Sukyo Mahikari (Japanese new religion)
Japanese new religion founded by Yoshikazu Okada (1959) practising 'okiyome' palm-radiation purification. Split into multiple successor branches after Okada's 1974 death.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
0 — Japanese new religion with distinctive 'true light' palm-healing practice; moderate control.
In context
Mahikari teaches that members can radiate 'true light' (okiyome) from their palms to purify spirits and resolve illness. After Okada's 1974 death the movement split between Sukyo Mahikari (Keishu Okada lineage) and Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan (Sakae Sekiguchi lineage). The CLCI captures documented patterns of substantial donations, family pressure, and replacement of medical care with okiyome.
Key control doctrines
- Okiyome palm-radiation healing practice
- Omitama pendant as required initiation
- Yoshikazu Okada as authoritative founder
Legal cases & controversies
- 1974 succession schism
Evidence by BITE axis
- Members purchase omitama pendant for okiyome practice
- Substantial donations expected
- Daily okiyome practice
- Members attend regular dojo gatherings
- Mahikari theological materials authoritative
- Outside critical material discouraged
- Okada's revelations as authoritative
- Spirit-attribution framework explains misfortune
- Family pressure to remain in Mahikari
- Mild fear-based teaching about spiritual impurity
Timeline
- 1959Yoshikazu Okada founds the movement
- 1974Okada dies; succession split
Sources
- Catherine Cornille academic work
- Multiple ex-member accounts
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Search the source title plus the group name to find the original.
Recovery resources
See the full curated list at /resources.