Is Soka Gakkai International a cult?

Answer 1

i do have respect for all religions but my personal experience of sokka gakkai is that they are pushy and obnoxious. i do not believe or feel comfortable with a hard sell when it comes to anything. when it comes to religion, i think it should be a matter of attraction and not coercion. just ask yourself, who ever heard of buddhists that want to force you to become buddhists? you would think that they, more than anyone, would be more easy going.

sokka gakkai members please do not flame me, of course there are people who find that it transforms their lives.

my father belonged to this organization and they made my life hell from a young age because i would not join. they tried very hard. i think it is one of the main reasons that i never got to know or be friends with my father while he was alive. he died as a member and even at his funeral, people openly tried to sell me on chanting.

do what seems right for you but remember it is the principles and the practice that is what counts, humans have human nature and they will always disappoint you in the end because we are human. but don't let anyone bully you past your comfort zone. no one else can walk in your footsteps and if you believe in buddhism no one else can create or reap the consequences of your karma except yourself.

Answer 2

I would stick with the temple.