When he wasn't running an elaborate Ponzi scheme, Toronto businessman Robert Mander practised Buddhism and became such an ardent follower of the religion he used investor money to donate $500 a month to a local Buddhist organization.
The Gakkai apologists over at Tricycle Magazine blog would have you believe that Soka made a "classy move" in returning the donations it received from the longtime member and fraud master.
Truth is, SGI ain't no hero. A little more searching (which Tricycle is too disingenuous to do) reveals that SGI was legally obligated to return the money:
The receiver added that Mr. Mander also used some investor money to make donations to the Canadian chapter of Soka Gakkai International, or SGI, a Buddhist charitable organization founded in Japan. He donated a total of $320,500 worth of investors' cash to SGI over nearly four years, according to the report.The receiver has been trying to recover money for investors, mainly by selling Mr. Mander's various assets, and SGI could be ordered to return the donations. The receiver indicated in the report that it is not seeking any relief "at this time" but it does "intend to meet with SGI to attempt to resolve this matter."
Is it a "classy move" to do the right thing before someone gets a court order to make you do it?
As always, the folk at SGI are far more disingenuous than even Tricycle Magazine. Witness: SGI-Canada's honcho says of the scamming Gakker:
Mr. Meers said. "We received these donations in good faith. We would never have accepted them had there been any questions about their origin."(emphasis mine)...Mr. Meers said the only time the organization became concerned was many years ago when a Vancouver woman, Sandy Moore, met Mr. Mander through an SGI event and invested about $20,000 with him. When the money vanished, Ms. Moore complained to SGI, Mr. Meers said. "We immediately asked him to rectify the situation and make good, which he did."
...Mr. Meers said the organization was stunned when revelations about Mr. Mander's business activities surfaced after his death. ...
Stunned? Really? Even though he was sued for bilking investors in 2007?
Greed. Simple greed. Aided and abetted by the false philosophy of "prosperity Buddhism."
4 comments
At least this guy killed himself all Goldman Sachs is going to do is pay $550 Million.Try as you might I can't see how SGI can be made to appear to blame for the crimes committed because they accepted a donation.
The story of Robert Mander is an interesting one. I recommend this profile by the CBC:
We've seen this type of behavior -- using Buddhism to advance a scam -- recently with Dharma Investment Group and Agile Group, which victimized Shambhala International. (I do not recall that Tricycle reported on either of those scammers.)Also interesting is the statement from SGI-Canada's leader:Can't recall, be he relates the story later in the article cited by mroaks. ??? Further...I actually chuckled when I read that. How do you think Soka has raised millions of dollars from U.S. members without providing a shred of financial accountability or transparency? By playing on their Buddhist spirituality, of course! SGI has been soliciting and accepting donations "on faith" since forever.Check out the whole profile:http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story...Clown, I don't think SGI is responsible for the criminal actions of Mander. But honestly, I have a much less generous view of SGI than you do. I think SGI is a good training ground for spiritual scammers, kind of the way that rotten food is a great breeding ground for mold.I don't make the connection between the quotesTony Meers, who runs the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist Centre in Toronto, said he can't recall the story of Mander being influenced by his Buddhist colleagues to honor his debts. Which I can't even understand on it's own because why would some one say "I don't remember anybody telling him to pay his debts" if some one had told him to pay his debts I could see saying that? But anyway, you say then that at another time he recalls it and then quote him saying that members aren't supposed to lend each other money or solicit business. Which of course is true enough though in practice I'm sure it's bent from time to time.My position is that all religions are a bunch of B.S. and people are more likely to be horrible than wonderful. For all of their flaws I wouldn't rate SGI as low as you do. I don't know that SGI is any better breeding ground than anyone else. I think you just think they are more special than I do.If you are looking for traning in how to be a cult leader may I suggest studying The Mass Psychology of Fascism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...
I don't think it's fair to say that SGI deliberately aids and abets the criminal enterprises of its members. As brooke pointed out, and as the newspapers tell us, "affinity fraud" can happen in any religious community. Con men (and con women) prey on the confidence of others, and sadly this is not uncommon.As for Tricycle, I read their comment as if they meant it sarcastically. I did not read it as apologist spin.The point I would like to make is that there are two kinds of members of SGI, and perhaps this holds true for many religious organizations.The first kind of member is motivated by sincerity and is idealistic. He or she believes that practicing Buddhism is a noble or helpful pursuit that will make a positive contribution to the world. They believe that their practice will help them fulfill a mission in life. They are very open to ideas and experiences -- even difficult or painful ones -- that will help them reveal their greatest potential.The second kind of member is motivated by "what's in it for me." They participate in activities and bring new people to meetings as a way to "get fortune." They may speak idealistically, but they have a very clear idea of what they want to achieve -- stardom, wealth, to land a fabulous spouse, etc. They are willing to go through difficulties if they feel it will "pay off" for them in a tangible way.Members of the first kind are trusting and may deliberately turn off their "bullshit detector" because they sincerely want to engage with others and with new experiences.Members of the second kind tend to be schemers. They will work the system, pressure fellow members, create drama, etc. because being a member is a means to an end for them, and the "end" isn't enlightenment (although they may say it is).This dichotomy is not unique to SGI. But inherent in this dichotomy is the dynamic of the con man and the easily conned.