Ikeda: "In Buddhism, we either win or lose—there is no middle ground." But what of the Middle Way??

That's a very strange concept to consider Buddhism as win or lose.

I know, right?? Yet here it is:

Nichiren: "Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat, while secular authority is based on the principle of reward and punishment. For this reason, a Buddha is looked up to as the Hero of the World..." - from the writing "The Hero of the World" http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/102

First Soka Gakkai President Makiguchi: "The harder we fight and the stronger we become, the more swiftly actual proof of victory in our Buddhist practice appears." http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/resources/docs/spiritual_independence.pdf

Second Soka Gakkai President Toda: " “Those of you who have problems or sufferings, pray earnestly! Buddhism is a deadly serious win-or-lose struggle. If you should chant with such an earnest attitude and still have no solution forthcoming, then I will give you my life!” - http://www.sgiquarterly.org/assets/files/pdf/1401_75.pdf

(Yeah - fat chance!)

Third Soka Gakkai/SGI President Ikeda: "Buddhism concerns itself with winning. When we battle a powerful enemy, either we will triumph or we will be defeated--there is no middle ground. Battling against life's negative functions is an integral part of Buddhism. It is through victory in this struggle that we become Buddhas." http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/win-or-lose.html

(Who does he think he is, Charlie Sheen??)

Ikeda: "In Buddhism, we either win or lose—there is no middle ground." http://www.sgi-usa.org/encouragement/index.php?m=5&d=26

But...but...what of the Middle Way??

"Win or lose" is absolutely integral to the SGI - their introductory booklet is titled, "The Winning Life", in fact! There's a distinctly Japanese martial/military feel to it. There's a constant theme of "struggle" and "fighting" and "winning" and "victory".

If those concepts appeal to you, then perhaps you would find Nichiren Buddhism to be a good fit. If, on the other hand, you gravitate more to the idea of accepting reality as it is, you might be happier with a different flavor of Buddhism. Source