This is the erotic bronze relief that Daisaku Ikeda had made of himself to be placed at the main altar in the head temple. Ikeda took advantage of the fact that SGI was, at that time, constructing the main building and had the thing installed in front of the most sacred Object of Worship in Nichiren Shoshu. One writer reported that Ikeda wanted to demonstrate his authorrity over the Dai-Gohonzon and the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood. Ikeda stated that his "soul was at Taisekiji." This grotesque, arrogant idea is charactoristic of a man of strong narcissism. Polly Toynbee, grand-daughter of Arnold Toynbee and BBC journalist wrote:
"The evening came when we were at
last to meet him. The great black limousine pulled into the palatial headquarters.
The doorway was flood-lit with camera lights, and there stood Mr and Mrs.
Ikeda, surrounded by bowing aides and followers. Dazed and dazzled by this
unexpected reception committee, we were lead up to him to shake the small,
plump hand. There he stood a short, round man with slicked down hair, wearing
a sharp Western suit. Camera bulbs flashed, movie cameras closed in, and
we were carried away with the throng, past corridors of bowing girls dressed
in white to an enormous room."
The Value of a Grandfather Figure
By: Ms. Polly Toynbee, Manchester
Guardian, Sat. May 19, 1984
SGI members are constantly bombarded with
informercials and images of Daisaku Ikeda's public relation campaigns designed
to make him look important. The man that SGI members have called the "Living
Buddha" indulges himself in awards, medals and honours.
"All These Honors"
"The honorary doctorates and professorships
I have recieved
from academic institutions around
the world now total 55. I have
been advised of the bestowal of
several more such honors in the
near future, which will bring the
number to well over 60...
I hope you will be proud of this.
I have absolutely no doubt
that this good fortune and benefit
flows directly to you and
your descendants."
Daisaku Ikeda
Oct 23 1998 World Tribune
The most important thing in Nichiren Daishonin's
Buddhism is the DaiGohonzon, the Gosho, and The Three Treasures.
Daisaku Ikeda has led his followers away from those concepts and has placed
a higher importance on worldly honors through manipulation of the United
Nations, and "humanistic" good deeds.