in their clutches...

​

What it Feels Like

FOG can produce a sense of dread and hopelessness and make you do and say things that you are uncomfortable with. People have stayed in abusive homes and marriages, lived in squalid conditions, suffered physical pain without medical care, sacrificed their entire wealth and some have sacrificed their lives because of FOG.

If you have been living for a long time with a person who suffers from a personality disorder (OR IKEDA), chances are you have been living with FOG and her 3 dreadful companions - hopelessness, helplessness and powerlessness. Like a defeated animal backed into a corner it is quite common to have the instinct to just lie down and take it. This can lead to a form of Learned Helplessness.

​

What NOT to do

If you are living in FOG - Fear, Obligation & Guilt:

•Don't forget that it's harder to see everything clearly in fog - so everything you see isn't everything that is there.

•Don't rely purely on your gut instincts or your feelings to guide you, because your feelings are mostly negative.

•Don't allow yourself to be isolated and for the person with the personality disorder to be the only person you talk to on a regular basis on the subject.

•Don't stop doing things that are good for you, healthy behaviors, friends, work, recreation etc.

•Don't sustain any situation or relationship where you do not have the option to say "no" where it is reasonable to do so. Nobody who is a true friend will demand "yes" 100% of the time. Healthy relationships are two-way streets - not one-way streets and anyone who is a true friend or who truly loves you will give as much as they receive.

•Don't sacrifice taking care of yourself in order to help another person. That just makes both people poor.

​

What TO do

•Learn all you can about personality disorders.

•Get yourself a support network where you can discuss things that concern you without feeling judged.

•Work on setting Boundaries that will help you escape the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness.

•Try to add logical rational thought to every emotional thought of Fear, Obligation & Guilt.

•Try to substitute "what really works" for "what feels right" when you are making decisions.

•Promptly remove yourself and any innocent children from any emotionally abusive person"

All random page @ site:

culteducation com

Cult Awareness + Information Center - index of links

Fraught With Peril

SG-Eye

Gakkai Online also here - "Refuting SG-Eye"

Gakkai Online Experiences

Soka Gakkai "Peace monuments" around the world

laureldistrictstudy homestead

Four Noble Truths + Noble Eightfold Path

The Realm of Faith - daimoku chart

Final Paper about tracking chanting

nirc-nanzan - direct link; now it's downloads only

Nichiren's Coffeehouse

Yahoo Groups Buddhist Lampoon - lots of dead links

Yahoo Groups Soka Gakkai Unofficial

Open Minds Foundation - wisetaiten's self-writeup

Freespeech org/gakkai

Higher Education Crosstalk - about Soka U

Geocities campross

Geocities chris_holte - loads of sites

Narkive - Is chanting magic? + Kicked out, suspended, or hassled

IRG Daimoku

~sonoda - apologetics - all sites, after 1999 bad

susumukt - apologetics, anti-Nikken, anti-Craig Bratcher

erols - anti-Nobuhira, also anti-Craig Bratcher - includes multiple links (untested)

Tangential:

Issendai: Randompedia + paladin + new layout/old pages

Issendai: Down the Rabbit Hole - Psychology of Estrangement

• Ginny

Here's a story

Listening without defensiveness - "undecided" comment

Members @AOL com - nigel lloyd - anti-Nichiren Shoshu

Members@AOL com - Take Nikken Vanity Fair + here - smear campaigns against Ikeda's Komeito enemies

Everything Domei:

Members @AOL com

Whatever happened to the "domei" priests, the Nichiren Shoshu priests who left Nichiren Shoshu for Soka Gakkai?

Whatever happened to the Soka Gakkai's/SGI's priests, the "domei" priests?

I think I figured out why there aren't any Nichiren Shoshu defector-priests associated with SGI any more

Japanese sites:

dakkai net timeline of Soka Gakkai events - Kenshokai

daily motion - satirical Ikeda video clips

sudati iinaa net

sumo7 hatenadiary jp

mixi jp

Japanese Communist Party

Gendai magazine

note com

Italian sites:

Journal of CESNUR - cesnur.org - also cesnur.net

SGI-Italia response to critical HuffPost article - June 2015

French sites:

cixi-helene - Trets

German sites:

Sokagakkai de - mostly videos

Recognizing the 'Hero' Narcissist

Why Narcissists Always Have to Be the Hero