Gakkai is just an organization, and just like every other, it also has its base in both moral and immoral grounds. Organization is the rope hanging over the valley of civilization, giving you the hope that since it is elevated above the chaotic world, it might be better to hang onto it rather than following the randomness of the chaos in the valley. But one has to realize this that it is not so. Organizations are made by the same people who are down there. It is no different, just more harmonized. To expect it to be an abode of blissful souls is just wishful utopian thinking. You'll be bitterly disappointed. I've been in Gakkai since forever, from the time I became concious of myself and this world, I have been in touch with Gakkai. My father now has been practicing for 25 years, exactly what my age is. There have been many changes that I have witnessed. He has become calmer as the years went by, but to attribute it to Gakkai would be a misleading statement, it was more so because of lack of energy and opportunities in his life, which made him more and more composed, it would be better to say that he stopped fighting his circumstances and accepted whatever life threw at him with a despondent attitude. And people can't give up their practice of Gakkai out of fear, since they've been dependent on it for so long that now they don't know how to survive without it, they dare not go back into chaos.
Now I also believe being in Gakkai is good. Why so? Simply because if you're capable of critical thinking, have a larger goal in life and know how to stay afloat, not get bothered by your expectations and results, just stay in for a good fight, being anywhere is good. When you are that upbeat person, whom nothing can deter because he doesn't allow anything or anyone to affect his fighting spirit, he can live anywhere and eventually become dominant in that atmosphere. Well f you've a place where there are people who are nice, or pretending to be nice, you've fewer things to worry about. But if you get too dependent or attached to that atmosphere, you'll again be disappointed.
For me Gakkai is like a bar, you don't have to live there, but timely rationed visits will quench your thirsty mind.
Many people argue that Gakkai is a 'cult'. It is a person-centric organization, full of weak people who are gullible, it tames people into mindless practitioners. Then tell me this, isn't that happening with everything and everywhere. People working in companies, aren't they being forced to work for capitalist opportunists. There they work because they get repaid in money. They know the products and corporations they're working for, are deceiving masses, still they continue. Similarly, in religious organizations, one is repaid in spiritual peace of mind and to add to your relief, Gakkai has no ill-will at its core, but true humanistic values. Of course there is a frenzy and fanatical approach towards the momentum, but, I say, be concious of what you're getting into. Chant wholeheartedly, attend meetings and live a value creating life. But most of all, if you're truly concerned for yourself, be completely honest, to yourself and to others. Don't hold grudges, speak it out, you'll be only helping people by being honest, that way you always keep your exits clear. Becoming a mindless follower is your problem, it's not organization that tricked you, you were simply too ignorant to see and understand the workings of the world.
#26/8/19
