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
Who is Amitābha? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 105 - Who is Amitabha? What are some stories about him? How ought we understand him?Resources: Karashima, Seishi (2009), JSTOR 24049429 On Amitābha, Amitāyu(s), Sukhāvatī and the Amitābhavyūh…
Buddhish 19 - Way of The Passive Fist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:16
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish - Episode 19 - Way of The Passive Fist Join us as we discuss the video game, Way of The Passive Fist! https://store.steampowered.com/app/625680/Way_of_the_Passive_Fist/ Do you have a questio…
What is the relationship between Buddhism and martial arts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:45
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 104 - What is the relationship between Buddhism and martial arts? What are some Buddhist influenced martial arts and their histories? How does the practice of martial arts reconcile with the…
What is a Dalai Lama? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:50
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 103 - What is a Dalai Lama? What is the meaning and significance of that position? Who is the Dalai Lama today? Resources: Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. Jr., eds. (2014). Princeton Dic…
What is bodhicitta in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:36
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 102 - What is bodhicitta in Buddhism? Isnt it technically a desire? How does one arouse bodhicitta? Resources: Bodhisattvabhumi (The Bodhisattva Levels); Śāntideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattv…
Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:50
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 2 Hello and welcome to the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed…
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:18
Bright on Buddhism - Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 4 Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 2 of DT Suzuki's translation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra! Resources: Lindtner, Christian (1992). The Lankavatarasutra in Early…
Buddhish 18 - 2024 Wrap Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:23
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish - Episode 18 - 2024 Wrap Up Join us as we record together in person for the first time in the show's history to discuss 2024 and as we look ahead to 2025! Do you have a question about Buddhi…
What is the history of the swastika in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:25
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 101 - What is the history of the swastika? What does it mean? Why and how was it taken up by hate groups? Resources: Adrian Snodgrass (1992). The Symbolism of the Stupa. Motilal Banarsidass.…
Revisit - Who is the Buddha? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 100 - Revisit - Who is the Buddha? Is the Buddha a god? Is there more than one Buddha? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religi…