| Sukyo Mahikari | |
|---|---|
| 崇教眞光 | |
 World Shrine of Sukyo Mahikari in Takayama | |
| Type | Japanese new religion |
| Spiritual leader | Kōō Okada (岡田光央) |
| Headquarters | Takayama, Gifu, Japan |
| Founder | Keishu Okada (岡田恵珠) |
| Origin | June 23, 1978 |
| Branched from | Mahikari |
| Official website | www |
Sukyo Mahikari (Japanese: 崇教眞光, Sūkyō Mahikari; "Sukyo" means universal principles and "Mahikari" means True Light) is a Japanese new religion (shinshūkyō) founded in 1978. It is a member of the nationalist and revisionnist Nippon Kaigi organization. Mahikari has been described as a cult.
Its headquarters in Takayama is known as the World Shrine of Sukyo Mahikari (崇教眞光世界総本山) or Motosu Hikari Ōkamu no Miya (元主晃大神宮).
History
[edit]The original Mahikari organization was founded by Kōtama Okada in 1959 under the name L. H. Yokoshi no Tomo (L・H陽光子友乃会発足).[1][2] This then became Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan (SMBK) or the World Divine Light Organization.
On June 23, 1978, the establishment of Sukyo Mahikari was announced by Keishu Okada (岡田恵珠; born Sachiko Okada 岡田幸子), the adopted daughter of Kōtama Okada.
On October 18, 1984, the Inner Shrine (Okumiya) of the World Shrine (世界総本山奥宮) was inaugurated near the summit of Mount Kurai. The World Shrine (Suza) was inaugurated in Takayama City on November 3, 1984.
The Hikaru Shinden (光神殿), the shrine dedicated to the founder, Sukuinushisama, was inaugurated on June 23, 1992.
On May 5, 2002, the Sukyo Mahikari Youth Centre (眞光青年会館) was opened.
On November 3, 2009, the organization officially announced that the third spiritual leader would be Mr. Kōō Okada (岡田光央; born Teshima Tairoku 手島泰六 in 1947).
Beliefs and practices
[edit]The organization aims to promote peace and harmony in society through the practice of a method of spiritual purification and the practice of universal principles, such as gratitude, acceptance, and humility in all aspects of life.[3]
The core ritual of Sukyo Mahikari and other Mahikari religions is okiyome (お浄め) ("purifying"), also known as tekazashi (手かざし) ("laying of hands"), which involves the transmission of divine light for spiritual healing.[4]
The art of True Light
[edit]Sukyo Mahikari introduces a practice to purify one's spiritual aspect as an expedient toward attaining happiness. Radiating Light from the palm of the hand is a method of spiritual purification that cleanses the spirit, mind and body. It is said to help open the way to resolving all manner of problems. By purifying the spiritual aspect with the Light and leading a life based on principles of sustainability, people can revive their spirituality and attain increasing health, harmony and prosperity.
The transmission of Light is referred to as "the art of True Light." Through the palm of the hand, a person (the giver) radiates Light to another person (the receiver), allowing them to purify and revitalize their spirit, mind and body.[5]
Radiating Light can be practiced by anyone who so desires, by attending the Sukyo Mahikari primary course.
A session of Light typically begins with both the giver and receiver offering a short prayer. Next, the giver of Light recites a prayer that is believed to have a strong power to purify (the "Amatsu Norigoto Prayer"). The giver then holds his or her hand approximately 30 centimeters (12 inches) from the receiver's body. Sessions of Light usually last anywhere from 10 to 50 minutes.[6]
Sukyo Mahikari does not advocate the use of the art of True Light as a substitute for medical treatment or therapy.[5] The founder of Mahikari, Kōtama Okada, taught that the purpose of the art of True Light is not to heal disease or illness, but to be of service to society, bring happiness to people, and attain divine nature.[6]
The art of True Light is said to purify the spiritual realm of one's home and society, making them more peaceful and harmonious. Thus, members are encouraged to radiate the Light to anything, anywhere, and at any time. Thus, the Light is not only radiated to human beings, but also to animals, food, buildings, and the natural environment.[6]
Universal principles
[edit]Sukyo Mahikari teaches the concept of universal principles that, when practiced together with the Light, allow one to more quickly attain spiritual and personal growth.[7]
Sukyo Mahikari encourages people to incorporate the divine principles in their daily life by practicing virtues such as altruistic love, gratitude, humility and acceptance of the will of God.[7] Members also practice prayer, cultivating positive and cheerful attitudes, promoting love and harmony, and helping others.[7]
Founder Kōtama Okada believed that if people lived in accordance with the universal principles, they would cultivate their spirituality, and naturally come to use science and technology that was integrated with an understanding of spirituality, to find solutions to pressing issues facing humanity.[7]
Other beliefs
[edit]Sukyo Mahikari promotes the practice of yoko agriculture. The practice of yoko agriculture involves organic agriculture combined with the use of positive words and attitudes to help people to cultivate respect for nature and restore soil to its pure and fertile condition.[8] Accordingly, respect for nature and the natural environment is encouraged. The arbitrary use of chemical fertilizers, without consideration for the local environment, is discouraged. The organization has helped to create natural farms and promotes the distribution of natural and organic produce throughout the world.[9]
Organization and membership
[edit]Headquarters, regional headquarters, and local centers
[edit]The headquarters of Sukyo Mahikari is located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Sukyo Mahikari says it has centers located in over 100 countries.[3] Within the United States and Canada, Sukyo Mahikari has 21 spiritual development centers.[10]
In Takayama and surroundings, the religion's holy sites are:[11][12]
- Headquarters: The World Shrine 世界総本山 (Motosu Hikari Ōkamu no Miya 元主晃大神宮)
- Aiwakan 愛和館, the second shrine 第二神殿 (also called "The Second Noah's Ark" 第二のノアの方舟)
- Hikaru Seidō 光聖堂 (consisting of Hikaru Shinden 光神殿 and Seishu-den 聖珠殿) in the southeastern foothills of Mount Kurai 位山. Hikaru Shinden memorializes Kōtama Okada, and Seishuden memorializes Keishu Okada. Both memorials are built like Mayan pyramids.
- The Inner Shrine (Okumiya) of the World Shrine (世界総本山奥宮) on the summit of Mount Kurai was inaugurated on October 18, 1984.
Membership
[edit]Sukyo Mahikari claimed approximately a million practitioners who form its membership as of 2011.[13][14]
Sukyo Mahikari does not practice any form of tithe. The organization is sustained by the voluntary contributions (offerings) made by members. There are no mandatory contributions. However, there is a set amount for the appreciation offering to attend the introductory course and the spiritual cord maintenance offering. Members are encouraged to offer the monthly spiritual cord maintenance offering, which is approximately $7 in the U.S. and a similar amount in other regions.[7]
Charity
[edit]Sukyo Mahikari members have been involved in charity and social services around the world, such as in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal (planting of trees and revival of national parks), in Angola (activities for children, elderly people, and beautify urban areas) and in both New York and Hawaii (for environmental cleanup activities).[15]
In 2000, Sukyo Mahikari co-sponsored the UN Millennium Summit of World Religious Leaders.[16]
In August 2004, Los Angeles mayor James Hahn presented Sukyo Mahikari of North America with a proclamation commending the organization for its efforts in helping to create a peaceful and harmonious society;[17] and in September 2009, Mayor Mufi Hannemann of Honolulu presented Sukyo Mahikari with a certificate declaring September 27 as Sukyo Mahikari Day in Honolulu in recognition of beach and park cleanup activities that the organization has conducted there over the past ten years.[18]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Chang 2007, pp. 137–8
- ^ "Sukyo Mahikari, History2". Archived from the original on 2010-01-13.
- ^ a b "Sukyo Mahikari, About". Sukyo Mahikari North America. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ Swift, Philip (2022-12-16). "Prosthetic Revelations: Sticking the Teachings to the Body in a Japanese New Religion". Japan Review. 37. International Research Center for Japanese Studies: 29–49. doi:10.15055/00007908.
- ^ a b "Sukyo Mahikari, Light Energy". Sukyo Mahikari North America. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ a b c Chang 2007, p. 50
- ^ a b c d e "Sukyo Mahikari, Universal Principles". Sukyo Mahikari North America. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ Tebecis, Andris (2004). Is the future in our hands? My experiences with Sukyo Mahikari. Canberra, Australia: Sunrise Press. p. 307. ISBN 0-9593677-4-8.
- ^ C. Cornille, "New Japanese Religions in the West: Between Nationalism and Universalism", Chapter 1, in "Japanese new religions: in global perspective, Routledge publication, Volume 1999 pp. 17, 2000, ISBN 0-7007-1185-6
- ^ "Sukyo Mahikari North America - Visit a Center". www.sukyomahikari.org. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
- ^ "Facilities". 崇教眞光公式サイト. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "インフォメーション｜崇教眞光公式サイト". 崇教眞光公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "World Religions". Retrieved 2011-02-15.
- ^ "Adherents.com". Archived from the original on August 19, 1999. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
- ^ "Sukyo Mahikari, Partnerships". Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at United Nations: Account With Bias" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-01-27.
- ^ "Resolution by Councilmember 15th District, President of the Council, Mayor of Los Angeles, California". City of Los Angeles, California. 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Proclamation by the Mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii". City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii. 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
References
[edit]- Chang, Sidney E., ed. (2007). God's Light and Universal Principles for All Humanity: An Introduction to Sukyo Mahikari. Ansembourg, Luxembourg: LH Europe. ISBN 978-2-9599717-0-9.
- Tebecis, Andris K. (2004). Is the Future in Our Hands? My Experiences with Sukyo Mahikari. Canberra, Australia: Sunrise Press. ISBN 0-9593677-4-8.
Further reading
[edit]- Broder, Anne (2008). "Mahikari in context" (pdf). Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 35 (2): 33–362. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- Clarke, Peter Bernard (1994). Japanese New Religions in the West. Routledge. ISBN 1-873410-24-7.
- Clarke, Peter B. (ed.). A Bibliography of Japanese New Religious Movements: With Annotations, Surrey, Japan Library, 1999 ISBN 1-873410-80-8
- Clarke, Peter B. (ed.). Japanese New Religions: In Global Perspective, Surrey, Curzon Press, 2000 ISBN 0-7007-1185-6
- Cornille, Catherine (1991). "The Phoenix Flies West: The Dynamics of the Inculturation of Mahikari in Western Europe" (PDF). Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. 18 (2–3): 265–285. doi:10.18874/jjrs.18.2-3.1991.265-285. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
- Davis, Winston (1980). Dojo: Magic and Exorcism in Modern Japan. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-1053-8.
- Hexham, Irving & Karla Poewe. New Religion...es., Boulderstview Press, 1997.
- Hurbon, Laennec. Mahikari in the Caribbean, Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 18/2-3: 1991, 243–64.
- McFarland, Horace Neill (1967). The Rush Hour of the Gods: A Study of the New Religious Movements in Japan. Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-583200-X.
- Murakami, Shigeyosu and Paul L. Swanson, Religion and Society in Modern Japan:.., Asian Humanities Press, 1991, 239–256.
- Shibata, Kentaro (1993). Daiseishu, Great and Holy Master. L.H. Yoko Shuppan Co.Ltd.
- Tebecis, Andris K. (2004). Is the Future in Our Hands? My Experiences with Sukyo Mahikari. Canberra, Australia: Sunrise Press. ISBN 0-9593677-4-8.
- Weston, Erin Leigh (2002). "Transcultural Possessions in/of Mahikari: Religious Syncretism in Martinique" (PDF). Japanese Studies Review. 6 (1): 45–62. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
- Yasaka, T. (1999). Hope for a Troubled Age. Tokyo: L H Yoko Publishers.
External links
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