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Facebook

I feel more justified in my shunning of Facebook. I'm not totally certain I understand what is going on. Is someone claiming that his or her name is "Soka member"?

If this is not a real soka member, it would seem that someone is trying to exploit your "affinity" with soka to gain access to your facebook postings.

I would be very dubious about adding an unknown person to my circle of "friends." I have heard the horror stories of strangers harvesting information from the unsuspecting.

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by: auntie @ Sun Jul 18, 2010 at 22:04:17 PM UTC

protect yourself

I know people who don't even use their real information because they are afraid some one will get enough information to commit identity threat.
I on the other hand don't worry about it. I'd friend anyone I wasn't actively avoiding. I don't feel threatened by identity theft who'd want to be me? And I have anything I post available to everyone friend or not.

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by: clown hidden @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 05:12:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

who cares?

Obviously a lot of people do care, but for what reason? Personally, I find these types of things completely irrelevant.

The web has done quite a lot to help Buddhism, especially for study purposes, and for that I am grateful. However, Facebook and Twitter are nothing more than self aggrandizement for the most part.


Markp

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by: markp @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 14:23:34 PM UTC

Funny guy

As opposed to your posts here, Mark. You are funny!

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by: Cultmember @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 17:30:08 PM UTC

why do you care?

How many friends do you have? Most people have a few very good friends and a bunch of acquaintance's. Why do you care what these acquaintance's think? Why would anyone want to follow your life?

I can see that families would want to have a space where all the relatives could go to see pic's, but I just don't see the need for these social media sites. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, in that I run my own server and can do anything I want with it.

Markp

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by: markp @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 18:51:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mentor and server

I don't see the need for Bocci ball lanes in my local park either, but some people enjoy it.

You have your own server, big woo, What DO you do with it?

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by: Cultmember @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 20:21:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

server

I provide a listserv for Nichiren Shoshu members and host the Nichiren Sangha forum. I also have a database of the Gosho on it.

Markp

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by: markp @ Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 23:40:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Soka Member

I'm a mother of thise Soka refugees! You hurt me by doing this! I'm Goh Nai Ling - Member From Singapore Soka Association (SSA - SGI).. Creator of face book soka member page.. If you look carefully at my info page, you realize that all information given is correct.. as well on top of the account my real name was pop up just next to Soka member!

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi Quotes: In his writings Nichiren Daishonin states that there is no greater shame than to be praised by fools. When a person who claims to be a Buddhist makes judgments about the fundamental nature and value of things, the standard for that judgment must be the strict law of cause and effect that is taught in Buddhism. You cannot be a person of Great Good if you are swayed by the praise or criticism of others.

Soka Members For Members Movement. "One for All, All for One" Turning one's sufferings into one's mission, the mission to overcome the suffering ..

Soka members are believer and follower of Buddhism with members in 190 countries and territories worldwide.

The movement and human rights.. Soka promotes peace and democracy, the respect of human rights and of the child's rights, non-discrimination, ecology, nuclear disarmement. This role has been recognized by the United Nations. In 1981, Soka became a UNHCR-recognized NGO and in 1983, it was also registered with the ECOSOC. Soka sponsors artistic events, concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, etc.

~ My Bio: http://www.facebook.com/note.p...

We are a Soka refugees, We are 3 and 9 years old boys a Soka members from Singapore, who are face persecution in the ground of our parents religion converted from Islam to Nichiren Buddhism 10 years ago. We wish to thanks Sensei "Daisaku Ikeda" and the Soka Gakkai were critically reported on in time and safe Soka members from being persecuted in 2008.

We have started "Members For Members" movement in respond to the need of members worldwide.. Soka members' "One for All, All for One" by turning one's sufferings into one's mission, the mission to overcome the suffering in order to be encouraging to all the members. The Three Musketeers could teach the humankind a thing or two. Each member of the trio is talented, but together they make the biggest impact. And if one is in a jam, the others come to the rescue: all for one, one for all.

We struggle even with the word, 'Member' - different people in Soka Gakkai have different approaches to it and there is no consensus. Responding to member suffering and humanitarian crises requires more than promoting peace; if a Soka member is being abused, it requires more than sending prayer, and SGI should pat themselves on the back for breaking through the 'Quotes alone' barrier.

We, Soka members asking Sensei "President Ikeda" to order SGI committee to better address the issues such as attacks, violence, chaos, atrocities, suffering, and innocent members. As a witness of racial-discrimination against Nichiren Buddhism follower and SGI member and refugee under UNHCR mandate, refugee who was suffering from injustice and injury.

While Soka Gakkai promotes democracy, the respect of human rights and of the child's rights, non-discrimination, ecology, nuclear disarmement. This role has been recognized by the United Nations. In 1981, Soka Gakkai became a UNHCR-recognized NGO and in 1983, it was also registered with the ECOSOC. Soka Gakkai sponsors artistic events, concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, etc.

We are suffering injustice, the law provides a more 'formal' description of Human Rights and people's subsequent suffering that gives due legal precision to otherwise vague political and diplomatic discourse. Such legal description is vital as a complement to more general and understandably emotive terms like attacks, violence, chaos, atrocities, suffering, and innocent people. It makes for more powerful rule-based arguments that can be used to persuade those responsible to take action.

We are admire the Sensei words that Human rights will only become truly universal and indivisible when they span the most basic, existential division--that of self and other. And this can only occur when both the right to and duty of humane treatment are observed, not in response to externally imposed norms, but through spontaneous action stemming from the naturally powerful desire to assist our fellows whose ability to live in a humane manner is under threat (http://www.ikedaquotes.org/human-rights.html)

We do hope that Ikeda Sensei help us through strong diplomatic relation and respect by addressing Soka refugees suffering and abuses, Every time we pray to the Gohonzon, we reaffirm this belief. "We are not Slave" "Remaining silent in the face of injustice is the same as supporting it. ~ Ikeda Sensei"

Thank you

Goh Nai Ling
(Soka Member from Singapore)
Mobile: +86-15900808068
Email: admin@sokamember.com  

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by: Sokamember @ Sat Jul 24, 2010 at 19:57:43 PM UTC

Soka Member

I apologize on behalf of this site for any hurt or confusion caused by this post and related comments. I have added a link on this site to your facebook page in the far right column under "Sites to See."

I wish you all the best in what you are trying to accomplish.

Everyone else....argh. Please when quoting, referencing, or dissing another website or web page, please include a link to the site in question. Argh again.

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by: buddhajones @ Sat Jul 24, 2010 at 23:35:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Soka members?

Well, it does raise the question, why is there a need for a "member for members" movement in SGI? Isn't SGI supposed to be taking care of its members? Isn't that its sole purpose for existing?

Anyway your Facebook account is in clear violation of Facebook guidelines (no religious group names in the account name).  

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by: Cultmember @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 08:31:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly

Problem is, many Soka members believe that the Great Sensei, Daisaku Ikeda, can solve the worlds problems. They honestly think if he only knew about the plight of certain groups of people who are suffering, he would move heaven and earth to help them. These members think they just have to chant more sincerely, work harder for soka, and reply to Sensei, and then all of a sudden he will shed his omnipotent grace on them and solve the problem.

Again -- and how many times do i have to say it? -- Soka is a cult of personality that harms real, sincere, genuine people by feeding them bullshit about Ikeda and misrepresenting the entire intent, practice, and purpose of Nichiren Buddhism.

I mean, hello.

"If only I had a nickel for every time I've heard someone say that the Soka skunk has changed its stripe." -- auntie

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by: mroaks @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 21:11:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

is that true?

If people say Ikeda can solve the worlds problems I'd like a citation, Who said exactly what.
I laugh every time you say cult. All the major world religions started as cults and as far as I'm concerned almost every religion steals your money and power. A cult is just a religion you don't like.  

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by: clown hidden @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 13:59:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

So simple

Clown, if you're sincerely interested in understanding what differentiates a cult from a religion, I suggest this site:
http://www.howcultswork.com/

Maybe you believe that "religion" is synonymous with deception and emotional manipulation. Very often, religious groups employ these tactics (as do political groups and social groups.) When religious groups use these tactics, they become cultish.

The religion of Buddhism does not preach, rely on or employ deception or emotional manipulation. On the contrary, it teaches a method of liberation from these things. Guilt trips, coercion, and lies are signs of a cult. Most if not all of the worlds religions struggle with cultic factions, and the same is true of Buddhism. But you cannot accurately claim that the religion of Buddhism teaches emotional dependence on a group or charismatic leader.

I really do wonder why you feel qualified to authoritatively comment on Nichiren Buddhism and the Nichiren community when you have repeatedly expressed your contempt for the religion. You seem to think it's all a con -- therefore, fraudulent representations of Nichiren Buddhism don't concern you -- because it's all a big lie anyway.

If Nichiren Buddhism is one big moneymaking, coercive, deceptive, manipulative cult to you, what does that say about you, pal?

As for SGI members believing that Ikeda has the power to solve the world's problems, just read the comment above from Soka Member. Many (most?) members believe that Ikeda has diplomatic status and power as a world leader who writes allegedly influential peace proposals.

Even though Ikeda is dictator-for-life of SGI, these members somehow believe that if Sensei "only knew" what was going on in SGI, he would change the organization immediately. The old Independent Reassessment Group is a great example. They sincerely believed that Sensei wanted a democratic American organization that respected personal liberty and religious tolerance. Because that's what Ikeda's writings have claimed. But they were wrong about Ikeda's intentions. They found out the hard way.

"If only I had a nickel for every time I've heard someone say that the Soka skunk has changed its stripe." -- auntie

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by: mroaks @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 19:34:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

???

Your picture of me is inaccurate. You didn't supply any citations. Until you do I will just think you make this shit up. What does that say about YOU pal?  

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by: clown hidden @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 20:07:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Deluded hero worship

Oh please. Anyone who has spent any time at all in or around SGI knows that deluded hero worship of omnipotent sensei is the order of the day. Do your own googling. But in case you can't, here's some low-hanging fruit. Emphasis mine....

Source: http://journeys-journal.blogsp...

....Then in 1975 he wrote the significant one word - 'World', under the 'Citizenship' column when registering the 'Soka Gakkai International' which he founded. That identity holds monumental brilliance in his life - it speaks for oneself the enlightened condition one single great life that is born into this world, and for the world as well. Till this very end, this identity has never waned or faded for a single moment. Year by year, month by month, where tides ebbed and seasons changed, my mentor has single-mindedly permeated his very entire life through and through with this one single thought of laying down his life for the purpose of establishing a world free from pain and suffering, absence of hatred and hurt, and away from human cries and tormenting weepings. In a word, he wants an ocean of clear conscience and sunrays of philosophical enlightenment to engulf the entire blue planet. My mentor has never sought an alternative in this life-and-death pursuit; never would he want to accomplish anything else less.

In a nutshell, he has shown the world how a human should behave. On the other hand, he has also shown the world how humanity should live. This, in all levels, is a life-draining task for anyone to undertake. It is an almost superhuman task by itself. My mentor loves humanity dearly. Nothing gives him more pleasure than to see one human being, rising from the muddy pond of suffering and misery, to blossom and spring up with joy, basking in the warm sunshine with laughter and happiness. He has indeed given his all to what he has set out and fought for.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages...

Little could anyone have ever imagined that he would be a mentor, leader, hero, peace activist, and truly one of the greatest humans that has ever lived....

He has talked with more leaders than most ambassadors have during their career. [hahahahaha -- mroaks] A truly powerful and inspirational man that has taken responsibility of accomplishing Kosen-rufu and inspiring peoples Human Revolution.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/group...

Ikeda's philosophy is inseparable from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Buddhist sage Nichiren (1222-82) and the Lotus Sutra from which Nichiren's teachings are derived.

Oh really? Ikeda/Nichiren/Lotus Sutra=inseparable? Gee, how could anyone ever get the impression that Ikeda is elevated and lauded by SGI members as a planet-saving Buddha?

"If only I had a nickel for every time I've heard someone say that the Soka skunk has changed its stripe." -- auntie

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by: mroaks @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 21:25:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

UNPROVEN

Your allegation was that people believed he could solve all the problems of the world.
That allegation remains unproven and now I will think of you as a liar. Prove your allegation you lying sack of shit!

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by: clown hidden @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 22:23:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Clown

I'm going to butt in. Clown, please think about what value your comment adds to this exchange. Does it further the argument you're trying to make?

How do you think your comment reflects on the organization you're trying to defend? (Rhetorical question.)

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by: buddhajones @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 22:32:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

lying

I didn't make it personal. Shithead did. And if he had any evidence he would have brought it out by now. I don't think I could take anything away from something that has no value to begin with.
Mr. Oaks is just a moron with an axe.

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by: clown hidden @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 23:07:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Excellent comment

I don't think I could take anything away from something that has no value to begin with.

:)

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by: Cultmember @ Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 13:50:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

.

Like me or hate me, my point is simple. If you want to slander people get your facts straight or you look like an asshole.

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by: clown hidden @ Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 14:42:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]