[Fredric Rice, The Skeptic Tank:  The authorship of these files on
    cults has his or her own motivations for providing them and will
    contain his or her own bias.  What I find typical is that
    individuals and organizations which report on cults are usually
    themselves a competition cult yet like to think of themselves as
    "a religion, not a cult."  In actual fact, _ALL_ religions are
    cults by the primary, secondary, and terciary usage definition of
    the term.  Some of the information you find here is inaccurate and
    contains urban legend -- take what you find with a grain of salt.
    If you wish to acquire a copy of the Law Enforcement Guide on
    Occult Crime, contact myself at frice@stbbs.com or at The Skeptic
    Tank (818) 335-9601 and I'll forward the address and information
    you need.]

Nichiren Shoshu

A 'militant' form of Buddhism which was founded in 13th-century
Japan but did not fully take off in that country until after World
War II. Unlike Zen Buddhism, which originated in China, Nichiren
Shoshu has a success-oriented philosophy which encourages material
ambition (you are allowed to pray for a new flat, for example).

There are believed to be about 12 million followers in Japan.
Critics also point to aggressive recruitment tactics used by
members, who are themselves encouraged to donate generously to
the movement. It is also claimed that some followers are promised
financial rewards in return for loyalty.

Nichiren Shoshu is one of the fastest-growing movements in the
West. In Los Angeles there are plans to expand the successful
Soka University by 1.4 million sq ft so as to cater for an extra
3,400 students. In Britain, the sect bought a mansion in
Buckinghamshire in 1988 for £6 million.

Followers of Nichiren Shoshu must meditate twice a day.

        To comment about this Website, our paper and all
        associated articles, you can mail us at the Observer:
        bill@dial.pipex.com