The "Reform Movement" Declaration

DATE: May 10th, 2002
TO: All SGI-USA Members
FROM: SGI-USA Reform Movement
SUBJECT: Declaration

SGI-USA REFORM MOVEMENT DECLARATION

The supporters of this Declaration are a group of SGI-USA members. We support the evolution of Nichiren Buddhism into a form compatible with American ideals and modern times. These include compassion toward all, anger toward none, and respect for individuals in their efforts toward spiritual growth.

We have become increasingly concerned with the direction in which SGI-USA is heading, especially since the split with Nichiren Shoshu in 1990. We believe that the problems within SGI-USA have reached a point where they must be dealt with promptly or our organization may wither into insignificance as the American branch of an idiosyncratic Japanese sect.

Our intention is not simply to describe the problems we see. We intend to establish a structured group that can channel the efforts of people who are interested in working for the reform of SGI-USA.

Although this initiative has been launched by SGI-USA members with the intention of working for reform of SGI-USA, we welcome the participation of SGI members from other countries. We believe that many of the problems we perceive in SGI-USA also exist in other countries.

1. Autonomy

SGI-USA is controlled from Japan, contrary to SGI Charter Article 6. SGI-USA must create and follow its own constitution and become independent from Japan. We believe this is essential to our survival and future growth in America.

2. Adulation Of The Leader

Excessive focus on President Ikeda in our publications and by the leadership has given many the feeling that the SGI-USA is a cult of personality based around him. We feel this is diametrically opposed to the actual message of individual empowerment that is at the heart of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This cult-like appearance severely impedes our ability to effectively fulfill the mission of spreading this Buddhism in America.

3. Soka Spirit / Temple Issue

Led by President Ikeda, SGI-USA has followed the Japanese Soka Gakkai into a war against another Buddhist sect, with no articulated goals. This has been accompanied by a long string of petty lawsuits from both sides, sordid accusations, doctored photographs, etc. Soka Spirit, despite attempts to clean up its image with a name change from the original Temple Issue, is devoted to the elimination of the Nichiren Shoshu.

We believe that SGI-USA should disband Soka Spirit and unilaterally end the war. The Soka Spirit movement's stated goals of the elimination of Nichiren Shoshu and the expulsion of the 'Nikken sect' (sic) from every country are in direct contradiction to SGI Charter Articles 3 and 7. Legally and morally Nichiren Shoshu has the right to exist in America. We believe that this war gives SGI USA the appearance of being another petty religious organization more concerned with winning the battle of who's "right" than helping people to change their lives. We are concerned that the focus of our practice itself has been changed by arguments crafted to support this war. Arguments attempting to prove that Nikken is the personified King Devil of the Sixth Heaven, that correct practice now must include active participation in the war against this external enemy, and that action against this external enemy will lead to changes within our lives, are becoming core doctrines of the SGI. This doctrine seems to be in direct contradiction to the idea that our environment is a reflection of our internal state of life and that the way to change our environment is to change ourselves. We believe that Nichiren Buddhism's focus on internal change that is then reflected in the environment is one of the key ideas that makes this practice unique, empowering and attractive. The war against Nichiren Shoshu and the arguments used to support it detract from that message.

4. One-True-Sect Rhetoric

The declarations that we alone possess correct understanding of the Law, and the idea that SGI activities and policies are exclusively synonymous with Buddhism, whether one believes it or not, are embarrassingly grandiose. This attitude appears self righteous to new members, encourages hostility towards other Buddhist sects, and sows the seeds of distrust and suspicion towards fellow members who do not accept all aspects of SGI doctrine, leading to talk of traitors, shunning of members, warnings of Karmic retribution, and threats of the Avici Hell.

Our doctrines changed when we left Nichiren Shoshu and are continuing to evolve, but the basic practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon, accepting responsibility for our own lives, and helping others to do the same, has not. We have tremendous confidence in the power of this practice, and feel that Americans are attracted to our confidence, but are turned off by our disparagement of others, and "my way or the highway" rhetoric which only serves to remind people of the attitudes they most dislike about their previous religious organizations.

In this regard, we support SGI Charter Articles 4 and 7, and encourage dialogue with all Nichiren Buddhists, regardless of sectarian affiliation.

5. The Undemocratic Leadership Structure

Top down appointment of leaders, secret decision making processes, and a lack of accountability or appeal procedures, are not an effective way to run an organization in America. We need a more democratic, less centralized organizational structure, with more input from the members, and leaders who understand American culture and are willing to represent the American members.

6. Financial Disclosure

We believe that SGI-USA should adopt a policy of complete disclosure of the finances of the organization to the membership. This is currently the policy of SGI organizations in several countries where such disclosure is mandatory, without apparent harmful effects, and it is also the policy of almost all mainstream religious organizations in America.

7. Publications

The format and content of the World Tribune has led to many members declining to subscribe to it, and many of those who subscribe out of loyalty don't read it. The cheerleading style of the World Tribune has limited appeal to many members, and is particularly unhelpful for introducing new members to Buddhism.

Conclusion

This group has concluded that for our organization to survive and thrive in America major changes must take place. We wish to initiate the development of a forum for open discussion of the issues among the membership, with every topic being open for consideration, including the role of President Ikeda. Our hope is that we can provide the initial impetus for the development of a more open, democratic, and bottom up organizational structure. We hope this development will reduce the exodus of members unhappy with the current structure of the organization, attract back many members who left in the past because of those same factors, and stimulate the existing membership to promote this Buddhism, and this organization, with joy.

Signed by
- Bill Anker, Granada Hills, California
- Jean Anker, Granada Hills, California
- Rick Bluford, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Peter DiCaprio, New York, New York
- Mick Gregory, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Andy Hanlen, Long Beach, California
- Christopher H. Holte, Silver Spring, Maryland
- Norman P. McCormick, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Patricia Whitley Musgrove, Hampton Roads, Virginia
- Jerry Nowatzke, Forest Park, Illinois
- Dee Sutliffe, Niagara Falls, New York

NOTE: If you would like to add your name in support of this Declaration, please send your full name with your city and state of residence to:
SGILoyalOpposition-owner@yahoogroups.com

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