Who I am?, and why you should fear me (if you're a cultie)
I am Rev. Greg Dilley, Shidoshi. As you may already know I am a chapter-level leader is the Soka Gakkai International, a religious organization which champions the teachings of the 13th century Buddhist monk Nichiren. I have practiced in SGI before it was called SGI back when it was NSA. I started chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in 1985.
Interestingly enough I also am Shidoshi (licensed instructor and sixth degree black belt) in the Bujinkan, which translates as Devine Warrior House. The Bujinkan is one of the last remaining schools of martial arts connected with the historical Ninja.
There are direct parallels in my experience in SGI and in the Bujinkan. Because of this duality I am fortunate to have a unique perspective on each. Just as our two eyes are able to judge distance by virtue of slight imperfections and differences between the vision of each, I am able to measure and understand the nuances in both the Bujinkan and SGI.
I follow Soke Massaki Hatsumi and his teachings based on his life experience and his relationships. Soke was one of the very few direct students of Toshitsugu Takamatsu who has been called the last combat Ninja. Takamatsu sensei fought to the death many times around the turn of the century in China, and he is our connection to the real Japanese combat martial arts. Hatsumi Soke has taken the teachings of Takamatsu, in my opinion, light years beyond their original form, as should any direct student of a great teacher. My connection to Hatsumi Soke is both direct (I train yearly in Japan with Soke during a group event) but more intimately my relationship with Soke is through my American teachers who are high-ranking members of the Bujinkan. I train in the Bujinkan in order to train in Ninjutsu.
In the Soka Gakkai International the same relationships exist, with subtle differences. I follow the teachings of Nichiren. I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to my Gohonzon and read the writings of Nichiren. I practice Nichiren Buddhism to the best of my ability. I follow the guidance of Daisaku Ikeda as its translated from his native Japanese. I do this because of his life experience as a Buddhist leader and because of his relationships with his teachers before him. I practice Buddhism in SGI because of the philosophy and the benefits I have directly experienced.
How these two groups relate to each other in my life
In the Bujinkan there are those, or so I have heard, that consider Hatsumi Soke a sort of religious leader and perhaps even think that maybe he has reached some higher level in his life-long experience with Ninpo. Hatsumi is a very mysterious and wonderful teacher. I have experienced some really strange things during my training in Japan. I have had direct experience with him when I rolled out of the way of a wooden sword he cut down at me with from behind during my Godan (5th degree black belt) test. Soke in fact has quoted Nichiren on occasion, though his religious beliefs are varied and eclectic.
Is Soke an enlightened Ninja? Maybe, maybe not - I do not consider it my business to think I know. I follow his teachings, not the man.
I have practiced in NSA/SGI longer than I have trained in the Bujinkan. I have never met Daisaku Ikeda. Leaders with whom I have trusting relationships with have had direct contact with Ikeda Sensei but I have not. Thats ok because I dont follow the man, I follow the teachings. I practice Buddhism. Is Ikeda Sensei enlightened? Its simply none of my business; I dont care. I follow the teachings and not the man. I have heard of those who worship Ikeda and uphold faith in the man. As I have mentioned this also may occur in the Bujinkan, but it would not be fashionable to admit such a thing to anyone else.
Apparently among some or the membership of SGI, it is fashionable, or at least not discouraged to worship Ikeda sensei and proclaim one's faith in both the man and the organization, beyond and above the actual teachings of Nichirens Buddhism. You see, cults can form from the top down when a charismatic leader attracts followers in order to gain power and wealth, and cults can form from the bottom up when cult-like followers turn a sincere leader into a cult figure.
My warning
The Soka Gakkai is the organization that has most widely spread the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin throughout the world and for that SGI should be praised. Daisaku Ikedas efforts in building the SGI is respect-worthy. Ikeda, in my opinion, appears to be a great man, and a great teacher. Why would anyone want to destroy his work?
Im not talking about the enemies of SGI, those who are jealous, Im talking about the parasite in the Lions bowels, CULTIES. You know who you are, you are those members who apparently dont think its tremendous enough to practice the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in the Gakkai. You are the culties who are trying to make Ikeda sensei into something he is not, and does not need to be. You are the members who worship him and try and claim the SGI is a perfect and flawless organization which, by virtue of its teachings, is beyond question in everything it does, including its politics. You are those members who claim Ikeda is more than a man rather a god, an enlightened holy man worthy of unquestioning faith.
STOP IT! STOP IT NOW! Stop destroying the SGI you idiots -you selfish needy and stupid little people who believe in fantasies and fairy tales! You are the same damaged human beings that followed Jim Jones and made your children drink poisoned punch. You are the same people who follow Rev. Moon and an assortment of fake Indian holy men giving up your identity and money. You are no different from the fanatics who dumped Saran gas in the Tokyo subway.
Stop trying to recreate Ikeda as something he is not, and does not need to be. If you need to worship another human being, Nikken Shonin awaits your loyalty, your blind faith and your money. Go to him, and leave us Buddhists alone.
This is my warning to culties in the Soka Gakkai, I will find you and I will stop you. I will do whatever I can to prevent you from discrediting and ruining the SGI that I love.
Now go away before its too late for you.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Comments
Greg;
Colorfully atated...but basically right on the money...
I would ask that you show as much compassion for these "culties" as possible...they're bodhisattvas, too!
In other words, you and I and most progresive SGI leaders need to challenge these ideas though our actions and our examples...we cannot presume to be the judges of other members...
I'm still working on that last part...give me another 50 years or so...
Thanks
David
Thank you David for your comments. I would like to honor your kind suggestions however only an hour ago my ninja minions located and apprehended a confirmed Gakkai cultie.
With the storm coming in there is an especially strong out-going tide tonight on the coast....
Thanks again,
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Righteously said man.
I think this does come down to a culture thing in some ways.
In Japan, because of historic corruption and accomodation with authority, the urgent question is "how can you be sure you are practicing with the same mind/heart/spirit as Nichiren?" The answer in Japan within the Gakkai seems to be "practice within the Gakkai as a disciple of President Ikeda." And in Japan, apparently, one sign that one is doing this is adulation of President Ikeda. Unfortunately, it appears many SGI-USA leaders go to Japan for training, observe this behavior, and bring it back home and pass it on as proper Mentor/Disciple conduct.
Whereas in Japan, losing the Daishonin's spirit is the greatest danger to the Kosen Rufu movement, in America, that greatest danger is making the SGI look like a cult.
There is so much that is wonderful about the Daishonin's Buddhism. The only ones who can slow the progress of Kosen Rufu are those who make it look like something it is not.
Carry on Mystic Warrior.
Michael
Excellent comments. Thank you. The cult issue is an important one. I appreciate your views. Thanks for reading!
RG,S
Rev.
Brilliant - right on the money.
Charles
Of course we must be precise about what we mean by a cult. Because there is another sense of the word "cult."
I can be used to mean "small religious group," which is not necessarily a pejorative term. It's only because of America's religious history that it has come to mean something sinister.
Eddie
Lisa Jones' latest blogs express how what I mean by cult, in this case. I know that the dictionary definition includes practically any religious group.
What really bothers me is the tendency toward revising history "as needed" to "protect" the cult, and the "end justifies the means" attitude.
Add to that the "leader can do no wrong" and it pretty much sums up the behaviors that I believe will in time completely discredit SGI in America and make us all look like culties.
The culties are not going to fool anyone, especially not in the US.
Thanks Eddie,
Rev. Greg
Yeah. I know.
The problem is, if what Lisa says is true, then it won't just discredit SGI, it could discredit Nichiren Buddhism, also. And I find that quite frightening.
There are plenty of Fundamentalist whatevers who would like nothing better than to have a reason to use the force of arms (read the government) to attack us.
I couldn't agree more.
RG,S
Good article! I like the distinction between top-down cult creation, and bottom-up cult development (I'm making a distinction too, between describing one as created and the other as developing).
On thinking about it, it seems more distorted dogma exists that came from the bottom-up model than the other way around....or, I mean to say, when I think about the people who have started world religions, it seems that the distortions which plague those religions today came not from the originators, but from the zealous followers, eager to prove something, massage their own egos, create in their minds some kind of "special" relationship with the diety/prophet, etc. When I look at the popular veiws of Jesus that I see most currently illustrated by the "Christ" movie, the vision of Christ as preternaturally beautiful man is one example that speaks to the need to personify, or even posses the object of devotion. I'm talking about the popular, eroticized personification that you can see in so many icons and paintings on velvet. Its not uncommon at all to meet Christians who nurture a romanticized, emotionally charged relationship with their "Savior".....ok, I'm rambling here...
I think its human nature to need a personal side to the sacred. Maybe enthroning Ikeda fulfills that need, particularly in a religion that stresses the impersonal nature of the law. But Nichiren Daishonin did say Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is parent, teacher and sovereign; thats important to me when I'm in need of spiritual comfort. I agree with the article, reifying Ikeda is not the direction I want to go in. I want to learn from his teaching, but not project him as infallible.
Thanks, good writing. Funny, too! Just don't whack me; I'm trying to SHED the cultistic approach that I took on way back when.
Also, just curious, what are you a Reverend of, Greg?
Cindy
Tremendously lucid and interesting reply Cindy. Yes, I agree with all your points and am glad you read into the meaning of top-down, bottom-up. I understand your "created vs. developed" and it is a shame that religious leaders sometimes aren't "good enough" as they are and instead followers attempt to re-create them in their own desired image.
As for me, I am an ordained minister and licensed instructor in the Bujinkan of Masaaki Hatsumi, thus "Rev." and "Shidoshi".
Thanks for reading...
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Greetings Greg,
I too agree with your points here (oops, did i say i agree with you? Oh well). I think this phenom is occuring all over the United States in all different arenas. Here in Colorado we have two saints. St. John Elway and St. Gov. Owens. While niether man has stated that we should elevate them to this elustrious status, we do this on our own. Perhaps we are trying to live through them or perhaps there are qualities in them that we admire, not sure. But I do know this, and that is when they reveal their human side, we either become apologists (then labeled culties) or we burn them at the stake!(kinda like some of the other people with blogs here). As for me, i like to adopt the attitude that we all grow and learn from each other. As for Ikeda, what i take from him is how we should treat each other.
Now i am curious, does this viewpoint incur the wrath of the 1000 ninjas?
take care,
robert
Dear Robert, thank you for taking the time to reply. Good comments regarding deifying our leaders.
Unfortunately you have mistaken "wrath" with "curse". You have been "cursed" with the curse of 1000 ninjas already, it can't get any worse. Now a "wrath" is something totally different, and something which you have not yet earned, but keep trying.
Thanks again, and write often.
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
P.S. You may have hoped that by inccuring a second curse that the first 1000 ninjas would kill off the second 1000, or they would somehow cancel each other out. Puhleez, this isn't some silly fantasy, curses are serious business.
RG,S,
You made me smile!
Thanks,
robert
Heard it 1,000 times. "It's not 'Sensei,' it's all you other people that misunderstand 'Sensei' that are screwing up the Gakkai!"
Yawn, scratch, isn't there another auditorium for sensei to dedicate to himself today?
Think Dammit, bumpkis. Damn little of it going on here.
And I mean that baby.
P.
Peter, only carry-on baggage is allowed on this flight.
Thanks,
Rev. Greg, your flight attendant
Yea,yea, it's not the Gakkai, it's all my issue. Heard that 2,000 times.Anyone who sees deep-seated problems in the Gakkai has some huge character flaw, I know, I know. Do you have any idea how much people can rationalize their own insecurities under THAT type of "thinking dammit?" How much outright oppression?
Evidently not.
P.
I do hear where you're coming from Peter. If you're looking for a Gakkai apologist to beat on you've looked in the wrong place.
Being a Ninja I can "see behind the shoji screen" into the true nature of Ten Chi Jin, Heaven Earth and Man.
So what is it that you expect, or want? What are you looking for Peter? Do you want everyone to "wake up" and drop SGI like a hot rock? Do you hope we'll all see the evil hidden in the cult and run away screaming?
I saw a "Judge Judy" episode this week with a woman who had been married 6 times and had divorced her current husband, who she was suing, because she found he was "acting different" and looking a pornography. She was already married to number 7. What did she expect? What was she looking for?
I believe she was seeking in her husbands something she could only find in herself. You don't want to hear that, I understand, and yet the frustration continues, unresolved. Disatisfaction with your relationships, frustration towards those who have done you wrong.
How will you get satisfaction Peter? Who will give it to you?
RG,S
"How will you get satisfaction Peter? Who will give it to you?"
In this instance, I'd be satified if you change the name of your blog to something more appropriate. I've been reading. You're not thinking. Not critically anyway.
You're being a bit of a rebel towards some of the more openly "out there" components of the SGI, but your still perpetuating the same second rate reasoning that those people are using. Believe me, they think YOU misunderstand "sensei" as much as you think they do.
So do I want everybody to "get it" about the Gakkai? No not in this intance. Just you.
P.
So what you're saying Peter is that you want ME to change. And if I change, then you'll be "fulfilled"? If the Gakkai changes to fit what you think it should be, then will you come back and be "happy"?
You only had two choices Peter, leave or stay. It doesn't matter how right you think you are about anything, or how much you think I think, or don't think, critically or otherwise.
The question is - what are you going to do now Peter? What's it going to be?
RG,S
Hey, man. You're the one putting his blog up like it should mean something. You're the one using bent logic to support an attachment to SGI. You're the one telling the mind-messed masses to "think dammit" while offering mainstream Gakkaithink.
I didn't say I would be "fulfilled" by you changing the name of your blog to one that actually reflects what happens on it. You asked me what would satisfy me in this instance and I told you. It rankles me to see thought processes like the kind you've offered in this blog called rational thought. I want to see that stopped.
Basically, what you offer is cosmetic solutions to SGI fanatisism. I think you should call the blog something like "Don't let your fanatical eyes gleam too much in front of those who don't 'get it' yet." But that might be a little long.
P.
Peter - have you read my past blog "the true truth"?
Rev. Greg
I just read it, Greg.
A whole lot of not "thinking dammit" going on.
You are only slightly more sophisticated than the people you dub "culties."
If you want to stick with your org. and pretend that its leadership (especially Ikeda) isn't a fundamental part of why it's a cult, that fine. If its fine with you that it has run over people, fine. If you're more comfortable seeing that as those peoples' kharma, rather than holding the Gakkai responsible for the way it treats people(we call that blaming the victim), fine. If you want to pretend that your support for the organziation doesn't translate into the abuse of vulnerable people who are attracted to the promise that the Gakkai uses as its loss leader to lure the rubes, fine.
Again, what I'm objecting to is your poor reasoning being presented under the title "think dammit." You are not doing it. Now, that's fine if you don't want to think dammit. In fact I think its the only way a person can stay involved in the Gakkai. I'm simply asking that if you choose the luxury of not thinking, you don't try to sell it as thought.
P.