The Mahikari organization was founded based on a revelation dated February 27, 1959. Okada said that this revelation related to the mission of bringing purification to the world and humanity. Thus, he founded the organization, "L.H. Yokoshi Tomo no Kai". In 1963, he registered the organization under the name "Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan".
Okada claimed that he received a revelation from the Creator God, Mioya Motosu Mahikari Omikami, or simply, "Su God." He mentioned his role to pioneer the introduction of the art of True Light, a method of spiritual purification that cleanses the spirit, mind, and body, and serves as an expedient to attaining happiness. Okada claimed that the world was approaching a time of great upheaval, "baptism by fire," in which humanity will be cleansed through abnormal weather, social turmoil, and so on. He emphasized that humanity had entered this period in earnest from January 1, 1962. Okada said an increase in what he called the spiritual energy of fire would result in phenomena such as flooding, cold snaps, and potable water would becoming increasingly scarce. He said humankind needed to work hastily to develop techniques of turning sea water into drinkable water. The holy scriptures of Mahikari consist of The Holy Words and The Yōkōshi Prayer Book.
Religious organization with similarities
Other religious organizations that have similarities include Oomoto, Sekai Kyūsei Kyō, Tenrikyo, and Konkokyo. For example, in Sekai Kyūsei Kyō, a practice called Johrei is undertaken. A number of practices channel universal energy but it is noted that the emphasis in Mahikari is radiating Light from the Creator God, which purifies the spirit, mind, and body, and is made possible through a divine pendant called Omitama.
Other Influences
''Hikari wa tōhō yori'' (Light will come from the East)
"In a collection of sermons we find a chapter entitled “Light will come from the East,” which explains that the founders of the world's major religions realized their teachings were revealing a part of the ultimate truth, and that eventually teachings disclosing the entire truth would emerge from the East.
Mahikari organizations
The following organizations were influenced by the world-view and practices of Yoshikazu Okada:
1959 : "L.H. Yokoshi no Tomo no Kai". The start of the Mahikari organization.
1963 : "Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan" – nominal membership – 50,000 to 100,000 worldwide. The Mahikari organization became registered as a religious organization in Japan.
Offshoots of the above Mahikari organizations include: "The Light Center",, "Suhikari Koha Sekai Shindan" – nominal membership – 4,500, "Yokoshi Tomo No Kai" , and so on.
Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan
Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan is the name of the Mahikari organization founded by Yoshikazu Okada, based on "Yokoshi Tomo no Kai", which was founded in 1959. Yoshikazu Okada was the organization's first spiritual leader . After the founder's passing on June 23, 1974, a dispute surrounding succession arose. The case reached an amicable settlement in which Sakae Sekiguchi became the leader of Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan, and Keishu Okada became the leader of Sukyo Mahikari. Sukyo Mahikari established the World Shrine in Takayama in 1984, and Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan established the "Su-za World Main Shrine" in Mount Amagi on the Izu Peninsula on August 23, 1987. On January 3, 1994, the Reverend Seisho became the third spiritual leader of the organization.
Sukyo Mahikari
is the name of the organization founded by Keishu Okada in 1978, the adopted daughter of Yoshikazu Okada. The Sukyo Mahikari headquarters is located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Sukyo Mahikari is affiliated with the , a museum that was opened in 1999 based on the tenet proclaimed by the founder Kotama Okada, "The origin of the earth is one, the origin of the universe is one, the origin of humankind is one, and the origin of all religions is one." The museum aims to protect and promote local culture as well as foster international exchange and understanding of ancient civilizations.
Suhikari Kōha Sekai Shindan
Suhikari Kōha Sekai Shindan was founded in 1980 by the spiritualist and manga artist Kuroda Minoru. Kuroda is a known for his themes of ghost stories or the curses of spirits. Kuroda had been a follower of Yoshikazu Okada and Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyōdan. After Okada's death, Kuroda left that organization and established the "Shūkyō Dantai Kōrin" in 1980, registering the group as an independent religious body under the Religious Corporations Law. In 1984 the group assumed its current name. Its headquarters are in Hachiōji City, Tokyo.
