Sgi

[Ave]

I'm seeking SGI members in Pattaya and also SGI members in Thailand to chat with. anybody there?

[chownah]

what's sgi?

[luckyluke]

what's sgi?

Soka Gakkai International?

[sabaijai]

what's sgi?

The Economist

New Religious Movements

Rick Ross website

Manatee Press

[Ave]

what's sgi?

Soka Gakkai International: a buddhist association that promotes peace and education. The buddhism practiced by SGI members belongs to a branch of the Mahayana, to be precise, it's the buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. To find out more check www.sgi.org.

[ThePyawkt]

Hi!

I am an SGI member from California, in the USA. I have been living and working in Bangkok for 2 years, and am finding it hard to connect with other members... the language barier is the biggest hurdle.

I have been practicing for 5 years and was YMD leader for the Davis District of the Sacramento Area, in California for 2 years. I have really missed going to SGI activities and Tozos since moving to Thailand. My family is Buddhist, but practices the common "Thai" version, so that has been a little bit limiting. I am really committed to getting involved and very active again with the SGI, and am hoping to find and make connections with the district in my area.

I was very excited to see your post, and was wanting to connect and chat, and was wondering if you know. Thanks!

~Rob

[chutai]

Soka Gakkai has many detractors and many more (including academic studies) who have seriously studied SGI and came to a completey different conclusion than those who wish to use means other than Dharma to slander an organisation that does much good and has noble ambitions.

I'm something of a lapsed member myself, but would no more criticise them than I would point out the weaknesses in any other Buddhist tradition. Buddhism is less inclined to sling mud at others than to honestly examine ones own intententions.

The respected Buddhist magazine Tricycle printed a more balanced view:

http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/strand.htm *

*Apologies, this link doesn't appear to work. But I'll post a better one when I find it.

Edited June 26, 2007 by chutai

[camerata]

http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/strand.html seems to work OK. The full Tricycle article is at http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/TRICYLE.pdf

[chutai]

http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/strand.html seems to work OK. The full Tricycle article is at http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/TRICYLE.pdf

You sir, are a true gent

http://www.gakkaionline.net/soka/TRICYLE.pdf

Was the exact article that I had in mind.

[happy7]

Hi Ave & Rob

I'm also an SGI member from Australia. I am now in Chiang Mai, but have been living in Bangkok with my aunts for a while. They are also SGI members, so I have been quite fortunate. Don't know anyone in Pattaya unfortunately.

Are you in Thailand longterm, Ave?

Interesting article from Tricycle magazine too. Thanks Chutai & camerata for the article.

AY

[sabaijai]

The Tricycle article is not a view about SGI in general, but rather a report on racial diversity in SGI-USA.

Of course globally speaking, most Buddhists are non-white.

[Ave]

Hi Rob,

I 've just come across your reply. For some strange reason my reply tracker settings seem to have been disabled.

Nice to receive a friendly message!

I was having the same problem as you but I finally managed to connect to the Rainbow group in Bangkok which is English speaking but also has a Japanese and a Thai section.

I have taken charge to start new meetings in Pattaya in September so I'm getting to do some proper work after such a long period of social inactivity.

Please send me an email instead - see my profile. I will send you more details.

Thank you

Eva

I hope my reply won't be edited nor deleted..

Hi!

I am an SGI member from California, in the USA. I have been living and working in Bangkok for 2 years, and am finding it hard to connect with other members... the language barier is the biggest hurdle.

I have been practicing for 5 years and was YMD leader for the Davis District of the Sacramento Area, in California for 2 years. I have really missed going to SGI activities and Tozos since moving to Thailand. My family is Buddhist, but practices the common "Thai" version, so that has been a little bit limiting. I am really committed to getting involved and very active again with the SGI, and am hoping to find and make connections with the district in my area.

I was very excited to see your post, and was wanting to connect and chat, and was wondering if you know. Thanks!

~Rob

[Ave]

Hello AY,

I've been living in Thailand since 2003 and I'm here to stay for an indefinite period of time.

After searching for SGI books and people to chant with I've recently found the Rainbow group in Wittayu Road. Is it the same place where you go for the monthly meetings?

In Pattaya there will be a group of us starting new monthly meetings in English as from September. You are welcome to join us if you happen to come this way. You can contact me by email.

Cheers

Hi Ave & Rob

I'm also an SGI member from Australia. I am now in Chiang Mai, but have been living in Bangkok with my aunts for a while. They are also SGI members, so I have been quite fortunate. Don't know anyone in Pattaya unfortunately.

Are you in Thailand longterm, Ave?

Interesting article from Tricycle magazine too. Thanks Chutai & camerata for the article.

AY

[ade100]

Hi,

I am an SGI member. I live half in Singapore and half in Phuket. Officially I am a member in Singapore which is where I have my Gohonzon. I have been to a few meetings in Phuket, but language is an issue. I heard of some Rainbow groups in BKK but don't know of any in Phuket unfortunately.

Ade

[seonai]

BANGKOK

SOKA GAKKAI THAILAND

Group size: 200

Contact person: Patoomporn Limrossukon

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sgt.or.th

[chutai]

BANGKOK

SOKA GAKKAI THAILAND

Group size: 200

Contact person: Patoomporn Limrossukon

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sgt.or.th

There's a special chapter for foreigers living and visiting Thailand called the Rainbow Group, who meet monthly at the SGT Centre on Wittayoo Road, Bangkok. They have a discussion meeting for members and those interested this coming Saturday afternoon , 9th December. If anyone wishes a contact number in Thailand for further information then please feel free to PM me. But before Saturday afternoon (UK time) for details of the meeting specifically, as I'm flying out to the LOS myself on the same date. Otherwise, I'll respond to any other enquiries as when I'm able to next week.

Post Script

With the greatest of respect.

The information given above is incorrect. The size of SGT, as of the last time I enquired, was some 15,000 members. This is born out by them having three very large centres in Bangkok and others elsewhere. I went to an SGT special meeting on Chinese New Year two years ago , which was attended by around 600 Bangkok based members at only Wittayoo. I would estimate that SGT must have more members than the 200 stated in Phet'buri, Cha-Am and Hua Hin districts alone.

Edited December 6, 2007 by chutai

[Ave]

BANGKOK

SOKA GAKKAI THAILAND

Group size: 200

Contact person: Patoomporn Limrossukon

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sgt.or.th

There's a special chapter for foreigers living and visiting Thailand called the Rainbow Group, who meet monthly at the SGT Centre on Wittayoo Road, Bangkok. They have a discussion meeting for members and those interested this coming Saturday afternoon , 9th December. If anyone wishes a contact number in Thailand for further information then please feel free to PM me. But before Saturday afternoon (UK time) for details of the meeting specifically, as I'm flying out to the LOS myself on the same date. Otherwise, I'll respond to any other enquiries as when I'm able to next week.

Post Script

With the greatest of respect.

The information given above is incorrect. The size of SGT, as of the last time I enquired, was some 15,000 members. This is born out by them having three very large centres in Bangkok and others elsewhere. I went to an SGT special meeting on Chinese New Year two years ago , which was attended by around 600 Bangkok based members at only Wittayoo. I would estimate that SGT must have more members than the 200 stated in Phet'buri, Cha-Am and Hua Hin districts alone.

Thanks everyone. I have now been going to most meetings at the Wittayu Centre in Lumphini for a while now. Very interesting and dynamic. My life has improved considerably since. I'm creating value in every corner of my life.

There are also monthy meetings in Pattaya now. Anyone interested in these and the meetings in Bangkok can PM me at any time.

Thank you!

[dd369]

I am YMD from Malaysia, will frequenly visit to Phuket and bangkok for meetings. Where can I find members there?

[Ave]

Hi dd369,

I don't have any information about meetings in Phuket but you can get in touch with international members in Bangkok quite easily.

The Rainbow group holds planning and discussion meetings once a month at the SGT Witthayu centre in Lumphini, just opposite Lumphini Park. If you If you PM me your email address I can forward to you the next correspondence I receive about the next meetings in April and I'll give you the contacts you need for further information. The first one should be around mid April on a Saturday at 11 o'clock. Unfortunately I won't be in Thailand at that time. It would have been nice to guide you there and introduce you to everyone. If you are able to stick around for longer I might be able to do so in May.

I look forward to hearing from you

Ave

[Noriko]

Hi dd369,

I don't have any information about meetings in Phuket but you can get in touch with international members in Bangkok quite easily.

The Rainbow group holds planning and discussion meetings once a month at the SGT Witthayu centre in Lumphini, just opposite Lumphini Park. If you If you PM me your email address I can forward to you the next correspondence I receive about the next meetings in April and I'll give you the contacts you need for further information. The first one should be around mid April on a Saturday at 11 o'clock. Unfortunately I won't be in Thailand at that time. It would have been nice to guide you there and introduce you to everyone. If you are able to stick around for longer I might be able to do so in May.

I look forward to hearing from you

Ave

Hi, I am a member from Japan. I started this practice in Australia and now support English speaking meetings as well as local activities.

Im going to Thailand in the mid august so would like to take this opportunity to attend meetings in BKK and see SGI members. But I dont know any members in Bkk so could you please give any info about SGI Thai activities i can attend? Many thanks

Look forward to hearing from you.

[rockyysdt]

what's sgi?

Soka Gakkai International: a buddhist association that promotes peace and education. The buddhism practiced by SGI members belongs to a branch of the Mahayana, to be precise, it's the buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. To find out more check www.sgi.org.

Hi.

I had a bit of a look at their site.

Apart from promoting good things around the world, the site doesn't seem to describe their meditative practice.

In a nutshell what do they practice to achieve growth and enlightenment?

with thanks.

R

[mysticella]

Greetings,

I am a member in SGI-USA and I'm am working with a group of 9 people (6 high school students and 3 adults) who will be visiting Thailand August 20th-September 2nd.

Tentatively, we are looking at possibly visiting Bangkok, Lop Buri (Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu), Mae Sot (Mae La refugee camp), Chaiyaphum (tulip festival), and Ko Chang (or other tourist beach location).

In one of the postings, it was mentioned that there is a special chapter for foreigers living and visiting Thailand called the Rainbow Group, who meet monthly at the SGT Centre on Wittayoo Road, Bangkok. I would like to know how I can contact them and get more information. Our group would like to meet and/or attend an activity during our visit.

We also hope to stay in Thai family homestays/ hostels and meet with local high school youth. If you know of any places we could stay or youth groups with whom we could meet, please let me know. Thanks!

[dd369]

Hi all, starting next month, I'll be staying in Bangkok for months or maybe for year.

any member in Bangkok?

[Ave]

what's sgi?

Soka Gakkai International: a buddhist association that promotes peace and education. The buddhism practiced by SGI members belongs to a branch of the Mahayana, to be precise, it's the buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. To find out more check www.sgi.org.

Hi.

I had a bit of a look at their site.

Apart from promoting good things around the world, the site doesn't seem to describe their meditative practice.

In a nutshell what do they practice to achieve growth and enlightenment?

with thanks.

R

Hi, sorry for not replying to your message sooner.

Good question!

I can immediately say that I found out what this Buddhism entails exactly by practicing it. It's a very concrete and real kind of Buddhism and everyone can do it. It takes dedicated practice, study and courageous action to make things work.

We chant NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO to our heart's content. The best way to find out if it works is by trying it out yourself. The experience varies depending on the person and their determination to achieve true happiness.

Cheerio

[Ave]

Talking of which, the next English spoken Soka Gakkai meetings in Bangkok and Pattaya are scheduled as follows:

Bangkok - Witthayu centre in Lumphini - Saturday 8 November 10.30/11.00 am to 12.30 pm

Pattaya - Third Road soi 5 - Sunday 9 November 3 to 4.30 pm

Bankok - Witthayu centre in Lumphini - Saturday 15 November same time as previous Saturday

Subject of study and discussion can be found at this link

http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=6

[chutai]

Apart from promoting good things around the world, the site doesn't seem to describe their meditative practice.

Hi, I'm and SGI member for 14 years. There is no meditative practice such in our practice but he chanting of the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

The reason being that within the one essential phrase contains all other teachings,practices and precepts taught by Shakyamuni Buddha previous to the Lotus Sutra.

In a nutshell what do they practice to achieve growth and enlightenment?

Enlightenment isn't the same as perhaps you understand have previously understood it as being a Nirvana state in which all desires are extinguished but rather that, as Nichiren Daishonin taught, earthly desires lead to enlightenment, insomuch it's a process by which even we ordinary people living in the midst of our deluded impulses and earthly desires can manifest our highest wisdom - the revealing of our true Buddha nature.

Growth is achieved in overcoming the so-called lesser self by the three central tenants of Faith, Practice and Study, thus transcending our lower-self which is attached to desires and tormented by deluded impulses. It is a process of training and transforming our lives to be able to manifest our greater self, to bring forth our Buddha-wisdom and the compassionate capacity to realise happiness for ourselves, our environment and other people. We call this the oneness of self and the environment, which encapsulates all phenomena.

I hope that I haven't made it all sound too complex and that I've gone at least some way in answering your questions.I think the best thing that I can do is to give you a link (below) to an interview with SGI President, Daisaku Ikeda from Tricycle Buddhist magazine in which these topics are discussed further. However, I 'd be happy to try and answer further anything that you feel needs further elucidation.

Best wishes.

http://www.tricycle.com/interview/faith-re...tion?page=0%2C0

[Ave]

Talking of which, the next English spoken Soka Gakkai meetings in Bangkok and Pattaya are scheduled as follows:

Bangkok - Witthayu centre in Lumphini - Saturday 8 November 10.30/11.00 am to 12.30 pm

Pattaya - Third Road soi 5 - Sunday 9 November 3 to 4.30 pm

Bankok - Witthayu centre in Lumphini - Saturday 15 November same time as previous Saturday

Subject of study and discussion can be found at this link

http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=6

A change has occurred in the schedule:

the meeting in Pattaya is now taking place on Sunday 17th November following the discussion meeting in Bangkok.

[pharaoh77]

hi there

i'm writing on behalf of my girlfriend who is currently traveling in the south and is looking for sgi members (foreigners or thai) to chant. are there any regular meetings in Krabi, Phuket? how could she get in touch with them? Thankd for your help!

PS: Eva, that was me who sent you a message just a few minutes ago. just thought i'd post as well....

nicholas

[chutai]

hi there

i'm writing on behalf of my girlfriend who is currently traveling in the south and is looking for sgi members (foreigners or thai) to chant. are there any regular meetings in Krabi, Phuket? how could she get in touch with them? Thankd for your help!

PS: Eva, that was me who sent you a message just a few minutes ago. just thought i'd post as well....

nicholas

There is SGT in Phuket - I'm not sure about a group for foreigners though. If you care to PM me I'll give you an e-mail address for someone who can provide information about Phuket. As far as Krabi is concerned. I did know one member there from England although I think that he returned home. But that was about four years ago now and I seem to remember him telling me that he practiced alone but there were some Thai members there

[pharaoh77]

thanks for this info, i just sent u a message, nicholas