What is Sōka Gakkai?

What is Sōka Gakkai?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight August 4, 2023 Duration: 28:26

Bright on Buddhism Episode 66 - What is Sōka Gakkai? What is their history? What are some of their teachings?

References: Sōka Gakkai in America: Accommodation and Conversion By Phillip E. Hammond and David W. Machacek. London: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-829389-5; "The Sōka Gakkai: Buddhism and the Creation of a Harmonious and Peaceful Society" by Daniel A. Metraux in Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia. Christopher S. Queen and Sallie B. King, eds. SUNY Press, 1996.; The New Believers: A survey of sects, cults and alternative religions. David V Barrett. Octopus Publishing Group, 2003; The Lotus and the Maple Leaf: The Sōka Gakkai in Canada by Daniel A. Metraux (University Press of America, 1996); Fundamentals of Buddhism (second edition) by Yasuji Kirimura (Nichiren Shōshū International Center [now SGI], 1984). ISBN 4-88872-016-9; Sōka Gakkai kaibō ("Dissecting Sōka Gakkai") by the editors of Aera (Asahi Shimbun, 2000). ISBN 4-02-261286-X (Japanese); A Public Betrayed: An Inside Look at Japanese Media Atrocities and Their Warnings to the West. Adam Gamble & Takesato Watanabe. Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2004. ISBN 0-89526-046-8; (SERA) Southeast Review of Asian Studies 29 (2007). "Religion, Politics, and Constitutional Reform in Japan," by Daniel Metraux, 157–72.; Westward Dharma: Buddhism beyond Asia. Charles S. Prebish and Martin Baumann, eds. 2002.; Igami, Minobu. 1995. Tonari no Sōka Gakkai [The Sōka Gakkai Next Door], Tokyo: Takarajima.; Proselytizing and the Limits of Religious Pluralism in Contemporary Asia. By Juliana Finucane, R. Michael Feener, pages 103 122.; Neo Yeow Ann Aaron "Studying Soka: Buddhist Conversionn And Religious Change In Singapore" (PDF).; Cooke, Gerald. “Traditional Buddhist Sects and Modernization in Japan.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 1, no. 4 (1974): 267–330. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30234421.; Colpe, Carsten. “Syncretism and Secularization: Complementary and Antithetical Trends in New Religious Movements?” History of Religions 17, no. 2 (1977): 158–76. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1062359.; Helton, William. “Political Prospects of Soka Gakkai.” Pacific Affairs 38, no. 3/4 (1965): 231–44. https://doi.org/10.2307/2754029.; McLaughlin, Levi. “Did Aum Change Everything? What Soka Gakkai Before, During, and After the Aum Shinrikyō Affair Tells Us About the Persistent ‘Otherness’ of New Religions in Japan.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 39, no. 1 (2012): 51–75. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41495889.; McLaughlin, Levi. “From Intellectual Collective to Religion: A History of Soka Gakkai.” In Soka Gakkai’s Human Revolution: The Rise of a Mimetic Nation in Modern Japan, 35–67. University of Hawai’i Press, 2019. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvvn1w4.6.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Lotus Sutra Chapter 3 - Parable of The Burning House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:46
Chapter 3 of The Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 3 of the Burton Watson translation of The Lotus Sutra Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York: Col…
Buddhish Episode 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:24
Bright On Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 1 Hello and welcome to a new kind of episode of Bright on Buddhism called "Buddhish"! These episodes are unscripted, untimed, and unedited. In them, your hosts Nick and Paradox just…
2022 Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:48
Bright on Buddhism 2022 Preview Episode Join us in 2022 for some great content, including but not limited to: Guest Appearances! More Buddhish episodes! More sutra episodes! Buddhist holiday episodes A new Discord commun…
What is Tiantai/Tendai? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
Bright on Buddhism Episode 15 - What is Tiantai/Tendai? How is it different from other schools of Buddhism? How does it influence other schools of Buddhism? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donal…
What is the relationship between Buddhism and science? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
Bright on Buddhism Episode 14 - What is the relationship between Buddhism and science? Do science and Buddhism indeed believe the same things? Does science validate or reinforce Buddhism, or vice versa? Resources: Kevin…
What is the Buddhist perspective on mental health? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:19
Bright on Buddhism Episode 13 - What is the Buddhist perspective on mental health? What does Buddhist scripture say about it? How does that perspective change over time? Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Don…
What is a Bodhisattva? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:57
Bright on Buddhism Episode 12 - What is a Bodhisattva? What are the different meanings of this word? How have those meanings changed over time? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Nort…
What about gender in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:40
Bright on Buddhism Episode 11 - How does gender function in Buddhism? What is the doctrinal basis for the status of women in Buddhism? How does this change over time? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Gu…
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - The First Sermon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - Join us as we read and discuss a critically important text in the Buddhist tradition: the First Sermon Bhikku Bodhi Translation: https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi Ñanamoli Thera Tran…
Mahasatipatthana Sutta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:15
Mahasatipatthana Sutta - Join us as we read and discuss a critically important text in the Early Buddhist tradition: the Mahasatipatthana Sutta! Resources: Bhikku Sujato, English Trans.: https://suttacentral.net/dn22/en/…