….SGI is not a Cult…. Books on SGI Authored by Non-SGI Scholars Testify that SGI is NOT a Cult A TIME TO CHANT: The Soka Gakkai Buddhists in Britain By Bryan Wilson (Reader in Sociology at the University of Oxford) and Karel Dobbelaere (Professor of Sociology and the Sociology of Religion at the Catholic University of Leuven and Professor of Sociological Research at the University of Antwerp) Oxford University Press 1994 Copyright: Bryan Wilson and Karel Dobbelaere, 1994 SEVERAL POINTS OF THE BOOK - (This study) was not undertaken at the invitation of Soka Gakkai, and was neither sponsored nor commissioned by the organization - Today, Soka Gakkai is one of the worlds most rapidly expanding religious movements with members in virtually every country in Europe, the Americas, and Australia, in most of Asia, and in several parts of Africa. Increasingly well publicized, the movement sponsors a variety of cultural and educational causes, is conspicuous in its work for world peace and the preservation of the environment, and has established for itself a high profile in world affairs. The public presence which SGI has attained stands in sharp contrast to what, for Westerners, might be perceived as the obscure and perhaps arcane temple rituals of the priests of Nichiren sects. - In style, worldly involvement, and perhaps general philosophical orientation, the lay Buddhists of SGI are far removed from any sort of monkish image. They are thoroughly engaged in the workaday world, see their Buddhist practice as the best possible support for that engagement, and reject entirely the idea of world-renouncing asceticism. The outgoing style of members, and the movements vigorous program of activities, belies much of what is expected of Buddhists by the man in the street. His stereotype might well be much closer to the projected ideal of priests of Nichiren Shoshu than to lay people of SGI, who represent Buddhism adapted to, and practiced in, the modern world. The decline in belief in an anthropomorphic deity; the sense that traditional religious institutions have become hollow; the emphasis on the private nature of belief and on personal autonomy are all characteristic features of contemporary Western society. Soka Gakkai has found a ready resonance with these changing currents of modern thought. Soka Gakkais appeal to young people in particular makes it a faith well in tune with the times. Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai in America: The Pioneer Spirit By Jane Hurst (Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Gallaudet University) A chapter in THE FACES OF BUDDHISM IN AMERICA Edited by C.S. Prebish and K.K. Tanaka University of California Press 1998 Copyright: University of California 1998 SEVERAL POINTS FROM THE CHAPTER - When Josei Toda rebuilt Soka Gakkai after WW II, he gained the cooperation of the Nichiren Shoshu priests by ceding ritual authority to them in all ceremonial functions. In return, the priesthood began to prosper as never before in its history, due to the pilgrimages to the Dai-Gohonzon encouraged for all lay believers and the financial support of the growing Soka Gakkai movement. In 1991 this cooperation came to an end when High Priest Nikken Shonin excommunicated all Soka Gakkai members. The temples in turn organized Hokkeko, the pre-Soka Gakkai model of lay believers group associated with local temples. - In early 1992, this author (Jane Hurst) was unable to interview any Hokkeko leaders or Nichiren Shoshu priests because of their suspicions of me, though I clearly stated that I was not now nor had I ever been a member of Soka Gakkai. - Nearly four years after the split, Hokkeko members are still quite suspicious of outsiders. When Daisaku Ikeda left the presidency of Soka Gakkai in 1979 and assumed full time responsibility as president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), he decided that he wanted to bring Nichirens message of how world peace can be achieved to the world. He decided to become a global citizen and bring the organization with him. As a result of his efforts, SGI is now an official nongovernmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations. Its activities include education through peace projects and cultural exchange. President Ikeda meets with world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jacques Cjorac, Corazon Aquino and Elie Wiesel. Soka Gakkai International focuses not on gaining specific numbers of new members through shakubuku, but on becoming a force for world peace and attracting members in that fashion. The SGI aims to realize the happiness of individuals and the prosperity of each country by spreading understanding of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282). Through President Ikeda, SGI has become a consistent voice for ending the threat of nuclear arms and for solving international conflicts by nonmilitary means. For example, on the eve of the Gulf War, President Ikeda sent letters to the leaders of the nations involved in the conflict, pleading with them to find a peaceful alternative to war. SGI has also taken part in the United Nations fiftieth birthday by sponsoring conferences and cultural presentations. Soka Gakkai has successfully negotiated the process of maturing as a religious movement. - Despite the crisis created by the split with the priesthood in 1991, the current phase of Soka Gakkais development is one of comfortable middle age. The identity crisis of youth have passed, and skills such as compromise and adaptation to changing times have been developed. This is a creative and dynamic time for the Soka Gakkai as it enters its most productive years for putting faith in Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism into practice by working for peace, culture, and education. As they have long taught, SGI members see this as a personal challenge that has global effects. Hokkeko, in contrast, is still a very young group in America in its current form. It shows all the characteristics of a new movement: a devotion to the leader (the High Priest), intensive defense of the teachings or truth, recruitment of new members, and most important of all, a sense of opposition to Soka Gakkai and all that it represents to Hokkeko members. Its members are small, estimated to be less than a thousand in America, and much of its identity comes from its self-differentiation from Soka Gakkai. In some way these Hokkeko members are protesting against a Soka Gakkai that no longer exists since it has begun to institute more democratic organizational paradigms. Hokkeko will probably continue to exist as a small organization affiliated with the six Nichiren Shoshu temples in America. Unless it takes up a serious shakubuku campaign and develops some economical resources, it will probably not expand. SGIs vision of global cooperation looked idealistic in the sixties; it now looks like a necessity for global survival. This may make them attractive in the next millennium. It is remarkable to see how the Buddhist teachings of a thirteenth-century Japanese prophet have such relevance to the lives of contemporary Americans. The teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, despite his own claim to authority as the one True Buddha for our time, are essentially democratic and nonhierarchical. The stronger ones personal relationship with the Gohonzon through chanting, the more powerful will become ones unity with the Universal Law. In the process, the believers life is transformed. This is the American dream; success in life through individual effort. That thousands of Americans feel they are achieving this dream through Nichiren Buddhism is a testament to the endurance of Nichiren Daishonin teachings. SOKA GAKKAI IN AMERICA: Accommodation and Conversion By Phillip Hamond (Professor of Sociology at The University of California at Santa Barbara) and Dave Machacek (Lecturer of the same University) Oxford University Press 1999 Copyright: Phillip Hamond and Dave Machacek, 1999 FROM A CRITIC - Since the 1960s many Asian religions have spread in America. While many of them have declined, Soka Gakkai International in America (SGI-USA) has been accepted from society and stabilized as a valid organization. Through its movement on culture and education, it has contributed to society. This book analyzed the reasons of its success and came to the following conclusions: In its propagating efforts, SGI-USA respected American culture; The doctrines centering on chanting Daimoku emphasized individuals responsibility toward life and society, and at the same time, aimed at the self-improvement; Members recognized that religious value does not contradict with scientific rationalism; Each individual has to live a positive life in society as a person of religious faith. The book concluded that SGI-USA members will maintain to live a pioneering life in this dramatic age of changing and that SGI-USA will continue to develop as an important religious organization in America. LA SOKA GAKKAI: Un movimento di laici diventa una religione (THE SOKA GAKKAI: A Lay Movement Became a Religion) Author: Karel Dobbelaere Ed: Editrice Elle Di Ci, 1998 The English translation will be published in the year 2000, and Spanish and French translations will follow. According to a commentary - This is a small scholarly study with only a 90 page content, but surprisingly, it became a best seller when published in Italy in the fall 1998. Both the first and second editions (each 6000) were sold out and now the fourth edition is being prepared. The author built a unique Pillar Structure Theory. For example, Catholic built a unique social structure involving hospitals and schools. SGI built Soka University, Min-on (peoples music) organization and Fuji Art Museum. These pillars express the mercy of Buddhism, and through these pillars, SGI contributed extensively to the benefit of society. The author explained that Komeito is the expression of Buddhist Ideal in the realm of politics. The author explained that Soka Gakkai members have learned through their experience that a tie with traditional Nichiren Shoshu priests, who have attachment to money, does not help for world propagation of Buddhism. There may be several reasons why such a scholarly book became a best seller. * The autnor is a world famous scholar of religion and sociology. * Italian Soka Gakkai has so developed that Italian people cannot ignore the movement any more. (Out of 40,000 members in Europe, 20,000 members are Italians.) * Japanese leaders understood and are well accustomed with the spirituality, opinions and custom of Italian members. * Sincere behavior of a SGI member Roberto Baggio, a sports star, is well known and loved by people in Italy. * The religion taught by SGI is practical and useful in daily life. * Italian people are known to be warm, kind and amicable. In other words, they are by nature very religious. Therefore, when they are not satisfied with traditional faith, they searched for a new religion and found SGI. This book includes references of 50 papers and books which were published recently by various scholars. This shows that many scholars in the world have sincere interests in SGI and Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 16:16:30 +0000
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