(often abbreviated to Shumei) is a Japanese new religious movement and organization whose stated purpose is to advance health, happiness, and harmony for all through applying the insights of its founder,
Mokichi Okada
Mokichi Okada (岡田茂吉 ''Okada Mokichi'', 23 December 1882
He founded the World Church of Messiah, that later became the Church of World Messianity, and also is the spiritual leader of Shumei and the Johrei Fellowship. He is known by his fo ...
. Reverently known as Meishusama within Shumei, Mokichi Okada taught that a world free of sickness, poverty, and strife could be achieved through spiritual healing, a reverence for nature, and the appreciation of art and beauty.
The movement claims that no conflicts exist between itself and other spiritual paths that seek universal well-being. Its members come from diverse backgrounds, and many maintain and deepen their own beliefs while participating in Shumei. Further, Shumei holds that it maintains dialogue with people of all spiritual paths to promote tolerance and peace.
About the founder
"It was through illness that I was privileged to become God’s Student."—Meishusama
Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1882, Meishusama spent most of his youth suffering from poverty and various diseases. At the age of 37, Meishusama began searching for the spiritual meaning of life and joined the Shinto-related religious group Oomoto. Followers claim that miraculous events followed one after another after joining. In 1934, he started his own organization called the Kannon Society of Japan. He believed that Kannon, the deity of compassion, was empowering and guiding him.
Philosophy and practices
Meishusama taught that a world free of sickness, poverty, and discord is within everyone’s reach through the spiritual healing of Jyorei, the practice of Natural Agriculture, and the appreciation of Art and Beauty.
Shumei believes in the pursuit of beauty through art, appreciation of nature and "natural agriculture", a method of food cultivation. They also practice
johrei
Johrei , spelled ''jyorei'' by Shumei groups'','' is a type of energy healing, It that was introduced in Japan in the 1930s by Mokichi Okada, (AKA Meishu-Sama).
Practitioners channel light towards patients by holding up the palm of the hands tow ...
, a type of spiritual healing. Adherents of Shumei believe that, in building architectural masterpieces in remote locations, they are restoring the Earth's balance.
History
Shinji Shūmeikai was founded by
Mihoko Koyama
Mihoko (written: 美保子, 三保子 or 視穂子) is a feminine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include:
*, Japanese handball player
*, Japanese alpine skier
*, Japanese volleyball player
*, Japanese high jumper
*, Japanese ope ...
in 1970.
She founded the organization to spread the teachings of Mokichi Okada.
The head organization is currently based near
Shigaraki,
Shiga
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Shiga Prefecture has a population of 1,412,916 (1 October 2015) and has a geographic area of . Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Gifu Pr ...
, Japan.
Influence and architecture
The
Miho Museum was commissioned by Mihoko Koyama, who was an adherent of Okada.
The architect
I. M. Pei
Ieoh Ming Pei
– website of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
had earlier designed the bell tower at Misono,
the international headquarters and spiritual center of the Shumei organisation. Mihoko Koyama and her daughter, Hiroko Koyama, again commissioned Pei to design the Miho Museum. The bell tower can be seen from the windows of the museum.
Founders Hall was designed by Japanese-American architect
Minoru Yamasaki.
References
External links
*
Japanese new religions
Religious organizations based in Japan
Shinto new religious movements
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