The Mahikari movement (Japanese: ) is a Japanese new religious movement (shinshūkyō) that was founded in 1959 by Yoshikazu Okada (岡田 良一) (1901–1974). The word "Mahikari" means "True (真, ma) Light (光, hikari)" in Japanese. The movement currently consists of various splinter organizations; the largest ones are currently World Divine Light (世界真光文明教団) in Izu and Sukyo Mahikari (崇教真光) in Takayama. Both of these organizations refer to their headquarters as ("God's throne"), since they are the shrines for the supreme . Both organizations also refer to their spiritual leader as Oshienushi or Oshienushi-sama (教え主[様]).
Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan
Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan, also known as World Divine Light (WDL) outside Japan, is headquartered in the mountainous interior of Izu, Shizuoka. Its main temple is the , which is often simply known as the .
Outside Japan, it calls itself the World Divine Light Organization to distinguish itself from Sukyo Mahikari. World Divine Light has branches in Houston, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, and Vancouver.
The organization's spiritual leader is known as the Oshienushi (教え主) or Oshienushi-sama (教え主様):
- First Oshienushi: Kotama Okada (岡田光玉; 1901–1974) (divine name: Seiō 聖鳳)
- Second Oshienushi: Sakae Sekiguchi (関口榮; 3 March 1909 – 1994)
- Third Oshienushi: Katsutoshi Sekiguchi (関口勝利; 1 September 1939–) (current leader)
Sukyo Mahikari
Sukyo Mahikari is headquartered in Takayama, Gifu. Its headquarters is also known as the .
See also
- Japanese new religions
- New religious movement
- Religions of Japan
Notes
References
External links
- Sukyo Mahikari
- Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan
- World Divine Light Organization (international branches of Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan)
- Yokoshi Tomo No Kai