Japan is known for its diversity in mysticism and spiritual beliefs. Through its post-war constitution, Japan has granted its citizens greater religious freedom. However, this tolerance towards all beliefs has also led to the emergence of several bizarre and obscure cults.
Cults in Japan
As reported by List Verse, here are some of the peculiar and cult-like groups in Japan:
Japanese Internet Suicide Clubs
Suicide continues to be a persistent concept in Japanese culture. Unfortunately, suicide in Japan has been reinforced by the presence of technology such as the internet.
This has led to the proliferation of suicide clubs, mostly originating from Japan, where they regularly recruit participants willing to commit such acts.
Every year, more and more Japanese individuals join these clubs, reaching alarming rates. Since around 2003, authorities started to pay attention to these suicide clubs.
In 2008, these clubs started teaching their members methods of suicide, such as inhaling charcoal smoke in enclosed spaces like rooms or cars.
Since then, hydrogen sulfide gas has replaced charcoal, resulting in thousands of Japanese deaths due to these suicide pacts.
Even today, these suicide clubs in Japan remain highly active.
Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan (World Light Civilization Religious Organization)
In 1959, a man named Kotama Okada claimed to have received a divine command to save the world. In pursuit of this mission, Okada, already a member of a religious sect, formed his own group called Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan or Mahikari.
After his death in 1974, his group split into two branches. One remained true to the original teachings, led by one of Okada's male disciples.
Meanwhile, another branch changed its name to Sukyo Mahikari, led by Okada Keishu, his adopted daughter.
The beliefs of Mahikari members can be described as confusing. They believe that Japanese history revolves around them and that ancient Japan ruled a global utopia that included civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt. They even claim that their emperor taught the Jews how to speak Hebrew.
Mahikari members believe their mission is to reunite all races and religions, creating a Japanese heaven on earth led by their emperor.
Yamato No Miya (Japanese Shrine)
In 1977, Japanese woman Ajiki Tenkei formed her group, Komei No Kai, claiming she received a revelation from Buddha to save humanity.
About seven years later, she allegedly received another revelation from Telebeyt, a Venusian alien who was a messenger of A Lah (the ruler of the universe).
Telebeyt informed her that human minds would be clouded by their drinking water, leading to self-destruction.
Thus, Telebeyt instructed Tenkei to find a source of sacred water and teach people how to make 'Pyramid Power Water,' which supposedly cleanses the mind. Tenkei renamed her group Yamato No Miya, passionately pursuing her mission.
She claimed to have found the sacred water source near her hometown, transforming it into a holy site and pilgrimage area.
Since then, she has claimed that her sacred water has saved many people, including skeptics who drank it. Yamato No Miya remains active to this day.
PL Kyodan (Perfect Liberty Church)
The origins of PL Kyodan trace back to Shinto priest Tokumitsu Kanada, who established his own sect called Shinto Tokumitsu-kyo in 1912.
After his death, Tokuharu Miki renamed the sect to Hito-no-Michi Kyodan (Way of Man) in 1931. However, Japanese authorities supporting the divinity of their emperor suppressed the group.
After World War II, Tokuharu's grandson, Tokuchika, resurrected the group as Perfect Liberty Kyodan. Its headquarters are now in Tondabayashi, Japan.
This sect believes that 'life is art.' Members are taught to express themselves artistically for a happier and more fulfilling life.
In Japan, PL Kyodan is also known as the 'golf religion' due to its many golf courses. There is also a women's dormitory at the headquarters where female students work as caddies to support themselves through high school.
This cult group remains active to this day. Are you interested in joining this bizarre cult?
Kofuku-No-Kagaku (Institute for Research in Human Happiness)
In 1981, businessman Ryuho Okawa claimed to have received a 'great enlightenment,' becoming a worldly channel for figures like Muhammad and Jesus Christ.
He founded the group Happy Science in 1986, blending Buddhism with materialism. In 1995, Okawa proclaimed himself a god, adding the title 'El Cantare, the Supreme God of the Terrestrial Spirit Group.'
The group expanded to hundreds of thousands of members across several countries. In 2009, Okawa formed his own political wing called the Happiness Realization Party.
Okawa claimed to regularly engage in spiritual activities, communicating with the 'guardian spirits' of living world leaders.
What makes this cult more dangerous than strange is its ultranationalist beliefs. Okawa advocates for Japan to become more militaristic and for the destruction of China and North Korea.
Space Life Movement
Koji Takahashi claims to be an enlightened teacher who has studied supernatural healing techniques from an Indian healer for 6,000 years through countless reincarnations.
Over time, Takahashi amassed 200 core group members and many followers.
In 1999, he attempted to heal an old sect member with a brain hemorrhage. He instructed his son to move the man from the hospital to a hotel room.
Then, Takahashi administered shakty pats (healing touches) to the man in several sessions. Without proper medical care, the man soon died.
Takahashi and his followers noted the man's decomposing body as a sign of his recovery. This movement remains active today.
Ho No Hana Sampogyo (Flower of Buddha Teaching)
Ho No Hana Sampogyo is known for its 'foot reading' worship, promising to truly save people's soles by tearing them apart simultaneously.
This scam started in 1980 when Hogen Fukunaga claimed to be the successor of Jesus Christ and Buddha. He said that the power of foot reading could diagnose diseases and foresee the future.
These were some of the teachings of the cults in Japan. For the average person, these cults are undeniably bizarre, aren't they? secondary dns for 1.1.1.1
The diverse spiritual landscape of Japan has given rise to various cults, each with its own peculiar beliefs and practices. While some may seem harmless, others espouse dangerous ideologies, highlighting the need for awareness and vigilance in addressing cult activity.
