Continuation II of Previous Post: What Makes Mahikari a Cult?
10. Members are encouraged to make frequent financial contributions or "offerings" to the organization under the auspices that the offerings are actually for God. There may be many categories of offerings encouraged, such as for receiving spiritual power, for reparation of sins or "negative karma," in gratitude for favors received, for the building of monuments, museums, temples, etc. The offerings disappear into real estate purchases, construction of buildings, and luxurious lifestyles for the top leadership. Offerings are rarely, if ever, used to support charitable activities such as the homeless, disadvantaged, disaster relief activities, etc.
-When you take Primary Kenshu you are given a membership number along with your omitama and a Goseigen. The Goseigen is a copy of Okada’s revelations from God. The omitama is the holy pendant that connects you to God via the human satelite, Keishu Okada, which can and will be cut off if you do not make your monthly membership fee and donate enough money to materially compensate. The number is a membership number used whenever you sign in at the dojo or make a donation.
What is the purpose of the number?
Most Kumite would say merely to keep count of the number of members, however, it is also written on the envelopes Kumite use to donate.
Why?
To keep track of the amount of money a Kumite is donating daily, weekly, monthly, annually, and throughout their entire stay as a Mahikari member. Kumite, you might not have any idea how much money you have donated throughout your life, but Kanbu does and when you don’t donate enough they make you aware of the situation.
On these envelopes there are several categories under which one can donate. You can choose to donate to Japan (ie: Keishu), to the dojo for repairs, to Gohoshi items (new pillow cases, flowers, food, cleaning products, etc), to apologize for negative karma/sins, to thank God for your blessings, and so on and so fourth.
Once you have selected why you want to donate you enter the main shrine area and drop the envelope in a wooden mailbox style container as you bow before the main altar. Donations are cash only, new bills, and always spiritually purified with okiyome prior to being placed into the drop-box. Cash only? Yes, no paper trail that way; no way of knowing how much money is getting sent back to Japan and being put into Keishu’s pocket.
The donations are never used for charity projects, as members are told that those who suffer from misfortune, are homeless, sick, or injured are suffering physically to compensate for their sins. Aiding them would be interferring with their cleansing process, spiritually and physically.
11. The organization does not practice full disclosure. Information is withheld from members, especially unflattering or embarrassing information about the founder and key leaders. Unflattering or embarrassing information is categorically denied as rumors and lies, despite all evidence to the contrary.
-True as well. Mahikari is not beyond hiding information or downright lying about it in order to make sure that their doctrine is not contradicted.
Case 1: Okada’s involvement in the SKK. The SKK is a organization that Okada was a minister of prior to forming Mahikari. The SKK also practices the Art of True Light, which they call Johrei. The organization was founded years prior to Mahikari by a man who coincindentally has the same last name as Kotama. However, Kotama was removed from his position when evidence that he was using black magic as well as participating in sexual misconduct surfaced. He then created Mahikari, which he told his followers was a unique religion that was the only religion who practiced okiyome.
His involvement in the SKK was denied by Kanbu for 30+ years, until recently when Mahikari could no longer deny it with all the proof that had surfaced (publications, paperwork, photos, etc). Keishu’s representative released a statement saying that prior to forming Mahikari, Kotama had participated in several different religions, the SKK included. Normally when Mahikari comes clean about these sorts of things they have a disclaimer saying that this is the only time they are going to admit to this and that they will not discuss it further once the information is revealed. Many Kumite still do not know about this as many dojos choose not to disclose that sort of information. I know I didn’t find out about it until I started talking to some of the other former members on these blogs and I went to monthly ceremony every month. Nothing was ever mentioned to us.
Case 2: Keishu’s court battle with Sekiguchi over the leadership of Mahikari. This information came out I am guessing about 1996 or 1997…if I am incorrect please let me know. Basically, members found out that Sukyo Mahikari was not the original organization founded by Kotama, but rather a sister organization called SMBK. Keishu released a statement and once again it was on a one and only time basis. She admitted that there was a court battle between herself and Mr. Sekiguchi, dividing the original organization. However, Keishu remained firm that God had chosen her as the leader and therefore Sukyo Mahikari was now the true religion.
These are two instances where information was embarassing and could discredit the organization if revealed. However, when there was no choice but to admit the truth, Sukyo Mahikari reluctantly came clean.
12. Members are encouraged to seek "guidance" from and to report everything to the leadership. Members are not encouraged to think for themselves nor to conduct their own independent research.
-Members of Mahikari are encouraged to speak with Kanbu when in doubt. Kanbu generally tell members that their doubts and discomfort with the organization is the result of an evil spirit/presence that is trying to pull them away from Mahikari. Normally the suggested cure for the doubts is to ‘ignore it, not think about it, and just give okiyome’. The possiblity of a mind controlling presence makes most members reluctant to trust their instincts about Mahikari as they do not know whether to trust their feelings as their own or as the feelings and thoughts of evil spirits. The Kanbu will also encourage the member to read only the available literature in the dojo to reinforce the members beliefs in Mahikari. All information on the internet that is not official material is considered written by evil spirits which have taken over the authors of all other literary works. Essentially, if the thoughts a person is thinking are not that Mahikari is the only way to God, the perfect religion, the word of the Lord…all other independent thought or speculation is of the devil or of evil spirits. If members see another Kumite swaying away from Mahikari, they are encouraged to speak with the person, discover what is wrong, and then tell Kanbu so they can step in.
10. Members are encouraged to make frequent financial contributions or "offerings" to the organization under the auspices that the offerings are actually for God. There may be many categories of offerings encouraged, such as for receiving spiritual power, for reparation of sins or "negative karma," in gratitude for favors received, for the building of monuments, museums, temples, etc. The offerings disappear into real estate purchases, construction of buildings, and luxurious lifestyles for the top leadership. Offerings are rarely, if ever, used to support charitable activities such as the homeless, disadvantaged, disaster relief activities, etc.
-When you take Primary Kenshu you are given a membership number along with your omitama and a Goseigen. The Goseigen is a copy of Okada’s revelations from God. The omitama is the holy pendant that connects you to God via the human satelite, Keishu Okada, which can and will be cut off if you do not make your monthly membership fee and donate enough money to materially compensate. The number is a membership number used whenever you sign in at the dojo or make a donation.
What is the purpose of the number?
Most Kumite would say merely to keep count of the number of members, however, it is also written on the envelopes Kumite use to donate.
Why?
To keep track of the amount of money a Kumite is donating daily, weekly, monthly, annually, and throughout their entire stay as a Mahikari member. Kumite, you might not have any idea how much money you have donated throughout your life, but Kanbu does and when you don’t donate enough they make you aware of the situation.
On these envelopes there are several categories under which one can donate. You can choose to donate to Japan (ie: Keishu), to the dojo for repairs, to Gohoshi items (new pillow cases, flowers, food, cleaning products, etc), to apologize for negative karma/sins, to thank God for your blessings, and so on and so fourth.
Once you have selected why you want to donate you enter the main shrine area and drop the envelope in a wooden mailbox style container as you bow before the main altar. Donations are cash only, new bills, and always spiritually purified with okiyome prior to being placed into the drop-box. Cash only? Yes, no paper trail that way; no way of knowing how much money is getting sent back to Japan and being put into Keishu’s pocket.
The donations are never used for charity projects, as members are told that those who suffer from misfortune, are homeless, sick, or injured are suffering physically to compensate for their sins. Aiding them would be interferring with their cleansing process, spiritually and physically.
11. The organization does not practice full disclosure. Information is withheld from members, especially unflattering or embarrassing information about the founder and key leaders. Unflattering or embarrassing information is categorically denied as rumors and lies, despite all evidence to the contrary.
-True as well. Mahikari is not beyond hiding information or downright lying about it in order to make sure that their doctrine is not contradicted.
Case 1: Okada’s involvement in the SKK. The SKK is a organization that Okada was a minister of prior to forming Mahikari. The SKK also practices the Art of True Light, which they call Johrei. The organization was founded years prior to Mahikari by a man who coincindentally has the same last name as Kotama. However, Kotama was removed from his position when evidence that he was using black magic as well as participating in sexual misconduct surfaced. He then created Mahikari, which he told his followers was a unique religion that was the only religion who practiced okiyome.
His involvement in the SKK was denied by Kanbu for 30+ years, until recently when Mahikari could no longer deny it with all the proof that had surfaced (publications, paperwork, photos, etc). Keishu’s representative released a statement saying that prior to forming Mahikari, Kotama had participated in several different religions, the SKK included. Normally when Mahikari comes clean about these sorts of things they have a disclaimer saying that this is the only time they are going to admit to this and that they will not discuss it further once the information is revealed. Many Kumite still do not know about this as many dojos choose not to disclose that sort of information. I know I didn’t find out about it until I started talking to some of the other former members on these blogs and I went to monthly ceremony every month. Nothing was ever mentioned to us.
Case 2: Keishu’s court battle with Sekiguchi over the leadership of Mahikari. This information came out I am guessing about 1996 or 1997…if I am incorrect please let me know. Basically, members found out that Sukyo Mahikari was not the original organization founded by Kotama, but rather a sister organization called SMBK. Keishu released a statement and once again it was on a one and only time basis. She admitted that there was a court battle between herself and Mr. Sekiguchi, dividing the original organization. However, Keishu remained firm that God had chosen her as the leader and therefore Sukyo Mahikari was now the true religion.
These are two instances where information was embarassing and could discredit the organization if revealed. However, when there was no choice but to admit the truth, Sukyo Mahikari reluctantly came clean.
12. Members are encouraged to seek "guidance" from and to report everything to the leadership. Members are not encouraged to think for themselves nor to conduct their own independent research.
-Members of Mahikari are encouraged to speak with Kanbu when in doubt. Kanbu generally tell members that their doubts and discomfort with the organization is the result of an evil spirit/presence that is trying to pull them away from Mahikari. Normally the suggested cure for the doubts is to ‘ignore it, not think about it, and just give okiyome’. The possiblity of a mind controlling presence makes most members reluctant to trust their instincts about Mahikari as they do not know whether to trust their feelings as their own or as the feelings and thoughts of evil spirits. The Kanbu will also encourage the member to read only the available literature in the dojo to reinforce the members beliefs in Mahikari. All information on the internet that is not official material is considered written by evil spirits which have taken over the authors of all other literary works. Essentially, if the thoughts a person is thinking are not that Mahikari is the only way to God, the perfect religion, the word of the Lord…all other independent thought or speculation is of the devil or of evil spirits. If members see another Kumite swaying away from Mahikari, they are encouraged to speak with the person, discover what is wrong, and then tell Kanbu so they can step in.
posted by Asher Kennedy at 8:35 AM
3 Comments:
In terms of non-disclosure, I'd also add that financial statements were never revealed to members (at least not at any Dojos I've been at), as per Financial Year AGM reporting.
I'd like to make a flashing red neon sign out of the following sentence from the above post:
The possiblity of a mind controlling presence makes most members reluctant to trust their instincts about Mahikari as they do not know whether to trust their feelings as their own or as the feelings and thoughts of evil spirits.
That in itself should be more than sufficient to warn people of the enormous potential for being conned by Sukyo Mahikari.
Encouraging people to believe the above should be a criminal offence.
Great post regarding the donations and cash only policy. In reviewing Winston Davis' book, Okada is referenced as preaching on the "culture of lies" that promotes materialism. I guess he changed his mind when they took the kumites' money and went hog wild on gold for Suza. Considering that gold is now at record highs, they have themselves quite an investment if world currencies collapse...do you think they would share it with needy kumite if asked....???lol
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