Buddhism and what we understand to be Buddhism

A post over on the other side of the fence gave me some inspiration. The following quote is cited to illustrate the difference between "real" Buddhism and what we understand to be Buddhism (which I find extremely odd, given that there are at least as many definitions of the subject as there are subscribers to r/sgiwhistleblowers). So, here is the quote—drumroll—from none other than... Ikeda!

“Faith and daily life, faith and work - these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate - that faith is faith, and work is work - is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put 100% of our energy into our job and 100% into our faith. too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of a victory amid realities of society and in our own daily lives.”

Buddhism Day by Day, p. 253

My thoughts about that:

• I deny any professional competence to anyone who has never actually worked. And when he *did* work, it was a failure. (Mr. Ikeda)

• Here at r/sgiwhistleblowers, you find people who have a perspective on life before, during, and after the SG … you folks over there lack that one very perspective.

• Do you realise how people talk about you when they aren't part of the SG? Your professional life is a perfect example!!! You’re in the breakroom telling colleagues about your "Buddhist" activities. Then you probably go home, and at the next meeting, you talk about a "victory" you’ve achieved. The problem is—you weren't there when you turned your backs on those colleagues. When they said things like "weirdo," "freak," or "don't even ask."

• You weren't there to see the reactions when someone admits to having been part of this cult themselves.

• You lack the perspective of those who view you completely objectively—people who aren't your friends and don't want to be, who never accept an invitation to a meeting...

• Do you realise that, professionally speaking, you have a hell of a lot of "low performers"? Why is that?

• Life in the SG might be like "Hello Kitty"… but as so often happens in life, paths cross; people talk about you guys (not me), mention you guys (not me)—and when that’s done by people who were never in the SG… do you have any idea how shitty it feels to hear that? Knowing I once was part of that?

And now comes the wonderful part. Today, I am in a position to hear how people talk about you—without making it clear that I was once part of the group. This position leads to many insights.