New Religious Movements Page: Soka Gakkai

Soka Gakkai

I. Profile Report

Name: Soka Gakkai
Founder: According to a 1960 group publication entitled The Sokagakkai, Makiguchi Tsunesaburo is considered co-founder of the movement along with the second president, Toda Josei (27). Makiguchi established the early form of the group called Soka Kyoiku Gakkai and made fundamental connections with Nichiren Shoshu (1930's), and Toda Josei, his protege, reestablished the group after World War II (Metraux, History 22).
Date of Birth: Makiguchi was born June 1871 in Niigata Prefecture, and at a young age, he moved to Hokkaido. He died in prison in 1944 (Sokagakkai 27). Toda was born in February 1900 in a Ishikawa Prefecture fishing village and later moved to Sapporo (in Hokkaido). He died in 1951 (Sokagakkai 29).
Year Group Founded: First in 1937 as the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, and then again in 1951 (Shupe 231).
History: Soka Gakkai is one of Nichiren Shoshu's several "infant" sects that follow the teachings of the thirteenth century Buddhist monk named Nichiren. (Metraux, History 13). Soka Gakkai claims two founders: Makiguchi Tsunesaburo, and Toda Josei. In 1928, both men joined Nichiren Shoshu, but scholars argue that their commitment was questionable.
Makiguchi, out of his secular concern for Japan's education system, published a magnum opus on value judgement, and he stressed the importance of value judgements that vary among individuals (Metraux, History 25). His focus was on educational reform (Metraux, History 23). As Makiguchi became increasingly active within Nichiren Shoshu, he began to view religion as the "'fundamental teaching which regulates individual life'" (Metraux, History 27).
He determined that only through the teachings of Nichiren could an individual achieve the ultimate goal of happiness. Makiguchi founded Soka Kyoiku Gakkai in 1937 based on this basic assessment, and by 1943 they claimed three thousand members (Metraux, History 27). He was imprisoned with several leading members (including Toda) in 1943 because he refused a 1941 order to consolidate Soka Kyoiku Gakkai with the other Nichiren lay groups. Makiguchi died in prison in 1944.
With the 1945 Occupation, the prisoners from the group were released, and Toda Josei began work to reestablish the group (Shupe 231). Toda is said to have given Soka Gakkai a philosophical foundation, as he redefined religious ideas and produced lectures and books (Metraux, History 22). The new leader focused on the reformation of the human spirit (23).
During this post-war period, the movement grew rapidly (Metraux, "Dispute" 325). In Soka Gakkai's post-war form, the group became the "the mobilizing arm of of Nichiren Shoshu," and claimed as many as fifteen million followers (Shupe 233). Soka Gakkai grew to include several international branches, support the birth and growth of an influential political party, and help build a multi-million dollar temple that inspires international awe.
In 1955, one of the group's board of directors members won a seat in Tokyo's prefectural assembly (Shupe 233). This marked the beginning of Soka Gakkai's political involvement. In 1962, Komekai, or the "Clean Government Association" emerged as a "Gakkai-affiliated" organization and registered with the national government (Shupe 233). In 1964, the association became a Komeito, the "Clean Government [Political] Party" (Shupe 234). The party's angle consisted of high Buddhist morals.
Because of Komeito's affiliation with a Buddhist movement, their platform pronounced the party members to be immune to bribery and corruption, able to resist military entanglements (specifically, US military bases in Japan), and innocent of the danger of communist influence in Japan (Shupe 234). As of the late 1960's, Komeito is the third largest political power in the Japan's National Diet. In 1970,the political party formally seperated from Soka Gakkai, however today, nearly all party members support Soka Gakkai members (Shupe 234). Another, more profound separation occured in 1992. Soka Gakkai formally seperated from Nichiren Shoshu, its parent sect.
Sacred or Revered Texts: Soka Gakkai members believe the "ultimate truth" lies in the Lotus Sutra, which states that all individuals have Buddhahood potential (Metraux, History 7).
Cult or Sect: Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts "cult" and "sect" are employed in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreciation of the positive benefits of pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do not carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts "cult" and "sect," please visit our Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect" page, where you will find additional links to related issues.
Beliefs: Both aforementioned co-founders contributed pieces to Soka Gakkai's belief system. First, Makiguchi is accredited with the connection between Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu (Metraux, History 22). He maintained that the each individual's ultimate goal is happiness (individual and societal), and only through the teachings of Nichiren as rendered by Nichiren Shoshu could one achieve such a goal.
Makiguchi outlined two crucial elements in understanding life and the external world: cognition (truth) and evaluation (value). While truth is empirically accepted by society, the individual makes his or her own value judgements (Metraux, History 25). The two must be fully understood and respected equally. Each individual controls his or her own destiny and must be able to distinguish between good and bad for him or her specifically. Individuals can achieve happiness and societies can achieve peace only through Nichiren's teachings (Metraux, History 26).
Toda Josei, the second president of Soka Gakkai, gave the organization its current character and direction. He is said to have reached enlightenment in prison, and he was to guide everyone to peace and prosperity (Metraux, History 34). He redefined Makiguchi's religious ideas and focused on the reformation of the human spirit (Metraux, History 23). In a world of bad karma (violence, greed, destruction), Soka Gakkai aims to lead humankind away from certain destruction and towards a peaceful world (Metraux, History 1).
Toda stressed not only the importance of education and understanding, but also the fundamental role of religious practice on the path the ultimate happiness. Presently, little reference is made to Makiguchi's value judgements. Instead, the emphasis in on the fact that individual salvation leads to universal happiness, and this salvation can be achieved through the daimoku and the Daigohonzon (Metraux, History 33). Daimoku refers the the chant, "Namu Mhoho Renge Kyo," which translates to "'I devote myself to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra'" (Metraux, History 6).
The Daigohonzon is the mandala that Nichiren composed in the tenth month of 1279 (Metraux, History 14), and is said to contain the Three Great Secret Laws. This symbolic object of worship is said to produce the salvation of humankind and was enshrined in Sho Hondo from 1972 to 1998(Metraux, History 14). As of April 1998, the sacred object is enshrined in the Hoanden building at Nichiren Shoshu's Head Temple at Taisekiji.
Soka Gakkai shares foundations with former "parent sect" Nichiren Shoshu in the teachings of Nichiren, a thirteenth century Buddhist monk. After all the reference to the teachings of Nichiren, here is a brief description of his major Buddhist concept upon which Soka Gakkai beliefs are based. Nichiren discovered the "ultimate truth" in the Lotus Sutra, which outlined two main points. All individuals are manifestations of Buddha nature, and he or she can achieve Buddhahood at any time (Metraux, History 8). The sutra embodies a human's only escape from the sufferings of this world.
Size of Group: Esimated at 8 million internationally at the time it was excommunicated from Nichiren Shoshu in 1992.

II. Contemporary Issues & Controversies

What led to such hostility and seperation? There are two sides to every story, and of course, Nichiren Shoshu has a different version of the events that surrounded the November 1992 excommunication of Soka Gakkai. According to the General Administrator of Nichiren Shoshu, Rev. Nichijin Fujimoto, Ikeda's problematic arrogance began with the 1972 completion of Shohondo. He documents Nichiren Shoshu's view of events that led to the split. One profound event in the series of accusations from Nichiren Shoshu is the "1977 Incidents" in which Ikeda is said to have seriously strayed from the "correct doctrines" of the Nichiren faith. He formally asked for forgiveness during a December 1977 service, and Soka Gakkai subsequently formally reaffirmed Nichiren Shoshu Doctrines. Despite efforts, this period marked only the beginning of frustrations and disputes between the two groups.

Such turbulence seemed to gain intensity and in 1990 Soka Gakkai launched formal complaints about Nichiren Shoshu's authoritarian abuse of power (Hurst 122). Around that same period the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood removed Soka Gakkai's Chairman, Ikeda Daisaku, from his position as a representative of the priesthood's lay groups (Astley 167). Soka Gakkai subsequently accused Nichiren Shoshu of spending the lay organizations money on expensive foreign cars and the like while not doing their job properly (Astley 168). Soka Gakkai saw themsleves as a vehicle for Nichiren Shoshu's teachings and focused on the ultimate goal of world wide dissemination (Astley 169).

Allegations flew in both directions, and in February 1991 rumors surfaced in the news about Nichiren Shoshu's plans to sever ties with the lay group (Hurst 122). Speculation concurs that President Ikeda and President Nikken of Nichiren Shoshu had a falling out over slanderous comments captured on tape. President Ikeda maintained that the taping was secretive and the comments taken out of context (Astley 169). Nichiren Shoshu officials also claim that Soka Gakkai failed to comply to three conditions for their incorporation.

In March 1991 Nichiren Shoshu sent letters to all overseas offices that announce that President Ikeda would no longer provide guidance. Members were now under the direct direction of local priests (Hurst 122). Also, from June 1991 Soka Gakkai members were no longer allowed in Sho Hondo. On November 8, 1991, Nichiren Shoshu urged the lay organization to disband. Though Soka Gakkai officials maintained that Nichiren Shoshu could not excommunicate the group based on sect regulations, on November 29, 1991, the priesthood officially excommunicated the organization (Hurst 124). The formal split did not relinquish hostilities. For example, in September 1993, Weekly Asahi headlines read, "Nichiren Shoshu Declares War On Soka Gakkai." In this instance, Rev. Fujimoto of Nichiren Shoshu labels Soka Gakkai a "political party that borrowed religious name." Soka Gakkai maintains its religious convictions. As recently as October 1, 1997, Nichiren Shoshu issued a letter to Soka Gakkai members that stated that individuals cannot be affiliated with both groups. They are urged to sever ties with Soka Gakkai and apply at a local Nichiren Shoshu temple. This stresses Nichiren Shoshu's separation from the "slanderous" Soka Gakkai.

Hostilities remain to be relinquished, and examples of hot tempers, law suits, and formal apologies in relation to such turbulence are still surface in Japan. Much speculation has surfaced about the survival of Nichiren Shoshu without the financial support of Soka Gakkai. Much remains to be seen from both groups as they have both lost formerly supportive counterparts.

The article of dispute that has earned international attention is Sho Hondo, Nichiren Shoshu's main temple. Funded mainly by Soka Gakkai donations, the priesthood of Nichiren Shoshu see the building as a symbol of a relationship that soured (Jordon, par. 10). President Nikken has vowed to destroy the building. With a roof inspired by a crane with expanded wings, this temple also includes a lotus fountain. Architect David Anthone, who regards Sho Hondo as "one of the finest representatives of postwar architecture in Japan," chairs the International Committee to Save Sho Hondo (ICSS). This world wide association was formed by a reputable group of architects who have rally to save the piece of architecture. According to one Nichiren Shoshu source (who will remain nameless), Shohondo is now merely a "skeleton" and is being demolished in order to build a new sanctuary.

III. Links to Soka Gakkai Web Sites

Soka Gakkai in Japan
This page is Soka Gakkai's official site from Japan and is available in both English and Japanese. The site includes sections on basic beliefs, news, headlines, education (Soka Gakkai institutions), publications, and links to various other related sights. This site provides links to all the international branches of Soka Gakkai.
http://www.sokagakkai.or.jp/

SGI USA
This page represents Soka Gakkai International in the United States. Included in this site are links to basic Buddhist practices, headlines, publications, how to get involved, and information about SGI-USA activities, relief activities, and their cultural department.
http://www.sgi-usa.org

Soka University of America
Soka University of America will open in Southern Calfornia in August 2001, anticipating an entering freshman class of 100. This web site offers pretty extensive information about the new university as well as information about Soka Gakkai in the U.S. http://www.soka.edu/homeav.html
Save Sho-Hondo
This page is dedicated to the architectural issues that surround recent conflicts between Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu. Maintained by a worldly group of architects called the International Committee to Save Sho-Hondo (ICSS), these individuals have allegedly launched a campaign to save the temple from destruction. All religious issues aside, these individuals remain adamant about the architectural genius of the structure. I put this link towards the top, because the pictures and commentary are enlightening and offer a secular, neutral view of current events.
http://www.save-shohondo.com

Soka Gakkai International- a personal view
This page is maintained privately and claims to "neither support nor approve by Soka Gakkai International organizations." Clearly in support of Soka Gakkai in recent disputes, this page does offer an intersting set of links to related sites (in the middle of the page).
http://members.aol.com/watchbuddh/sgi-link.html

Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai
This is a class page and information site from Fort-Collins Soka Gakkai International- USA. The site provides basic information- ideas, philosophies, reference materials, etc- in an extremely convinient format.
http://www.ezlink.com/~fc_sgi/

Soka Univeristy & Hokkeko
This site provides general information Soka University and Hokkeko, an lay group that remains affiliated with Nichiren Shoshu. Issues covered on this site include ideals of world wide peace, culture, education, and activities.
http://www.soka.ac.jp

Seikyo Newspaper Headlines
This English site provides articles from Soka Gakkai's Seikyo Newspaper. Articles cover current issues and concerns of the group as well as various other interest stories.
http://www.sokagakkai.or.jp/html3/news3/headlines3/headline_index3.html

Eighty SGI Links
This privately maintained site provides eighty links to official pages, unofficial pages, pages about Buddhist study, and "refutations" of Nichiren Shoshu allegations. These links provide invaluable insights into Soka Gakkai points of view.
http://members.aol.com/watchbuddh/link.htm
The Official Clearing House
This page is vehemently opposed to Soka Gakkai abd includes a rueful look at photographs capturing Ikeda and other members in compromising positions. This anti-cult page is dipped in anger, but is fully researched. As of March 1999, posted also are pictures of the demolition of Shohondo.
http://coyote.accessnv.com/tamonten/

IV. Bibliography

Astley, Trevor. 1992.
"A Matter of Principles, A Note on the Recent Conflict Between Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai." Japanese Religions. 17(2): 167-175.

Babbie, Earl T. 1966.
"The Third Civilization: An Examination of Soka Gakkai." Review of Religios Research. 7: 101-121.

Causton,Richard. 1988.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. London: Rider. 269-294.

Daton, James A. 1969.
Soka Gakkai: Builders of the Third Civilization: America and Japanese Members. Seattle: University of washington Press.

Ellwood, Robert S. 1974.
The Eagle and the Rising Sun: Americans and the New Religions of Japan. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.

Garringues, S. L. 1975.
"The Soka Gakkai Enshrining Ceremony: Ritual Change in a Japanese Buddhism Sect in America." Eastern Anthropologist. 28(2): 133-146.

Hurst, Jane. 1992.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism and Soka Gakkai in America, the Ethos of a New Religious Movement. New York, NY: Garland Publishing, Inc.

Ikeda, Daisaku. 1996.
A New Humanism, the University Adresses of Daisaku Ikeda. New York, NY: Weatherhill, Inc.

Jordan, Mary. 1998.
"A Major Eruption at the Foot of Fuji." Washington Post. 14 June: A1+.

Lewis, James R. 2000.
"Sect Bashing in the Guise of Scholarship: A Critical Appraisal of Select Studies of Soka Gakkai" Marburg Journal of Religion. 5:1.

Metraux, Daniel A. 1992.
"The Dispute Between the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood: A Lay Revolution Against a Conservative Clergy." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 19(4): 325-336.

Metraux, Daniel A. 1988.
The History and Theology of Soka Gakkai. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press.

Morgan, Peggy. 1987.
"Methods and Aims of Evangelization and Conversion to Buddhism, with Particular Reference to Nichiren Shoshu Soka Gakkai." The New Evangelists: Recruitment Methods of New Religious Movements. London: Ethnographica.

Parks, Yoko Yamamoto. 1982.
"Organizational Development and Cultural Contact: A Case Study of Soka Gakkai in America." Journal of Ethnic Studies. 10(1): 1-16.

Shupe, Anson. 1993.
"Soka Gakkai and the Slippery Slope from Militancy to Accomodation."
Religion and Society in Modern Japan. Mark R. Mullins, Shimazono Susumu, & Paul Swanson, Eds. Berkeley, CA: Asian Humanities Press. 231-238.

Snow, David A. 1987.
"Organization, Ideology, and Mobilization: The Case of Nichiren Shoshu of America." in David G. Bromley and Phillip E. Hammond (eds.). The Future of New Religious Movements. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.

Soka Gakkai. 1960.
The Sokagakkai. Tokyo: The Seikyo Press.

White, James W. 1970.
The Sokagakkai and Mass Society. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

Created by Jackie Fowler
For Sociology 497, Spring 1999
Last modified: 10/14/00