"Rainhas da felicidade": um estudo sobre a divisão feminina da BSGI

Abstract

This work aims to introduce the Soka Gakkai International Brazil (BSGI) Women´s Division, a lay organization constituted by followers of Nichiren Buddhism, which promotes a movement for peace through culture and education under the leadership of Daisaku Ikeda. The Women´s Division, formed by adult women, is the association s biggest division, and its members, the majority being non-Japanese descendant, dedicate great part of their time to the spreading of Buddhism and the socialization in the BSGI activities. This research intended to answer the following questions: Who are these BSGI women members, who dedicate in the front of these activities even though not holding leading functions? How much has the Japanese culture influenced these women in their performance and status inside the organization? What makes these women keep going? The result of this work was based on an evaluation of the organization since its founding in Japan, in 1930, up to the present date. As a transplanted organization, the focus of this analysis was both the influence the Japanese had on the running of the organization and on the status held by its women members. Questionnaires, interviews and field research were employed for this purpose. The conclusion revealed that the denomination queen of happiness encourages these women to improve their self-esteem and to reach a world beyond their ordinary daily lives in the outskirts. Moreover, the principle of the oneness of mentor and disciple also encourages them to cope with any prejudice and stereotyping that may emerge in the organization itself