Soka Gakkai Founder: Tsunesaburo Makiguchi Established: 1930 in Japan; 1961 in Hong Kong Members: 45,000;in Hong Kong; 16 million worldwide
Soka Gakkai was founded as the lay arm of Nichiren Shoshu, one of many Buddhist organizations claiming to follow the teachings of the 1 3th-century teacher Nichiren. Despite years of charitable activities with a focus on disarmament, human rights and humanitarian relief, the group remains stained by allegations from murder to rape. There is even a Soka Gakkai Victims Association, which in 1995 had 10,000 members, according to Time magazine. Rie Tsumura, Soka Gakkai's representative in Tokyo, blames disgruntled members of Nichiren Shoshu - with which Soka Gakkai severed ties in 1991 - for most of the allegations and says no member of Soka Gakkai has ever been charged with a crime and claims all allegations have been disproved But the organization continues to instill fear in many. No one the Post interviewed (among them a theologian, an academic, a cult expert and a housewife), about Soka Gakkai wanted to be named, citing worries about intimidation. One says: "There is a charge that Soka Gakkai wants to make a Buddhist country out of Japan. ... If it's true, that would be frightening because Soka Gakkai is the Buddhist group most known for its intolerance towards people (of other beliefs) in Japan." Another: "Although there are many nice believers [of Soka Gakkai], they don't accept other's opinions. For instance, if they knew I criticized them, I would have a lot of [Soka Gakkai] guests in my house tonight."