Shr33m, what are your opinions of the Nicheran sect particularly the SGI-USA? I live in NYC where the main headquarters are located and I also have close friends that are members of this group. Honestly, I am not very impressed with this sect of Buddhism, I often think it is a westernized version of Buddhism that does not stress much discipline. I have been to a few of the meetings and it seems as if the chanting is used primarly as a means of manifesting things that are wanted in life. It almost comes across as promoting a kind of magical thinking mentality, I have a hard time accepting this kind of approach to life. In other words, all I have to do is chant and some how life will produce what I desire. I personally prefer the philosophy of the Tibetan systems of Buddhism over SGI-USA. The Tibetan systems of Buddhims tend to stress the importance of finding inner peace and happiness. I was thinking of looking further into this, maybe I will in the future.
