"TABLOID" STORY, #1, FOR BRIAN
Craig Bratcher
BBC WORLD NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
Assignment:
THE CHANTING MILLIONS
October 14th, 1995
NARRATION:
In the year we commemorate the allied victory over Japan and the terrible atrocities it revealed, we are again reminded that
this is a land of puzzling contradictions. As well as ornate temples and pastoral calm, and mysticism, and pacifism, there are
sudden eruptions of extreme violence.
When, this year, poison gas was released into the Tokyo subway, the shocking suspicion emerged that it was done by a
religious cult that claims its roots in Buddhism. It was in the foothills of Japan's sacred Mt. Fuji that the Aum-Shinrikyo sect
that stands accused of a gas-attack trained its followers. It was in Buddhist Teachings and in The Book of Revelation, grossly
perverted and corrupted, the justification was somehow found for mass-murder. That is the charge that faces the charismatic
leader of Aum, Shoko Asahara, when he shortly goes on trial.
The Aum-case raises many concerns that have come up in foreign relation to other cults around the world. But it also poses
questions that are peculiar to Japan. Above all, the Aum case calls into question of law the status and the influence of the vast
number of other religious groups. Believe it or not, in Japan, today, there are roughly 241,000 officially registered religious
organizations. Most of them are very small, but some are big and powerful. But with ten million followers, is by far the
biggest, Soka Gakkai.
SOKA GAKKAI ACTIVITIES
Soka Gakkai is much more than a religious organization. It's a wide spread social and political movement, highly disciplined,
some say dangerous. Head of Soka Gakkai since 1960 is Daisaku Ikeda.
Ikeda is the great cultural and, for his supporters, spiritual leader. Another view says he's a bully with a lust for power.
INTERVIEW WITH IKEDA: I'm a common, serious-minded man. The mass-media ..., with the exception of the BBC,
make up this image of me as a dictator, and so forth. This troubles me.
Common men, however serious, do not find themselves as Mr. Ikeda frequently does, in the company of international elite
that includes the likes of Mrs.Thatcher. He's frequently photographed with royalty, prime ministers and presidents. When
president Mandella came recently to Japan on a state visit, his only private audience was with Mr. Ikeda. Why is a man who
has never held public office found in such company? He has access to great wealth, but is that enough? Since powerful
people seek the company of other powerful people, what does that tell us about Mr. Ikeda?
INTERVIEW WITH POLITICAL COMMENTATER MR. MINORU MORITA: I don't think anyone has more power in
Japan than Ikeda. No one.
FOUNDATION OF IKEDA'S POWER -- TAISEKIJI-TEMPLE OF NICHIREN SHOSHU
This is the foundation of Mr. Ikeda's power. S.G. was the lay- organization founded to support Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, a
700 year-old sect. These followers of a 13th century Japanese monk, are considered heretical by main-stream Buddhist's.
Central to their belief is the power of chanting, that by the invocational recitation of the words "Nam'-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo"
almost anything can be achieved. S. G. took these ancient simple beliefs and marketed them with astounding success. It may
look spiritual, but S.G. is all about practical things. That includes personal wealth and political power. It's in Japan's cities
that
Soka Gakkai gained most of its support. In the post war years, it grew rapidly, and it's thought to have had special appeal for
a defeated and disillusioned generation. The faithful are expected to chant daily, to donate generously to Soka Gakkai funds,
and to recruit new members.
INTERVIEW WITH S.G. MEMBERS IN KAWASAKI CITY, SOUTH OF TOKYO
In the city of Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Soka Gakkai has devoted support from the Umezawa family, who own a small
chain of beauty parlors. Apart from the father of the family, all the others, son, daughters and inlaws are in the business. First
to join Soka Gakkai was Mrs. Umezawa. Not only she converted the rest of the family, but between them, they've
introduced 112 other families to the practice of daily chanting. Now retired Mr. Umezawa sometimes chants for 5 hours a
day. He and his family have no doubt that the growth of their business and other good fortune is entirely due to regular
practice of this ritual. They faithfully pay their dues to Soka Gakkai, and according to Mrs. Umezawa, their loyalty and their
chanting is rewarded.
MRS. YOSHIE UMEZAWA: We were always short of money. Although we worked very hard, things were tough. Now
we travel abroad without any financial difficulty.
It's not only to make money that the Umezawas practice their daily chanting.
MR. TADASHI UMEZAWA: When my wife was pregnant, we talked about an abortion because I didn't want any more
daughters. Soka Gakkai members told me that if I practiced hard, we might have a son. We chanted, and as a result, we had
a son!
No doubt, Soka Gakkai has many satisfied members. But some feel betrayed, sensing that their loyalty, and their money, and
their votes have been exploited to serve the political ambitions of Mr. Ikeda. He founded his own political party in 1964, and
although it's been partially dissolved, suspicions remain, some of them, expressed at this protest meeting of former Soka
Gakkai members.
KEIGO OUCHI (Member of Parliament at a meeting of AVSG - Asociation of Victims of Soka Gakkai): Mr. Ikeda often
says he will take over Japanese politics and become the real leader of the Government.
Although Soka Gakkai has taken steps to sever former links with its political party, it still commands a block vote to use as it
wishes.
INTERVIEW WITH POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, MR. MINORU MORITA:
Soka Gakkai is able to mobilize 6 million votes. These 6 million votes represent more than ten per cent of the electorate. Mr.
Ikeda, as the head of S.G. has a strong influence over the political world.
Of 700 disgrunted former members here (at the meeting), many complain of how Soka Gakkai extracted money from them.
HIROHISA MASUDA (Former S.G. member): In 1982, when my grandfather died and we inherited his property, members
of Soka Gakkai came, repeatedly, and demanded contributions. They wanted 10 million yen (U.S. $100,000). In the end we
gave them 5 million yen.
Of course, Soka Gakkai justifies all of its money raising activities.
INTERVIEW WITH IKEDA: We want to promote a good religion. Religion is a metaphysical concept, but it needs to be
advertised like any good product.
ADVERTISEMENT OF SOKA GAKKAI (S.G.I. PR video-tape): Soka Gakkai has gloriously embarked on its voyage
toward the 70th anniversary of its founding. The Soka family throughout the world will continue to advance cheerfully and
harmoniously in its Kosen-Rufu activities day and night, widening the current of Buddhism among the people throughout the
universe, heralding the era of peace and freedom.
Yes, Soka Gakkai is now international. In the U.K. this is its lavish headquarters used by some 8,000 members. But in the
U.S. and notably in California, Soka Gakkai has greater success, claiming some 150,000 adherents. But it's also been much
criticized and even classified as a dangerous cult.
FRANK ROSS (Former S.G.I. leader): I think by anybody's definition of a cult, if someone's life is completely controlled by
an individual or an organization, that would certainly fit into the category of a cult. When I was in S.G.I., I would have died
for Ikeda. And I know hundreds of people that felt the same way.
AL ALBERGATE (SGI-USA Public relations director): I reject categorically the idea that we are a dangerous cult, because
to me that would imply a pseudo religion that exists mainly to take advantage of people, whether financially or
psychologically, and I know in my 28 years in the organization, we have never done that.
In America too, there are certainly satisfied customers. Among the affluent, who have seaside homes at Malibu, are those
who believe that chanting has brought them health, wealth and happiness, and spread the word among their friends and
neighbours.
NEIL STEVENS (S.G.I. member) (Note: At a discusiion meeting): I'd like to welcome everyone. We're going to chant, what
we call morning evening gongyo...
Neil Stevens is an investment banker. He and his wife, Lynn, hold weekly meetings, where they introduce new comers to the
practice of chanting.
(Scene of members chanting.)
For some newcomers, chanting in a foreign tongue seems odd. (Shot of woman sitting on couch at meeting, rolling her eyes as
she looks on in disbelief, looking as if she wants to bolt out the door any second.) But believers are keen to extol the reward
and the enlightment it brings.
INTERVIEW WITH MR. AND MRS.STEVENS:
LYNN: (Gushing tears) I thank, I thank everyday, the girl that introduced this practice to me, 'cause it changed my life. I have
such a beautiful husband, a beautiful daughter. When I had, lost three little babies....and I had such, uh, oh, I don't know...I
had so much fortune, but yet, that doesn't guarantee that you are going to be happy. And I was able to, ummm, uh tap into
the joy in my life, and change such poison into medicine, and make all my dreams come true, and I really have.
NEIL: (Tears smeared on his face) So then Katy's got me going on this doing the Nam-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo thing, and, uhh, it
really empowered me to create, uhh, pretty much my business dream, the beginning of it, anyway, and, uhh, really helped us
push it through, uhh, when we had, you know, tremendous obstacles.
AL ALBERGATE: The actual practice of Buddhism is very accesible to everybody. Because there's a very simple formula
and a daily practice, plus the idea that you tap so directly into your Buddha nature, your life condition, that you can actually
see results in your daily life.
DIANE HONEYMAN-BLOEDIE (Former S.G.I. member): It turned my life into a living hell, basically. I was miserable!
INTERVIEWER: Why principally?
DIANE: Mostly because of my husband. They manipulated my husband into becoming a totally different person. He was not
the person I fell in love, and married, and wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He became totally obsessed; was never
home. They had him going 24 hours a day. And he was hell to live with.
AL ALBERGATE: If we put pressure on each other, it was only so that we could, duh, move forward and advance as a
religious organization in this country it was not..., primary, our idea was never to take people's money.
DIANE HONEYMAN-BLOEDIE: As I was walking out the building, one of the "Women's Division leaders said, "Did you
make a contribution today?" and I said, "No, I don't have any money to make a contribution. I have 5 dollars in my purse"
(She said), "You should give that $5." (I said,) "It's Tuesday. I don't get paid until Friday. I have to buy milk." She said, "If
you give the $5 today, it'll come back to you in a much bigger way." So I said, "So you're telling me, I shouldn't buy milk for
my 18 month old daughter and I should give the $5 to you?" and she said, "Yeah." and I said, "No."
AL ALBERGATE: Some of our members and leaders, although sincere, were over-zealous. And, basically, about 5 years
ago, we just put an end to most specific targets and just decided that the best way to go was to just help people practice
Buddhism, and as their own personal circumstances improve in society, as they feel appreciation for this Buddhism, then they
will donate.
DIANE HONEYMAN-BLOEDIE: We're their little worker bees. We're collecting all their little money, all their little honey
for them, and we gladly give it over. You know, I just... My feeling was that they just think we're stupid. And if we're
promised that we can get anything we want, that if we can get instant gratification, which is sort of the American way, we're
gonna go for it. So that's how they pass it off. You want a car? Chant! You want a better job? Chant! You want more
money? Chant!
INTERVIEWER (to Al): It occurs to me that one of the attractions, perhaps, of your particular type of Buddhism is that it
does promise practical benefits.
AL ALBERGATE: That's correct. And I think that's very attractive to many people. Maybe more so Americans. We're sort
of, err, an instant microwave kind of culture, and I'm sure that appeals to many, I know it appeals to many people.
INTERVIEWER: Is it somewhat dangerous, though, that if you expect it to work miracles in your life, that if you expect the
Porche tomorrow, that you're going to be disapointed, and that you may think the religion has failed you?
AL ALBERGATE: Yes, that's true. It is a problem if we don't take the time to help people really study the profundity of
Buddhism and to understand it's not about Porches and cars and things like that. These are nice incidentals that might come
your way as a result of a higher life condition and your increased ability to work and perform your daily life. But we have to
teach that, after all, the idea is to become an enlightened human being, with or without a nice car.
FRANK ROSS: People are approached from the standpoint of doing something for their personal lives, and, little by little,
they are told that the only way they can advance their personal lives is to advance the organization. Once you've made that
connection, that advancing the organization is advancing your personal life, then they have total control over you. So,
watching the people who have been abused over time and just fleeced, you know, year in and year out for money, that
certainly is a horrible form of abuse.
INTERVIEWER: But you were one of the abusers?
FRANK ROSS: Yes, I certainly was. But at that time, I didn't realize that it was abuse. I was part of that operation, and we
thought that no matter what people did for the organization, it would be good for them.
If that's the way it is in the United States, how much greater is the money making machine in Japan?
Soka Gakkai means "value creating society" and essentially it peddles another one of those familiar "Samuel Smile's Recipes
For Self-improvent." While other philosophies suggest the ultimate values of "truth" and "goodness," Soka Gakkai contends
that happiness lies also in profit, and it's something the organization itself is very good at.
PROF. HIROHISA KITANO (Professor of law at Nihon University): Nobody knows actually how rich Soka Gakkai is.
Experts estimate Soka Gakkai has more than 1,000 properties throughout Japan with total assets of more than 10,000 billion
yen (125 billion U.S. dollars).
In the wake of the Kobe earthquake, S.G. used its money raising skills to great effect. Special appeals were launched and
Soka Gakkai membership responded with extra donations, on top of those they routinely make. More than a dozen fund
raising drives have supported U.N. relief activities for refugees, and numerous exhibitions have been mounted to promote Mr.
Ikeda's good works.
DAISAKU IKEDA: Religion can be compared to mother earth. We must cultivate the earth in order to bring forth plants and
flowers. The promotion of peace, education, and culture is a fundmental role for religion.
This is the Tokyo Soka Elementary school, part of an integrated system of private schools ranging from kindergarten to
university, founded by Daisaku Ikeda. Today, the children celebrate the Tanabata Festival. These are the wish trees decked
out with wish paper streamers. Each one carrying a child's wishes and dreams. Almost all of the children are from Soka
Gakkai families.
HIDETO IIJIMA (Soka Elementary School, 2nd grade): I am Hideto lijima, a second-year pupil. I want to become a
millionaire so that I can help the poor by giving them my money.
Like the elementary school, the Soka High School is four times over-subscribed. No religion is taught here. But the children
are certainly well versed in the achievements and importance of their school's founder, Mr. Ikeda.
MITSUKO YAKANI (Soka High School student): He has a philosophy based on humanism for the education. He is also a
poet, and he is like, I feel very warm meeting him. He's like, I feel like he's like my father.
DAIGO KURAISUKO (Soka High School student): If you compare, compared to other schools, I found my friends, friends
much brighter, and...
INTERVIEWER: Much brighter? Really?
DAIGO KURAISUKO: Brighter. Yes. And...they know why they're studying. Because they have dream.
Mr. Ikeda's biggest and most powerful dream machine is another one of his creations. Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai's
newspaper, is part of a large publishing empire, and has a daily circulation of 5,500,000. It's virtually compulsory reading for
Soka members, as it carries a regular column by the leader, as well as promoting, in its own words, the movement for peace
and culture. The paper is extremely profitable, making more than 60 million pounds a year. It has its own special view of the
world and is not averse to tidying up the picture to match the Soka version of reality.
From the cradle to the grave, Soka Gakkai cares for its members. In a country of many religions, it's always been the
Buddhists of Japan who have looked after the "here-after." This has worked very much to the financial benefit of Soka
Gakkai. In partnership with the Mitsubishi Bank, a country- wide chain of cemetaries has been constructed, complete with
piped Mozart, and with thousands of plots, all of them sold.
In Japan, it's believed that the spirits of the ancestors care for the living, and so strong emotional bonds are expressed in the
way the living remember and treat the dead. This means there's great pressure to purchase a suitable and expensive memorial,
and to tend it diligently.
This deep sense of duty to the ancestors appears to be useful to Soka Gakkai in its dealings with members and employees.
JIRO OSHIKO (Former S.G. official): I was forced to buy a cemetary plot in Hokkaido (The northern-most island of
Japan). I live in Ohmiya, a suburb of Tokyo. So, there was no need to buy a cemetary plot in a remote place like the island of
Hokkaido. I was not allowed to pay for the plot in cash. I was, to some extent, coerced to take out a loan with Mitsubishi
Bank. The bank calculated my monthly payments. And, in the end, I think I finished up having to pay twice the normal
amount.
PROF. KITANO: The Mitsubishi Group is a major (business) concern. Before the war, Mitsubishi was even more powerful.
Today the Mitsubishi Bank is Soka Gakkai's main bank. There are strong ties between them.
An investigation into Soka Gakkai's gravestone business was triggered by the discovery of the yen equivalent of 1.2 million
(U.S.) dollars in a safe discarded in a scrap yard.
PROF. KITANO: A top member of Soka Gakkai said it was his own, personal money, and that it had no connection with
Soka Gakkai. The tax office thought it strange, and they started a full-scale investigation.
MINORU MORITA (Political Commentator): Contributions to Japanese religious organizations are not subject to either
taxation or inspection. They are free to collect and spend money as they choose.
In the shadow of Mt.Fuji, there is spectacular evidence of how Soka Gakkai spent some of its vast wealth. They constructed
here a complex that included halls, guest houses, shrines, and a structure that's the largest temple in Asia, and possibly the
largest in the world. This is where the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood tended to the spritual needs of the Soka Gakkai faithful.
But not any longer, following a long running power struggle between Ikeda and the priesthood. He and the entire Soka
Gakkai membership were excommunicated. Since 1992, the temple has been off limits, and the war of words continues.
REV. KOGAKU AKIMOTO (Nichiren-Shoshu Bureau of Religious Affairs): Our High Priest had talks with (gave guidance
to) Soka Gakkai. They refused to change their ways, and we had to excommunicate them.
DAISAKU IKEDA: They mercilessly excommunicated us without any real reason. Simply because they had enough money
and no longer needed us. There has been no worse incident in Buddhist history than this. They treated the believers like
slaves. It was like religion in medieval times.
INTERVIEWER: And you see yourself like Luther, reforming the church and bringing it away from the corruption of Rome?
DAISAKU IKEDA: Yes, it's the same thing. History is repeating itself. It's just like Luther. I am proud of it.
Mr. Ikeda's role as a thinker, rivaling Martin Luther, is enhanced by Soka University, which he founded in 1971, which is
now regarded as one of Japan's more successful seats of learning, and one of the fastest growing. It's already linked to a
sister campus in California, and soon to be joined by a second. Thanks to lavish endowment, the pangs of recession have
scarcely been felt here. The department of bio- engineering has recently opened and a new building program will make room
for more faculties and departments that feature in the founder's vision of the future. In the university prospectus is a fullsome
account of the founders life and works, pointing out that he has tirelessly devoted his life to promoting peace, culture and
education by establishing numerous cuItural and educational institutions. It also lists his honorary doctorates and
professorships from around the world -- over 40 of them, and his national decorations, and other major awards, and major
publications in English. There's also a translation of the founding spirit of the university, penned, of course, by Mr. Ikeda. --
"Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education, be the cradle of a new culture, be the fortress for the peace of
mankind."
One of Ikeda's major publications in English is titled "Choose Life."
It's a dialogue with the late Arnold J. Toynbee, distinguished British historian, and grandfather of Polly Toynbee.
POLLY TOYNBEE (Journalist): It's hard to imagine here, but the name "Toynbee," in Japan, is still extraordinarily influential.
Not just in the academic world and in the political world, but the students still read his books, because he is this prophet of
the rise of the Pacific Basin and the power of the Pacific.
STEVE GORE (Former SGI employee): Ikeda went to London, England to have a series of dialogues with a noted British
historian, ArnoId Tynbee, and we were part of the entourage traveling in a capacity as a liaison agent, but also in the ever
presence, our job was to jump on a bomb, or in front of a bullet, or in front of a knife in case this man was attacked by some
fanatical, unhappy person.
DAISAKU IKEDA: Dr. Toynbee welcomed me like his own son. Our talks were intense and at a very high Ievel. We had to
change interpreters twice.
For the Soka faithful, the book is almost Holy Writings. Years after Prof. Toynbee's death, and to their great surprise, Polly
Tynbee and her husband were invited to visit Mr. Ikeda in Japan.
POLLY TOYNBEE: Everything that we did was formal; huge, formal gatherings; meetings, with different people; meetings
with the women of Soka Gakkai; meetings with different groups, people associated in their minds with my grandfather in
some way or another, and we found it very oppressive; very alarming; and certainly by the time it came to the meeting with
him, by then we had formed a very clear idea of this extraordinary, militarily run organization. Phenomenal power, wealth, and
a sinister level of obedience.
INTERVIEWER: Did you get any impression of Ikeda, "the great spiritual leader"?
POLLY TOYNBEE: I think it would be hard to imagine a less spiritual man. He was in every way earthy. A powerful
megalomania; we got this aura of power from him that was extremely alarming. We then went, on another day with him, to
some huge Nurenberg style rally in a stadium, where everything was to the greater worship of him. And again, what he really
liked was this feeling of power.
Power and the trappings of power. This palace is the Japanese government's official guest house, where its most important
visitors are housed. Recently, the press was summoned here for a photo-call to witness the presentation to Pres. Nelson
Mandela of an honorary degree by Daisaku Ikeda. Throughout the ceremony, Mr. Ikeda appeared to be on the most intimate
terms with the distinguished visitor.
DAISAKU IKEDA: We first met five years ago. It was a very warm occasion. He had read my book in jail. He said we
should foster our friendship for the rest of my life.
POLLY TOYNBEE: What he did with my grandfather he has done time and time again with distinguished people all over the
world, who haven't a clue who he is, or what he is, and just imagine that he is an important and serious Japanese leader. And
so they agree to have a meeting with him, and out of perhaps one meeting comes the impression that it's a very close and
important relationship, and that this person has given their full support to Ikeda and his movement.
As founder of Soka-University, Mr. Ikeda has been able to confer honorary degrees on many of Japan's most eminent
visitors. When Mr. Gobechav was so rewarded, it was another splendid opportunity with Ikeda at center stage -- friend of
the powerful and patron of the arts.
Among Ikeda's more grandiose ventures in his cultural crusade is the establishment of two major museums of art. This one
(Tokyo Fuji Art Museum) houses 5,000 works, including paintings by many of the greatest European masters, from all the
principle periods and schools, up to the present day. Although there are fine paintings here, experts regard it as a curiously
mixed bag, which may be explained, in part, by the way it was put together. When Mr. Ikeda went shopping in the art
galleries of Europe, he didn't waste time on second thoughts or second opinions.
STEVE GORE: The rapidness at which Ikeda would walk through the galleries impressed me. He would spend maybe 4 to 6
minutes in each gallery. He would point and utter these commands. The names of the works, the prices and the catalog,
everything was written down. Several hours later, one of the general secretaries would come back with the briefcase full of
money. If the man was willing to meet for the bulk price - - the 3, 4 or 6 pieces from his gallery -- he was given the cash. I
found it amazing to see how fast one man could spend so much money.
Very serious questions have been asked on how so much money was spent on certain works of art, and where the money
went. Here at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, negotiations allegedly took place, in 1989, for the purchase of two French
impressionist paintings that are now in the Soka Gakkai collection. Tax authorities became suspicious, because both Soka
Gakkai and Mitsubishi claimed to have purchased the same paintings, on the same day, in the same place, but at a different
price.
Tax investigators could find no trace of two French nationals who supposedly sold the two Renoir paintings to Mitsubishi. It
appears to have been a double sale of the paintings in which 11 million (U.S.) dollars went astray -- simply disappeared.
Japanese newspapers suggest that the money probably finished-up in a political "slush-fund," and that Soka Gakkai is more
interested in pedaling political influence than it is in French impressionism.
DAISAKU IKEDA: Our museum bought the Renoir masterpieces for a very high price, but I knew nothing about it. If there
is a scandal, people always blame me.
No one was really made the scape-goat, although the authorities raided the premises of art dealers to discover who did sell
the paintings, and to whom. And aIthough they confiscated documents, and although Mitsubishi was ticked- off for dealing in
antiques without a license, and although inquiries went on for months by official agencies and the press, nothing was resolved.
PROF. KITANO: Without finding what happened to the money, the Japanese tax office stopped their investigation. We
believe that this was the result of strong political pressure by Soka Gakkai.
DAISAKU IKEDA: They can say or write what they like. They won't imprison me, or kill me with poison-gas. But I am
concerned at the way the mass media becomes emotional and prejudiced. This can hinder democracy and human rights.
To make sure that its members are not corrupted by hostile media, Soka Gakkai has its own communications network to
spread the word to 1,000 meeting halls and cultural centers. This can be of great value when it comes to election time.
Last year, Soka Gakkai's own party, Komei, was partially merged to form a new party, Shinshin-to (New Frontier Party
[NFP]). Recently, elections for the Upper House were the first real test of its strength. The voter turn-out was the lowest in
recent history, benefiting the party that could best deliver the votes. The results sent shock-waves through the political
circles,
with the new party winning 40 seats, thanks to the Soka Gakkai vote, and that must have profound implications for Mr.
Ikeda.
INTERVIEWER: As Shinshin-to, it must stand a reasonable chance, does it not, of being actually elected and forming a
government?
IKEDA: I am placed in a very difficult position. If I say yes, then people might slacken their efforts. If I say no, some people
may lose confidence. And so, I must say, maybe yes, and maybe no.
PROF. KITANO: Although Soka Gakkai calls itself a religious body, in reality, it's Ikeda's political organization. Ikeda's aim
is to use Soka Gakkai to take over Japanese politics and the civil service.
If we conclude from all the evidence that Soka Gakkai is not quite the great force for peace and harmony and human
happiness that it claims to be, does that really matter except to a number of hurt and angry individuals? For surely, the Aum-
Shinrikyo case tells us that it does matter. What that bizarre story reveals is a dangerous weakness in the Japanese
Constitution that leaves it virtually powerless to deal with the religious organizations. The constitution imposed on Japan by the
United States, at the end of World War II, guarantees freedom from state interference with religious groups, and that
provision protects their tax exempt status. Now, unless changes are made to the law, they will continue to use, or misuse,
their great wealth as they will. Changes to the Religious Corporation Law could check the secret use of funds that, in the
Aum-Shinrikyo case, were used to develop chemical weapons. Such reforms are now before Japan's legislatures. If they
become law, they could curb the power of all religious groups, including Soka Gakkai.
In a recent development, Japan's Justice Minister announced his resignation following allegations that in a secret deal with the
opposition, Shinshin-to party, he would agree to obstruct his own government's efforts to make religious organizations more
accountable. The name of Soka Gakkai, through its support of Shinshin-to is bound to be linked to the scandal.
The Japanese public is well aware that if recent election results are repeated in a general election, Shinshin-to could take the
reign of the government. And where then, would the real power lie?
REPORTER:
JULIAN PETTIFER
CAMERA:
KAZUTOMO IWATA
JOHN HALLIDAY
SOUND:
HIROHIKO YAMANAKA
TERRY TAILOR
DUBBING MIXER:
PAUL HARRIS
ON-LINE EDITOR:
MICHAEL SANDERS
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH:
DAVID LINES
FILM RESERCH:
ANNA MAKOWIECKA
PICTURE EDITOR:
SHELAGH BRADY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KRISHAN ARORA
PRODUCTION MANAGER:
SUSAN MORGAN
ASSISTANT PRODUCER:
DEAN PALMER
PRODUCER:
MARTIN SMITH
An Antelope Production For BBC
DEPUTY EDITOR:
FIONA MURCH
EDITOR:
KEITH BOWERS
Craig Bratcher
jqpu...@nitco.com
The largest, most comprehensive Buddhist website on the internet!
The Nichiren Shoshu Study Site. Go to:
http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/jqpublic/NShoshu1.html
Lori McDaniel
Hey Craig,
I know you are posting these "for Brian," but I can't help
but wonder WHY? Do you believe them to have any credibility?
Do you think Brian hasn't seen them before? Think again.
At least try to stick to mainstream "real" publcations, if
you expect to maintain any semblance of credibility here!
Lori
Craig Bratcher
Lori McDaniel <Lor...@concentric.net> wrote:
Lori:
I have already made a challenge to all sgi members:
Show me ONE article from ANY source that is not somehow
connected to the SGI PR machine that details the "evils" of
the priesthood, and I'll stop posting articles from TIME, SFC,
LA Times, BBC, etc., showing the criminal acts of SGI.
But as we have seen, this is impossible because:
NONE EXIST!
So....That means that any time someone (like Brian) comes
along spewing the SGI party GOSSIP about the "evil" priesthood,
I'm going to post every MAIN STRAEM PRESS article I can
find about the decadent millionaire cult leader, "sensei" Ikeda.
Craig Bratcher
jqpu...@nitco.com
Kenneth W. Burchell
In article <4pvrpu$3...@liberator.concentric.net>, Lori McDaniel
<Lor...@concentric.net> wrote:
> At least try to stick to mainstream "real" publcations, if
> you expect to maintain any semblance of credibility here!
>
> Lori
Yes, and speaking of credibility......this exercise in denial is by a
member of the pseudo-buddhist, personality-cult the Soka Gakkai.......what
a "hoot"!
Here's a few of those "mainstream 'real' publications" (you seem to have
missed them):
TIME Magazine
November 20, 1995 Volume 146, No. 21
JAPAN
THE POWER OF SOKA GAKKAI
FIND THIS FROM TIME'S HOMEPAGE WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR CHAIR!
http://pathfinder.com/@@cQhxKQUA1N@02C68/time/international/1995/951120/japan.html
GROWING REVELATIONS ABOUT THE COMPLICATED AND SINISTER NEXUS OF
POLITICS AND RELIGION
Whatever his political ambitions, Ikeda enjoys the limelight on
his own terms. Like many wealthy, would-be world figures, he
seeks chances to meet international celebrities such as Margaret
Thatcher or, just this year, Nelson Mandela, in order to
enhance his stature among the followers. He has also built up
a pricey art collection for Soka Gakkai, including two Renoirs,
sometimes buying numerous paintings at a time from a single
gallery and having aides pay for the works with suitcases of cash
that they carry on trips.
To his followers he is irresistible, the pinnacle of the
organization that means so much to them. But on the rare occasion when
he appears in public, like at a 1993 meeting of Soka Gakkai
International in California, Ikeda comes off as surprisingly
voluble and erratic. On that occasion, he repeatedly pounded
the table with both hands and mocked President Bill Clinton.
Former close associates like Ryu insist that Ikeda is not very
religious.
TOKYO JOURNAL
THE OLDEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER IN TOKYO
FIND THIS AT:http://coyote.accessnv.com:80/tamonten/doc02005.html
August 1993 Daisaku Ikeda -- statesman, billionaire, god
Soka Gakkai now has eight universities, schools, kindergartens and
other centers around the world. It recently completed an
extravagant international HQ on 580 acres of prime Santa Monica
estate. Glossy press packs burst with photos of Ikeda
meeting Gorbachev, Thatcher, Mitterand and Kissinger. Before
Ikeda visits his many schools and centers, his aids are
deployed to hand out gifts of soft drinks. After one visit
to Soka University in Hachioji, students proudly displayed the empty
cans in shoeboxes inscribed with the words: "Presents of
encouragement from Ikeda sensei." It is also no secret that Ikeda
desperately wants a Nobel Peace Prize; he has met with
many Nobel laureates and donates huge sums to charitable causes
such as Cambodian refugees, Ethiopian projects and Palestinian education.
Ikeda's followers consider him the earthly incarnation
of the Nichiren Daishonin saint; those who believe otherwise have felt
the wrath of this self-appointed god. When writer Hirotatsu
Fujiwara tried to publish a critical book in 1969, Ikeda employed
then-LDP Secretary General Kakuei Tanaka to persuade Fujiwara
to halt publication (He had him arrested on bogus
charges); the author also claimed that a KGB-Iike campaign
against him included death-threats and surveillance.
The scandal that erupted after these revelations forced
Ikeda's aides to apologize and soon after, to announce the formal
separation of Soka Gakkai from the Komeito. This restructuring
was little help to Komeito Diet member Toshio Ohashi, who
complained about Ikeda's megalomania in 1988. On Ikeda's nod,
Soka Gakkai withdrew its support on the grounds that
Ohashi had been receiving illegal campaign contributions.
Without Gakkai's funds and votes, Ohashi had no choice but to
resign from the Diet. The message was clear: nobody argues with The President.
Daisaku Ikeda's followers believe he is the earthly incarnation of a
saint; those who believe otherwise suffer his god-like wrath.
Wednesday, December 27, 1995 · Page A1
© 1996 San Francisco Chronicle
PAGE ONE -- Japan Fears Another Religious Sect
Michelle Magee, Chronicle Foreign Service
http://coyote.accessnv.com:80/tamonten/kaishinji.html
Soka Gakkai, a lay Buddhist group with $100 billion in assets,
has been accused of heavy-handed fund raising and
proselytizing, as well as intimidating its foes and trying to
grab political power. It has recently made headlines by becoming the
primary focus of a parliamentary debate over revising Japan's
law governing religions, an effort originally spurred by public
outrage over Aum's activities.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) summoned Soka Gakkai
leaders before the Diet in a twofold mission -- to score
points with the voters and embarrass the principal opposition
party by exposing its links to Soka Gakkai.
``The LDP is trying to establish in the public's mind that
Shinshinto (the opposition party) is Soka Gakkai,'' said Hirotada
Asagawa, a political critic. Such a prospect could kill efforts
by Shinshinto, also known as the New Frontier Party, to wrestle
back control of the government.
Soka Gakkai's size and wealth are impressive, and the group
and its controversial leader, Daisaku Ikeda, are regarded with
unease by many Japanese.
BBC CHANTING MILLIONS
http://coyote.accessnv.com:80/tamonten/chanting.html
PROF. KITANO: The Mitsubishi Group is a major (business) concern.
Before the war, Mitsubishi was even more powerful.
Today the Mitsubishi Bank is Soka Gakkai's main bank. There are strong
ties between them.
An investigation into Soka Gakkai's gravestone business was triggered by
the discovery of the yen equivalent of 1.2 million
(U.S.) dollars in a safe discarded in a scrap yard.
PROF. KITANO: A top member of Soka Gakkai said it was his own,
personal money, and that it had no connection with
Soka Gakkai. The tax office thought it strange, and they started
a full-scale investigation.
MINORU MORITA (Political Commentator): Contributions to Japanese
religious organizations are not subject to either
taxation or inspection. They are free to collect and spend
money as they choose.
To see the TIME magazine article outlining the violent nature of the
Ikeda worshippers, go to:
TIME Magazine
November 20, 1995 Volume 146, No. 21
International Edition: Asia
FIGHTING AGAINST THE TIDE
( For full text, go to: http://coyote.accessnv.com:80/tamonten/kaishinji.html
This can be found by searching for it at Time magazine's homepage, like I
did, at:
http://pathfinder.com/time/)
The San Francisco Chronicle corroberates the reports of the
Soka Gakkai'scriminal acts.
For many more articles about the corruption of the millionaire
cult leader, "sensei" president Ikeda, go to:
http://coyote.accessnv.com:80/tamonten/document.html
Brian Holly
Dear Ken,
If I were like Craig, I'd be calling you a "liar," because
your quote is NOT from TIME Magazine, it is from TIME Magazine
International Edition, whose editorial standards none of us are
familiar with. But I don't think you're a liar, or anything of
the sort.
I should also point out that even the familiar American Time
Magazine has never claimed to adhere to pristine standards of
objectivity. It has alwyas mixed news and editorial opinion.
That's why it heralded (the Christian)Chiang Kai Chek as the hero
of Asia for so many years. It has also always been a very
Christian magazine. They've had so many religious cover stories
lately I sometimes think they're abandoning news. They've had
Angels, the birth of Jesus, the Resurrection, and a bunch of
other such cover stories just in the last year. It would be a
stretch for them, at least, to refrain from knocking the most
successfully growing Buddhist group in the country.
As for your quote from the BBC - it was very revealing.
Money is found is suspicious circumstances, an investigation is
launched - it all sounds very bad - BUT the results of the
investigation is never revealed. Do you think they would have
omitted that if it had shown SGI wrongdoing?
By the way, can you answer my two questions? How can you
sincerely follow NSS without dealing with those questions? -
Brian
Craig Bratcher
Brian Holly <hol...@mail.sgi.net> wrote:
> I should also point out that even the familiar American Time
>Magazine has never claimed to adhere to pristine standards of
>objectivity. It has alwyas mixed news and editorial opinion.
>That's why it heralded (the Christian)Chiang Kai Chek as the hero
>of Asia for so many years.
As a follower of "sensei" Ikeda, I'll bet you loved
Mao Tse Tung and his "people's revolution!"
Craig Bratcher
jqpu...@nitco.com
Craig Bratcher
Brian Holly <hol...@mail.sgi.net> wrote:
>Dear Ken,
> If I were like Craig, I'd be calling you a "liar,"
Brian,
In case you didn't know, Ken has first hand knowledge of the
humanistic activities of SGI/USA. You see, he is "Ken B" is the plaintiff in the lawsuit
that I posted that was filed against the SGI members, Eddie Y and Larry T.
I know Eddie Y. personally. A real fanatic and faithful follower of your master,
the millionaire cult leader, Mr. Ikeda.
Here it is again in case you missed it:
FILE
IN CLERKS OFFICE
COURT OF APPEALS
STATE OF WASHINGTON, DIVISION III
DATE: JUNE 9, 1994
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
KEN B No. 13065-7-III
Respondent,
V.
) Division Three
LARRY T ) Panel Four
Appellant.
)
KEN B ) No. 13066-5-III
Respondent,
V.
EDDIE Y
Appellant. FILED JUN - 9 1994
SCHULTHEIS, J.-- After trial to the bench, the Spokane County Superior Court found in favor of Ken
B on his civil harassment claim and entered protection orders against Larry T and Eddie Y.
Appellants contend: (1) the findings are unsupported by the evidence and in turn fail to support the
conclusions; and (2) the civil harassment statute is vague and overbroad. We reverse.
Nichiren Shoshu Temple (NST) is the "temple side" of Japanese Buddhism and is a religious order
operated by ordained priests. Various lay groups also practice Buddhism, but without official sanction by
NST. One of these is Soka Gakkai International (SGI). SGI was affiliated with NST and supported the
parent organization, financially and otherwise, but about a year prior to the events giving rise to this
controversy, NST expelled SGI. The record does not disclose what prompted this action.
Among those SGI members affected were Mr. Y, Mr. T , Dave M , Shizuko S and Melissa S. Mr.Y
learned the regional high priest of NST, Reverend Jiho Takahashi, had left San Francisco and was due to
arrive in Spokane. Mr. Y alerted Mr. T who contacted Ms. S and Ms. S. They decided to meet Reverend
Takahashi's plane so Mr. Y and Ms. S could confront him about the rift. Mr. Y left his home in Seattle,
bringing with him surveillance equipment, and met with the others in the group who resided in Spokane.
On May 23, 1992, they drove to the Spokane International Airport. Mr. T and Mr. M did not enter the
terminal and remained in their respective vehicles, each equipped with a walkie-talkie.
Forewarned of a possible confrontation, two NST members, Mr. B and Paul K , were at the airport to
greet the plane. Mr. B had been a member of SGI but left to join NST. The reason for Reverend
Takahashi's presence in Spokane was to officiate at Mr. B's wedding over the weekend. Reverend
Takahashi and his assistant, Yoshiko Huseth, deplaned and as the four of them stood together, Mr. Y
approached the group and began speaking to the priest in a loud and aggressive manner. The two were in
bodily contact and Mr. Y was "in his face". Mr. B directed Mr. Y to step back. A scuffle ensued when
Mr. B interposed himself between Mr. Y and Reverend Takahashi in response to a perceived threat of
physical violence. The NST party then proceeded through the concourse toward the exit. Along the way,
Mr. Y continued to shout at Reverend Takahashi who did not respond. The one-sided conversation was
in both English and Japanese. Mr. B did not understand Japanese and at trial, the only comments he
could attribute to Mr. Y were "Stop. We want to talk to you. We want to talk to your priest. We want to
go to your meeting."
As the party walked toward the main terminal, Ms. S, accompanied by Ms. S, confronted Reverend
Takahashi. Mr. K positioned himself between the priest and his adversary. In the process, he hooked Ms.
S's purse with a luggage cart and tugged it from her grasp. On reaching the magnetometer station, Mr. B
asked one of the attendants to summon airport security for assistance in preventing the SGI contingent
from following and harassing Reverend Takahashi. Mr. Y and Ms. S continued to try to talk to the priest.
All of the SGI members were chattering loudly and several were grasping at the NST group. Security
personnel contacted the SGI contingent in the terminal parking garage which allowed the Takahashi party
to escape. After engaging in brief conversation, the officers took no action.
The NST members retrieved their automobile and prepared to drive to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where Mr.
B resides. Still intent on confronting Reverend Takahashi, the SGI group put into operation a backup plan
to maintain contact. Mr. M observed Mr. B's vehicle leave the parking garage and radioed Mr. T on a
walkie-talkie. The two surveillance vehicles fell in behind Mr. B's vehicle as he left the airport. While on
the Interstate 90 freeway, Mr. B sensed he was being followed and brought his vehicle to a halt at an
access ramp to confirm his suspicions. Another vehicle did likewise, and in the front seat were Mr. Y and
Mr. T . No threats, menacing gestures or verbal abuse occurred, although Mr. B did observe one of the
men had what appeared to be a walkie-talkie. Mr. B then took evasive action by leaving the freeway. He
was followed by Mr. T . He re-entered the freeway, again followed by Mr. T 's car, and proceeded to his
destination.
Various incidents occurred in Idaho later in the day and the following morning. Among them, Mr. Y and
Mr T had "difficulty finding accommodations" that evening and finally located a bed and breakfast facility
where they remained for the night. It happened to be the same bed and breakfast where Reverend
Takahashi and his assistant were staying. Testimony relating to events transpiring in Idaho was excluded
because the court concluded that extraterritorial harassment, if any, was not relevant. Some information
developed nonetheless when Mr. T testified without objection to meeting Reverend Takahashi in Coeur
d'Alene. The priest and his assistant were having breakfast. Mr. Y and Mr. T joined them, there
apparently being only one table at the facility. The situation was "tense", but not confrontational. The
SGI members were still intent on engaging the priest in dialogue, but another couple staying at the bed
and breakfast sat down at the table and Mr. T felt it would not have been "really appropriate to talk to
him" under the circumstances. The priest left the table after the first course of the meal and did not
return.
Mr. Y, Ms. S and several other SGI members returned to the airport later that day in the belief Reverend
Takahashi would be departing and they might again have an opportunity to speak with him. He was, but
security personnel allowed the priest to avoid public access areas and to leave through a special gate.
There was no contact at the time between any of the NST and SGI members.
Mr. B commenced an action under RCW 10.14 seeking civil antiharassment orders against Mr. Y, Mr. T
and Ms. S . At the close of the evidence, the court dismissed the action as to Ms. S but held against her
male companions and restrained them from engaging in acts of intimidation or harassment directed at Mr.
B.
You may not be a liar, but you sure are a crybaby.
Craig Bratcher
jqpu...@nitco.com
Azalea 47
Craig and Ken:
I am sorry that you and your priest were hounded by these individuals.
Kathy
Hackaroony
Craig and Ken:
If "Eddie Y" is who I think he is, then you have my full support on
thinking ill of him, and I recommend he be removed from positions of
responsibility.
Unfortunately, there are still "old rhythm" elements in the SGI, and he is
one of them. I have knowledge (secondhand) of a completely different
event than what you relate, one involving only SGI members, and the way he
behaves is completely ridiculous.
Let me just say before anyone jumps on this point, that for every "Eddie
Y" in the Gakkai, there are countless sincere good people practicing and
acting responsibly. I don't just hope that, I know it from experience.
I'm talking not just about members, but most leaders as well.
However, we must all face up to these "Eddie Y"s and confront them at
every opportunity.
Hugh
Rogowdoc
In article <4qctg3$90f@taurus>, Brian Holly <hol...@mail.sgi.net> writes:
> I should also point out that even the familiar American Time
>Magazine has never claimed to adhere to pristine standards of
>objectivity. It has alwyas mixed news and editorial opinion.
>That's why it heralded (the Christian)Chiang Kai Chek as the hero
>of Asia for so many years
Brian, as a writer for the Seikyo times, you must know
that Pres. Ikeda holds Chiang Kai Chek and his widow in very high esteem.
Mark
Rick A Hukkanen
In <4qe44g$l...@hyperion.nitco.com> jqpu...@nitco.com (Craig Bratcher)
writes:
>Brian Holly <hol...@mail.sgi.net> wrote:
>
>> I should also point out that even the familiar American Time
>>Magazine has never claimed to adhere to pristine standards of
>>objectivity. It has alwyas mixed news and editorial opinion.
>>That's why it heralded (the Christian)Chiang Kai Chek as the hero
>
> As a follower of "sensei" Ikeda, I'll bet you loved
>Mao Tse Tung and his "people's revolution!"
>Craig Bratcher
Would you like to convince yourself that we of the SGI love communism?
If so, go ahead.
Ponimaiyoo po-rooski?
shto ti deliesh? I'll answer this one for you: NOWHERE.
-Rick
Brian Holly
rogo...@aol.com (Rogowdoc) wrote:
>In article <4qctg3$90f@taurus>, Brian Holly <hol...@mail.sgi.net> writes:
>
>>Magazine has never claimed to adhere to pristine standards of
>>objectivity. It has alwyas mixed news and editorial opinion.
>>That's why it heralded (the Christian)Chiang Kai Chek as the hero
>
> Brian, as a writer for the Seikyo times, you must know
>that Pres. Ikeda holds Chiang Kai Chek and his widow in very high esteem.
>
>
> Mark
Yeah, as well as Chou En Lai and his widow. For my money,
neither of these killers deserves respect. But that's Pres.
Ikeda's lookout, not mine. Also, I am not exactly a "writer" for
the ST. I gave a couple of Culture Dept. presentations here in
Pgh. a few years ago and wrote them up. The ST was kind enough to
print them. - Brian
Brian Holly
Craig and Ken,
Alas, there are still some leaders who disgrace the SGI by
their actions. I hope they are dealt with swiftly and
appropriately. No one should ever be subject to such harassment.
Best wishes on your suit. - Brian