Sukyo Mahikari

Sukyo Mahikari is a Japanese new religious movement founded in 1959 by Kōtama Okada. The organisation emphasises spiritual purification through a practice known as the “art of True Light,” which involves radiating ‘Divine light’ from the palm of the hand to purify the spirit, mind, and body. The group claims to promote universal principles such as gratitude, humility, and acceptance. It is often referred to as a Japanese New Age movement.

1. Authoritative Leadership

Score: 3

Sukyo Mahikari is led by a central figure who holds significant authority within the organisation. The leadership structure is hierarchical, with decisions primarily made by the leader and top officials, allowing limited input from general members. When Kōtama Okada died in 1974, he was succeeded by Keishu Okada, his adopted daughter. This succession caused a rift and the group split into two, with Keishu leading the majority of members. She continued to lead the organisation in an authoritative manner until 2009 when Kōō Okada took over the leadership role, once again in an authoritative fashion.

2. Control Over Information

Score: 2

The organisation maintains control over the dissemination of its teachings and practices. Access to certain information may be restricted to higher-ranking members, and teachings are presented as absolute truths. This selective sharing of information helps maintain the leadership’s authority and control over the narrative.

While there are no direct physical restrictions, access to alternative information is controlled by means of psychological and spiritual coercion. Members are warned that external sources are tainted by deception, spiritual corruption, or malevolent influences. Engaging with outside perspectives is framed as a threat to one’s faith, moral purity, or spiritual well-being. This fear-based conditioning discourages critical inquiry, reinforcing dependency on the group’s teachings and isolating members from potentially contradictory viewpoints.

3. Deception

Score: 2

Former members have reported that initial interactions with Sukyo Mahikari are welcoming and non-confrontational, creating a sense of safety and belonging. However, as involvement deepens, members may be encouraged to adopt specific beliefs and practices, sometimes without full disclosure of the organisation’s deeper doctrines or expectations.

4. Exclusive Knowledge

Score: 3

The group claims to possess unique spiritual insights and practices, particularly the “art of True Light,” which they believe is essential for spiritual purification and resolving various problems. This knowledge is often portrayed as divinely inspired and not accessible outside the organisation.

5. Exploitation

Score: 2

There are accounts suggesting that members may be subjected to financial exploitation, such as being encouraged to make monetary donations to enhance the effectiveness of their prayers. Additionally, members might be expected to invest significant time and effort into organisational activities, which can lead to mental and physical strain. Engaging in "divine service" for the group is framed not only as an act of devotion but also as a crucial means of addressing personal karma. Members are taught that hardships in their lives—whether financial struggles, health issues, or emotional distress—are the result of unresolved karmic debts from past actions. However, by dedicating their time, energy, and resources to the organisation’s mission, they are assured that they can mitigate or even erase these karmic burdens. Service to the group is positioned as a sacred exchange, where acts of loyalty and labour are rewarded with spiritual purification and protection from future suffering.

6. Fear, Guilt, & Intimidation

Score: 2

Reports indicate that the organisation may use fear and guilt to maintain member loyalty. For instance, questioning the group’s teachings or considering leaving may be met with warnings about spiritual consequences or threats to one’s well-being, instilling fear and discouraging dissent. The above example of “divine service” demonstrates how fear, guilt, and intimidation is implemented in the belief system, as members internalise the idea that their well-being depends on their continued service, and continued wearing of their ‘holy pendant’, making it difficult to question or step away from the organisation without fearing negative karmic consequences.

Medication and immunisation are discouraged, as their teachings say that medication solidifies in the body, causing disease.

Additionally, concepts of “purity” are emphasised in such a manner that if something negative happens, e.g., car accident, physical illness, physical assault, etc., members are taught that they brought this on themselves due engaging with so-called negative energies, i.e., sex before marriage, doubting the group's teachings, forming close relationships with outsiders of a ‘low spiritual level’, or even entertaining critical thoughts about the leadership. Such misfortunes are framed as spiritual punishments, spirit disturbance, or signs of impurity, reinforcing a cycle of guilt and self-blame. Members are conditioned to believe that only by strict adherence to the group’s principles and continued devotion to its mission can they avoid further suffering. This instills deep psychological dependence, as individuals come to associate their personal safety and spiritual salvation with unwavering obedience to the organisation.

7. Isolation

Score: 2

While members are not explicitly prohibited from interacting with outsiders, the organisation’s organisation’s teachings and practices can create a sense of separation from non-members. This can lead to reduced interaction with those outside the group, as members may feel that outsiders do not understand or appreciate their beliefs. Member are encouraged to socialise with ‘high level’ members of society, to get them to join the group.

8. Micro-Management of Daily Tasks

Score: 2

Members’ daily lives are subtly but pervasively dictated by the organisation’s expectations, extending beyond spiritual practices into personal habits, clothing choices, and even modes of speech. They are encouraged to integrate the group’s rituals into their daily routines, such as regularly performing the “art of True Light” and attending meetings, which take precedence over personal responsibilities. Specific guidelines dictate acceptable attire, often emphasising modesty and adherence to symbolic dress codes that reinforce group identity. Strict rules are expected to be followed, eg., no swearing, always being grateful (even for negative experiences), refraining from frozen food (ice cream), not using a microwave, setting up and maintaining ancestor alters according to specific directions.

One particularly striking example of this control is the requirement to wear a holy pendant—a sacred object deemed more valuable than the wearer’s own life. Members are taught that this pendant serves as a protective spiritual force, and losing or damaging it is considered a grave misfortune, potentially inviting spiritual or karmic repercussions.

Speech is also monitored and shaped to align with the group’s ideology, with certain words or phrases discouraged while others, laden with organisational doctrine, become second nature. Over time, these layers of micro-management create an environment where personal autonomy is diminished, and members’ identities become increasingly enmeshed with the organisation’s dictates.

9. Monitoring Thoughts & Behaviours

Score: 2

Members’ daily lives are subtly but pervasively dictated by the organisation’s expectations, extending beyond spiritual practices into personal habits, clothing choices, and even modes of speech. They are encouraged to integrate the group’s rituals into their daily routines, such as regularly performing the “art Art of True Light” and attending meetings ceremonies, which take precedence over personal responsibilities. Specific guidelines dictate acceptable attire, often emphasising modesty and adherence to symbolic dress codes that reinforce group identity. Strict rules are expected to be followed, e.g., no swearing, always being grateful (even for negative experiences), refraining from frozen food (ice cream), not using a microwave, and setting up and maintaining ancestor altars according to specific directions.

One particularly striking example of this control is the requirement to wear a holy pendant— (omitama) – a sacred object deemed more valuable than the wearer’s own life. Members are taught that this pendant serves as a protective spiritual force that channels God’s Light, via the spiritual leader., and The pendant must not get wet, be worn back-to-front, placed on anything low, touch the body below the waist, and so on. Losing or damaging it is considered a grave misfortune, potentially inviting spiritual or karmic repercussions, and the need to write an apology for ones carelessness and failing to the spiritual leader, and the pendant has to be purified by a very senior staff member, or even sent to Japan for ‘repair’.

Speech is also monitored and shaped to align with the group’s ideology, with certain words or phrases discouraged while others, laden with organisational doctrine, become second nature. Over time, these layers of micro-management create an environment where personal autonomy is diminished, and members’ identities become increasingly enmeshed with the organisation’s dictates.

10. Punishment & Discipline

Score: 1

The organisation promotes adherence to its teachings and may monitor members’ commitment levels. Deviations or expressions of doubt might be addressed by leadership, encouraging conformity and discouraging independent thought. This can create an environment where members feel their beliefs and behaviours are being closely observed. While it is unclear to what extent social media is used for surveillance, members are actively encouraged to monitor one another and report any signs of wavering faith or disobedience to leadership. Additionally, leadership keeps records of past members and reportedly uses any misfortunes they experience after leaving—such as illness, financial hardship, or personal

struggles—as cautionary tales, reinforcing the belief that departing the group

leads to negative spiritual consequences.

There are many rules for correct behaviour, and it is easy to be ‘rude to God’ by getting something wrong or not being aware of the rule.

11. Thought Reform

Score: 3

The organisation employs systematic indoctrination techniques to align members’ beliefs with its ideology. This includes regular participation in rituals, acceptance of the group’s exclusive knowledge, and discouragement of critical thinking or exposure to opposing viewpoints, leading to a significant shift in members’ thought processes. The more challenging teachings, such as those about Atlantis and Mu, are held back until members are more indoctrinated, and attend higher level training.

12. Us vs. Them Mentality

Score: 3

Sukyo Mahikari fosters a sense of exclusivity, emphasising the possession of unique spiritual truths not found in other religions or belief systems. This can create an “us vs. them” mentality, where members view themselves as distinct from, and potentially superior to, non-members. Members are told they are "candidates for seed people" for the next civilisation, so being a member is not a guarantee of salvation, it just gives you a chance of surviving, as long as you do a lot of divine service. Members are told they are “candidates for seed people” for the next civilisation, so being a member is not a guarantee of salvation, it just gives you a chance of surviving, as long as you do a lot of divine service.

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Total Score: 27/36 Significant Harmful Cult

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This score suggests that Sukyo Mahikari exhibits high-control group characteristics, particularly in leadership structure, thought reform, and exclusivity. While not at the extreme end of all criteria, the combination of authoritarian leadership, control over information, and social manipulation raises concerns.

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Further Reading

• The Cult Vault (178) - #178 Sukyo Mahikari - With Special Guest Ronit Plank

• Mahikari Exposed

• Sukyo Mahikari, Inside And Out

• Seeing Red, Rants about the Japanese cult Sukyo Mahikari