The question From the perspective of Theravada is SGI considered a cult? is 'primarily opinion-based', and not a good question (not a question which encourages helpful answers)
It's opinion-based for two reasons:
By asking for, it justifies opinion-based answers: the "Theravada perspective" is expert about the Theravada tradition, and less likely to be knowledgeable on the practices of SGI.
It explicitly excludes more expert answers: because an expert answer about SGI, from an SGI perspective and by an SGI practitioner, would be off-topic.
Ask about their perspective
If you wanted to know more about SGI then you could ask, instead, "what is the SGI perspective"? Conversely if you have already decided, that you already know enough about SGI to make up your mind, then don't ask: you needn't disguise a statement as a question!
Assuming you're biased towards (or more knowledgeable about) any particular tradition to begin with, even so if you ask about another tradition you might prefer to phrase that question as if you were a student of (i.e. trying to learn more about or clear your misunderstandings of) that other tradition.
There are maybe, for example several other questions which could have been asked instead:
- Ask what 'a true Buddha' means: in the Lotus Sutra; from the perspective of Nichiren's own writings; from the perspective of Nichiren's disciples; and from the perspective of SGI.
Ask for an explanation of any specific, genuine direct quote that interests you; for example the following sentence appears in the SGI dictionary:
Nichiren is regarded as the teacher of the true cause, and Shakyamuni as the teacher of the true effect
Questions could include:
What's meant by 'true cause' instead of 'true effect'?
What's the doctrinal/literary basis for saying this? Do we understand why its original author wrote this?
Does that affect the reasons for which and/or the ways in which Buddhism is practised?
Asking about a direct quote is better than asking about a misquote, a misunderstanding, or asking about some angry paraphrase of whatever they have and/or haven't taught you.
Ask about a practice: what explanation does SGI give for chanting? What effect is it meant to have? Is asking about an "effect" even the right question to ask?
Ask about a similar practice from the perspective of another tradition: does Theravada practice chanting? For what reason / intention / effect?
C vs Pascal type discussions are banned
I recommend what Andrei said in reply to another question, Which type of Buddhism is for me?
I'm afraid this will be like comparative-religion questions, answers coming from limited perspectives of mostly being familiar with "my" school and assuming it to be better ("truer") than others. If we assume that what type of Buddhism is better for you depends on you, then we could ask this as [etc.]
Also,
But you know that C vs Pascal type discussions are banned on all forums since 90s? :) The fact that question can be answered well, does not mean it will be answered well. A good question has an incline, so its answers naturally turn out good. A bad question is inclined toward flamewars, and takes extra effort and wisdom to answer well. Like that question about faith in B vs. C which I had to save.
In summary we should beware of asking questions which ask for direct comparisons of different traditions. We should especially beware of questions which ask for one tradition's "perspective" on another.
Part of what may have caused this question was the OP's reacting to some alleged claim by SGI that SGI's tradition is better than other traditions. I think that claim too is difficult to ask about well: and if you want to ask about you could ask for example, "What is good about SGI's doctrine?" or at least something more tactful than "Why is SGI's doctrine better than others?"
A bad question is inclined toward flamewars
I accept that this is a slightly artificial limitation. Even if Nichiren himself compared his doctrines with other earlier doctrines, for the sake of the "community" on Stack Exchange a question about comparisons should be asked carefully if at all.
FYI here are some highly-upvoted quotes from the corresponding policy of the Skeptics.SE site:
- If someone wants to mock creationists, flat-earthers or vaccine-denialists he/she should just get a blog. This site should be objective and polite, as Robert explained in his excellent answer.
- "Hostile or mocking responses to untenable claims" equals a failed site. It's really as simple as that.
Be nice.
Treat others with the same respect you’d want them to treat you. We’re all here to learn together. Be tolerant of others who may not know everything you know.
It's not optional or reserved for people you agree with; it is a basic tenet of the site. Any hostile behavior or ad hominem attacks should not be tolerated.
The community should reject and down-vote disproportionate, mocking behavior towards any opposing ideas or people in the guise of making a VALID argument.
[...] Otherwise, this site will fail.
Trust me on this one: Users will leave this site in droves if its primary purpose is for members to pat each other on the back and tell each other how smart they are. That type of clique-ish behavior starts when "the best quip" or "best put-down" curries favor and popularity from the community. Don't encourage those activities with your support. The best way to respond is with a polite "We don't do that here."
Let's keep the questions (and answers) canonical and authoritative. If you can resist the urge to browbeat those who hold opposing ideas (whether they're on this site or not), this site will thrive.
- Well said. It's never reasonable to be hostile.
Summary
I suggest that all this is a reason why some questions could be closed:
Perhaps some questions should be closed until they're made more neutral (unbiased) in tone.
A possibility is:
- Put the question on hold (five closed-votes by community, or flag it for a moderator to close)
- Optionally create a topic here on meta to discuss how to improve that question
- Optionally if (after) it has been edited/improved, then it can be reopened (five reopen votes by community, or reopened by moderator)
