About that SGI Ponzi scammer in Canada

satisfied

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.

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by: clown hidden @ Fri Jul 16, 2010 at 01:56:44 AM UTC

More Soka fibbing?

The story of Robert Mander is an interesting one. I recommend this profile by the CBC:

Part of Mander's image relied on his Buddhist spirituality, she said, but his modus operandi was to read people and figure out their personalities.

"He had a gift," she said, "a radar for finding good people who would think the best of other people and, of course, the best of him."

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:

Tony 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.

Can't recall, be he relates the story later in the article cited by mroaks. ??? Further...

He said if Mander played on his Buddhist spirituality to draw in investors, it's a "total violation of everything we're about. We have strict rules about not loaning and not soliciting business from fellow members. If there were a situation like that, we would take steps to rectify it, and absolutely would never condone it."

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.

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by: brooke @ Fri Jul 16, 2010 at 04:09:12 AM UTC

I don't make the connection

I don't make the connection between the quotes

Tony 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...

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by: clown hidden @ Fri Jul 16, 2010 at 04:39:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

What's in it for me?

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.  

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by: auntie @ Sat Jul 17, 2010 at 21:20:19 PM UTC