Soka Gakkai in America: Accommodation and ConversionThis is the first-ever in-depth study of the Soka Gakkai Buddhists in the United States of America (SGI-USA). Drawing on unprecedented access to the organization through surveys and interviews, it provides a definitive and revealing picture of one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. The authors shed light on contemporary American society and show how many members of SGI-USA are drawn from a growing `transmodern' subculture in America. In addition the book traces the development of the organization in the USA, examining how it adapted to the peculiar circumstances of America's cultural life and showing how SGI-USA became a very American phenomenon. |
From inside the book
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Page 72
... lives , and ( 2 ) in the ways that members interpret the apparent disparity between the goals for which they chant and the actual results . The Meaning of Chanting The most dramatic difference in the way respondents described what the ...
... lives , and ( 2 ) in the ways that members interpret the apparent disparity between the goals for which they chant and the actual results . The Meaning of Chanting The most dramatic difference in the way respondents described what the ...
Page 74
... lives . Chanting , for these mem- bers , helped them to gain clarity about what actions they could take to make changes in their lives . The drop - outs , conversely , spoke of chanting as if it were supposed to work independently of ...
... lives . Chanting , for these mem- bers , helped them to gain clarity about what actions they could take to make changes in their lives . The drop - outs , conversely , spoke of chanting as if it were supposed to work independently of ...
Page 80
... lives beyond our own self - centered , egotistical aspect of our lives . We're able to grow . Our Buddha nature — our Buddha condition , our life , you could say— expands . Wavering members When I sense that something is not the way I ...
... lives beyond our own self - centered , egotistical aspect of our lives . We're able to grow . Our Buddha nature — our Buddha condition , our life , you could say— expands . Wavering members When I sense that something is not the way I ...
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Soka Gakkai History and Philosophy | 13 |
The Membership of SGIUSA | 36 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
achieved active agree already alternative American public appear asked associated become believe benefits Buddhism chanting Chapter commitment compared converts core costs culture currently described dropped efforts encounter environment expect experience fact friends goal going growth human immigrants important included indicate individual interest involvement Japan Japanese joining leaders less levels lives marginal means meetings membership movement nature Nichiren Nichiren Shoshu Note organization orientation pattern percent positive possible practice Press priesthood probably promote Protestant question questionnaire rates rational choice theory reason recruitment relationships relatively reli religion religious remain reported represents requires respondents rewards sample SGI members SGI-USA members social society Soka Gakkai members spiritual subscription success suggests survey Table things tion traditional transmodern understanding United University values week world peace