Niciren Syosyu Indonesia dissolved, changes name

JAKARTA (JP): The Niciren Syosyu Indonesia, a Buddhist sect with origins in Japan, has been formally dissolved and the members of the old organization have formed a new group called Pesamuan Buddha Jambu Dwipa Indonesia (PBJDI), which is registered as a socio-religious organization.

The new group's leaders announced yesterday that Jamu Dwipa does not, like its predecessor, have any formal ties with the Japanese sect. They said the organization's activities would chiefly be social and charity work.

The interests of Niciren Syosyu followers in Indonesia, estimated to number about 1.2 million people, will be administered directly by the Tae Sekiji temple in Japan, the mecca of the Buddhist sect.

Holy Monk Jitoku Kawabe, abbot of Niciren Syosyu followers in Indonesia, said in Jakarta yesterday that the holy temple no longer recognized any social organization using its name in Indonesia.

The holy temple would continue to guide Indonesian Niciren Syosyu worshipers in learning the sect's principles, he said. "But we do not want to get involved in any matters outside of religious matters," he added.

The Niciren Syosyu has sought to steer away from politics even in its home base, Japan.

Three years ago, the temple broke off relations with Sokagakai, the organization of the sect's members worldwide, because of its increasing political activities.

"The holy temple does not have connections with Sokagakai anymore," Kawabe said yesterday.

Sokagakai is now a political party in Japan.

The presence of the Niciren Syosyu Indonesia, which was begun by the late Senosoenoto 30 years ago, has been the subject of controversy.

In 1987, the sect quit the Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi) because of differences over methods of prayer.

The organization has, however, continued to flourish. It has established a base at Saddhapaributha temple in Bogor and has been involved in various social works. It has also forged close relations with Golkar, the ruling political group.

Since the death of its founder in 1993, the organization has been beset by internal rifts. These led to the decision to dissolve the group and establish Pesamuan Budha Jambu Dwipa Indonesia (PBJDI) last month.

Aiko Senosenoto, the head of the new organization, told reporters separately yesterday that the temple's decision to sever links, while shocking, was understandable.

"We support it. We believe the temple wants us to be independent," she said.

Aiko said that Jambu Dwipa hoped to be able to work together with Walubi in achieving unity among Buddhist worshipers, as requested by the government. (06)