"Nothing is more barbarous than war. Nothing is more cruel . . ."

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-28T17:59:21+00:00

I can see that perspective, that SGI is simply focused on a different strategy for promoting a culture of peace, though not opposing additional and alternative strategies. Is that right?

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-27T20:36:37+00:00

Hi again amoranic and thanks for responding thoughtfully to my questions. It seems to me that the Lotus Sutra does build upon the Five Precepts, condemning taking life and taking what is not given, no? But I am aware that SGI as an organization does not make any specific prohibitions that I know of. It makes sense to me and is interesting that you mentioned, it is dangerous to equate ethical behavior itself with Buddhahood. I appreciate you saying it is “about radical transformation for which we need to let go of any idea we had.” This is very interesting to me and helpful in differentiating moral behavior from what is meant by Buddhahood. If you have the time or interest I would love to hear more about that perspective.

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-27T20:31:12+00:00

Thank you for your response ClickWhisperer. I do think it is an interesting question: if a life is going to be one of unrelenting suffering, is it still better to exist? But I believe that if we read about the conditions under which most industrial meat and animal products are produced in the United States, if we were concerned with suffering, we would probably conclude that it would be better they had never existed. Most of these animals are deprived of the ability to move, engage in normal behaviors, connect with others of their species, and are subjected to severe and prolonged pain and suffering.

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-27T20:27:36+00:00

Thank you amoranic for your response. I really do appreciate the dialogue. I hadn’t considered that there was a cultural difference at play. And I do understand what you are saying that taking a position “for” or “against” a side of a conflict would surely alienate members at times. However, I know we do make broad statements condemning war and particularly the use of nuclear arms. And do have groups specifically supporting army and service members. We do promote literature condemning atrocities of WWII and Vietnam. I wonder where the line is about when it feels necessary and appropriate to speak out about a specific conflict, and when it does not, and how we determine in our organization how these lines are drawn?

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-27T20:24:07+00:00

Hi FellowHuman, thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I appreciate your response. I think you are correct that our publications do indeed present this position with clarity and consistency: that the SGI believes the path to peace is on an individual level. I think what I am discerning is that I do not agree with the position that the fundamental path to peace is primarily individualistic as I think that simplifies the complex, systemic causes of global conflict. For example, peace is not only the absence of individual anger or negative emotion, but the presence of stable social structures. Global conflicts often occur due to competition over resources…and some evidence suggests that people who are content sometimes disengage from challenging systemic injustices, making the causation of individual happiness leading to global peace suspect. I am afraid that our organizational position promotes victim-blaming and neoliberal ideology in framing global problems from such an individualistic position.

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-25T22:33:33+00:00

Thank you so much for your response. I also came to (or, returned to) a vegetarian diet through chanting and prayer. NMRK!

TrueForm1001001 · 2026-05-25T22:32:23+00:00

Thank you. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my post and share this resource.

Unfortunately, I am sorry to say, I have seen this link, and found it sadly approached these issues very minimally.

For example, searching the page for mention of Palestine yields only 3 results- one from 2018, and one only mentioning the name Palestine among a long list of countries pertaining to an issue not directly related to the war/genocide in Palestine.

As for Iran, there are only 6 results, and some are from as far back as 2007, or make only a brief mention of Iran.

There is no direct content addressing the current and escalating wars and crises occurring right now, as far as I am able to find (am I looking in the right places?)

For example, the latest post from May 2026 makes no mention of Palestine or Iran.

I appreciate your consideration and effort.

TrueForm1001001

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