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543 M Mahikari origin and sPread oF Mahikari Mahikari is true light. True light is the perpetual, powerful emanation of God in the universe. It is a purifying light that cleanses souls and any material form to which it is directed by kami-kumite, the practitioners of Mahikari. Mahikari has its roots in the early modernization of Japan as a millenarian and messianic new spiritual practice known for syncretizing different traditions. In Mahikari, elements of Japanese folk practices (e.g., spiritism and ancestor worship), Shintoism (e.g., nature of deities and purity), Buddhism (e.g., the nature of hell and reincarnation), Confucianism (e.g., ethical conduct ) (see Japanese Religions in Cuba; Chinese Caribbean Religions), and Christianity (e.g., eschatology) are blended. More than twelve hundred centers can be found in eighty countries around the world—including the Caribbean. Brian McVeigh (1992) estimated the number of adherents worldwide to be about four hundred thousand, and this number has certainly increased. These figures, and others, are rough estimates as official records are not made public and there are fairly high drop-out rates within a year of initiation. Despite this assessment, Mahikari remains a vibrant and growing faith tradition. In 1959, Okada Yoshikazu—also known as Kotama (Jewel of Light) and the founder of Mahikari—fell unconscious with a high fever. When he recovered, he believed that he astrally projected during the fever and Su-God (Su no kami-sama, literally and generally “Lord God” in Japanese, but in this case personalized as Su-God) spoke to him of the cleansing mission to be performed. Kotama already belonged to one of Japan’s new religions when this event occurred. He had for a long time suffered serious illness but finally joined Messianity (Sekai Kyusei Kyo) when he became destitute due to the loss of his factories during the strafing of Tokyo in 1945. As a follower of Messianity he believed that “dust” accumulates on the surface of the soul resulting in illness and calamity. With a specially blessed amulet transmitting “spirit rays” held over the forehead by another, this dust could be dispelled , thus healing one’s illness and misfortune. According to Winston Davis (1980), an historian of religion who wrote a book on Mahikari called Dojo: Magic and Exorcism in Modern Japan, Mahikari as taught by the founder varies little from Messianity (and its forebear Omoto) except in its emphasis on the role of evil or unrequited spirit possession, instead of dust, in generating the problems of this world. Thus Mahikari teachings emerge from Kotama’s personal religious history as interpreted through his revelatory experience. Kotama began preaching his message of purification by light immediately. His first disciples were young women from the local drinking establishments, and the first to be healed through purification was a dog. Despite such modest success, Kotama launched his official organization in 1960 and called it l.H. (Lucky and Healthy) Sunshine Children. Later he changed the name to Church of the World TrueLight Civilization (Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan). In 1968, Kotama demonstrated his light purification technique (holding the hand with open palm over a person or thing while reciting a prayer) on a television program, which catapulted him and his teachings into a nationwide and then international movement. Kotama’s revelations increased in intensity and frequency over the next five years during which his name changed and several titles were added. These include, but are not limited to, Spiritual Leader or Master (Osienushisama ) and Lord Savior (Sukuinushi-sama). When in a state of revelation, Kotama would rapidly write all that he perceived. These writings have been collected into a volume called Goseigenshu , which now holds the honor of being a scripture for Mahikari. In addition to the scripture, anything written by Kotama is treated as mioshie or holy teachings by practitioners . Another popular source of information—especially its testimonials on the efficacy of true light—for Mahikari followers is a book written by a disciple, A. K. Tebecis (1982), called Mahikari: Thank God for the Answers at Last. When Kotama died in 1974 a conflict over who was to succeed him resulted in a splitting of the organization. Sekiguchi Sakae, a high-level disciple, won the support of the courts and today retains the title of spiritual leader of the Church of the World True-Light Civilization with its original headquarters . After Kotama’s death, a “revelation memo” appeared that instructed Sekiguchi to give Okada’s personal amulet (omitama) to his adopted daughter, Sachiko, who...
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