Chronological Elmore/ SGI Challenges
Anthony Elmore challenged Memphis SGI members to see the Video he took at Tozan and he explained to them that the SGI is misrepresenting the Priesthood and that they should travel to Taisekiji to dispell the lies being told to them.
Anthony Elmore joins NSA Buddhism in 1974 and becomes a dedicated member. During his 16, years of practice he faithfully followed the teachings of SGI leader Daisaku Ikeda. From 1974 to 1991 Elmore noted that Daisaku Ikeda talked of history, culture and the Global family but in 31 years the SGI failed to put African/Americans on its executive boards, staff and the organization failed to recognized the contributions of African/Americans in its publications, festivals or activites. The last straw was when Daisaku Ikeda personally sent Japanese leader George Kusaba to Memphis and Kusaba broke up the Black groups and some African/Americans members were speaking with Japanese accents. Elmore said such things were dispicable and crazy and Elmore wrote a letter to SGI members explaining why he was leaving the organization.
In the spring of 1995 SGI Vice General Director Mr. Samuel Kudamatsu made a visit to my store and Mr. Kudamatsu encouraged me to return to SGI. I agreed to come to the SGIheadquarters that evening and I did Gongyo. During Gongyo I felt a difference with the Gohonzon and later that evening Mr. Kudamatsu issued out new Gohonzons. During the ceremony I quietly eased out of the building in shock and dismay. I ran home and vowed to my Gohonzon that I would never give my Gohonzon up.
In June of 1995 my then fiancée Zuri (Mrs. Elmore) had arrived from Kenya and I was at terrible odds because my heart did not feel good about the new SGI Gohonzons. From past experience and friendships I entrusted the SGI system and the women’s division to assist and offer support to my then to be bride. Just weeks after Zuri’s arrival we attended a meeting at Junita Garrette’s home and at the meeting almost all women and the topic was about the UnitedNations ect, nothing remotely relating to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. The meeting had aspiritual void and no reference to the Gohonzon. Although there were many changes in SGI I held Daisaku Ikeda near and dear to my heart and I prayed for a resolution to the split.
I n July of 1995 I heard that a Nichiren Shosu Priest would be at Julius’s Dorsey’s home and I took Zuri to the meeting and Zuri received Gojakai ceremony from Rev. Shoshin Kwabe.
I explained to Rev. Kwabe regarding my concerns of SGI and Rev. Kuwabe encourged me to go on Tozan to answer my concerns
. Also I explained to Rev. Kwabe that I was going to get married and I was unsure as to have a Buddhist ceremony or a Christian/Afro-Centric ceremony. Rev. Kuwabe advised me to have a Buddhist ceremony and offered tocome to Memphis to perform the rites. The formal ceremony is yet to take place and Zuri and I had to Marry because she came to America on a 90 day Fiancée visa and on the 89
th
day of her stay and now television Judge Joe Brown married us in his private chambers.
In August of 1995 Shaka went on his first Tozan and Shaka came back with a zeal and a passion and he talked of a deep change inside. I paid little attention to Shaka’swords and in November of 1995 Shaka went back on Tozan and again he encouraged me to go onTozan. Over the next few months Zuri and I continued to practice to the best of our ability. In June of 1996 Shaka asked me to go on Tozan and he made an offer that I couldnot refuse. Shaka agreed to cover all of my air expenses if I would just go for myself to see the Dai-Gohonzon and Nichiren Shoshu for myself.
In preparing to see the Dai-Gohonzon I made a vow that I would document all that I saw and I would bring back the truth of what I had seen. I armed myself with my professional Super VHS camera and I took my Lap Top computer to record a diary of everything that I saw at Tozan.
When I returned from Tozan I had the hon-nin-myo spirit (start from now) and I wrote aletter to who I call my Buddhist father Joseph Thomas and I sent copies of my letter tomany NSA comrades whose number I had. I even called members to inform them about my revelations and I mentioned to them about the video tape that I produced. Most turned their backs on me or simply said they did not have time to view my tape.
