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 Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:20 pm
I've been trying to find a Buddhist organization on or near my college campus, to no avail.
However, today there was a discussion held at our Multicultural Center called "What is Buddhism?" led by a speaker from Soka Gakkai International.
Now, as I've mentioned, I'm new. I had never heard of this organization before, and when they gave out free copies of an informational DVD and announced they would be having an introductory meeting next Wednesday, I was totally excited.
However, when I went to the internet to learn more about SGI, I started to see some unpleasant allegations. Many people, it seems, see SGI as a cult.
Since I understand that Google isn't always the fairest judge, I ask you, my e-sangha...what do you know about Soka Gakkai International?
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:01 pm
I've not really hung out with them, and all I know boils down to the fact that they appear to be a sort of new school variant on Nichiren Buddhism, with an emphasis on political activism (in Japan they appear tied to a political party, though both groups deny such involvement). There's a lot of the chanting of Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō still going around, looks like. I'd recommend looking into Nichiren and see where they differ.
By the way, if you actually want to hear Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō chanted, I heard it before I knew what it was from - in a song. It's oddly in Xzibit's song Concentrate. xd
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:01 pm
Miza_Radioaktiv I've studied Zen Buddhism for about 4 years now, but I feel as though it's not spiritually fulfilling for me. A classmate from school introduced me to Nichiren (specifically Soka-Gakkai), and I'm somewhat interested in it. Strangely enough, I'm a bit nervous to visit the local SGI center, as anyone would be going to a completely new environment. Would any followers of Nichiren give me some advice on what to expect, or anyone in general who has experience with this sect?
Something I wrote in the Questions and Answers subforum that's almost similar to this.
The only organization near my campus is an SGI one as well. You should read up on some Nichiren Buddhism first, and then look into Soka-Gakkai. As Byaggha said, they believe in the importance of chanting two chapters from the Lotus Sutra and chant the name of the Lotus Sutra "Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō".
I'd also like to learn a bit more about it.
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Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:07 pm
There is a website http://www.sgi-usa.org/ You can go there and it most likely will answer your general questions. I know you'll have those that aren't answered x]. I'm a SGI buddhist, I was born into it.
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