(Photo Taken from: http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/Land_Mine/sgi.gif)
The SGI, Soka Gakkai International, is not a religion, but is an organization in which its members practice the same religion, Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There are members of the SGI in about 190 different countries and territories. The origins of the practice come from a Japanese monk, by the name of Nichiren Daishonin, who read the texts of the Lotus Sutra (The teachings of the Buddha himself, Sidhartha Guatama). The leader, whom is living in Japan, is Daisaku Ikeda.
(Picture taken from: http://sgi-houston.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/daisakuikeda.jpg)
Daisaku Ikeda is "an honorable man that has received over 250 honorary doctorates from universities around the world, (1)." Through the leadership of Mr. Ikeda, the Soka Gakkai was able to spread around the globe(2). "The core philosophy of the SGI can be summed up by the concept of "Human revolution." This is the idea that the self-motivated inner change of a single individual positively affects the larger web of life and results in the rejuvenation of human society, (3)."
However, in Japan, some may see it as a cult. Because of its rapid growth and many slanders in the media, some Japanese people have become weary of the SGI (4, 5). It has become reality that "some people in Japan will not marry a person if they are in the SGI. My friend quit because she wanted to marry and have kids, (6)."
Though there is controversy surrounding the SGI, many in Japan still practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism with the SGI. "I practice because I know that this Buddhism works for me. I know there is a lot of controversy about the SGI here in Japan, but it is libel. Time and time again, the people who circulate the libel end up to be proven Libelists in court, (7)." When asked why they decide to practice this Buddhism, most answered that they felt that this practice, with the SGI, works for them.
(Picture Taken By Rochelle R. at a Children's SGI Meeting in Hirakata City)
What exactly works for them? Who knows? The only way to find out is to ask the lay-practioners themselves, and not only believe what the media tells you.
Footnotes: (Sites to Visit about the SGI)
1. SGI member in Kansai, Hirakata City, Japan
2. http://sgi.org/president.html
3. http://sgi.org/philosophy.html
4. http://buddhism.about.com/od/nichirenbuddhism/a/sokagakkai.htm
5. http://www.sokaissues.info/home/media.html
6. SGI member in Kansai, Katano City, Japan
7. SGI member in Kansai, Kuzuha City, Japan
8. Japanese SGI members at Kansai Gaidai
Dear rrissland,Thank You for your article. Sincerely,David R Watrous SGI USA
ReplyDeleteActually, Soka Gakkai split from Nichiren Buddhism in 1991. Both groups claim to be the heir of Nichiren's buddhism. Soka Gakkai is a relgion, while SGI is an NGO. New Komieto is its Japanese political party (and a part of the ruling coalition).
ReplyDeleteI'd like more specific information about "works for me." I'd also like to read (and see) more about the children's event.
nop visual gonthros
ReplyDeleteYou are Wrong. The Soka Gakkai is not a religion. This organization is composed of lay-practioners with common goals... enlightenment and human revolution (change).
Buddhism is a religion... now everything else example: Nichiren Shōshū' (日蓮正宗) is a branch of Nichiren Buddhism. (and thats from wikipedia!)
as i said we are lay-practitioners ....
in other words at home practitioners. nothing we do is new.
regarding "works for me" well
when we chant it invigorates us. energizes us (almost like endorphins). we feel united.
if i told you that just by practicing, you cold achieve happiness. why not?
it feels like you turn a energy switch on... as simple as that.
NO you are wrong. The SGI-USA and every other SGI branch is registered as a non-profit Religious organization in the countries they are in. SGI is Ikedaism not Nichiren Shoshu. Nichiren Shoshu has an 800 year history and succession of Priests. SGI has picked some off shoot Priest to make phony Gohonzons. SGI has altered the silent praytes to include the SGI Presidents.
DeleteActually the Soka Gakkai became a lay group/organization/religion in 1991 when they were excommunicated from the Nichiren Shoshu group. They did NOT split from Nichiren Buddhism,,,that is the religion they practice.
ReplyDeleteThe LAY organization and Ikeda were excommunicated in 1991. After that they had no Priesthood, so they got some off shoot priest to make phony Gohonzons for them. The changed both the tenets and practice of Nichiren Shoshu.
DeleteThe SGI is a CULT. France and a few other Nations OFFICIALLY call SGI a cult and SGI is on EVERY cult watchdog list. www.NST.org which is the Temples organization is NOT on any cult list. Why? Because NS Temples practice Nichiren ShoShu Buddhism and SGI has perverted the practice and tenets of Nichiren Shoshu. SGI is a pure Oligarchy with over 300 VPs, all Japanese Men and most earning over $300,000 year. The amount of scandals carried out by SGI are too numerous to mention.
ReplyDeletehttps://markrogow.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-definitive-analysis-on-why-sgi-is.html
ReplyDelete