Shinji Shumeikai

Shinji Shūmeikai (神慈秀明会) (often abbreviated to Shumei) is a Japanese new religious movement and organization founded in 1970 by Mihoko Koyama. Prior to founding the organization, she was president of the Shumei Church, the largest internal association of the Sekai Kyūseikyō (世界救世教, Church of World Messianity), and founded the organization as a spin-off of the Church of World Messianity. The purpose of the organization was to promote the health, happiness and harmony of all people by applying the insights of Mokichi Okada, the founder of Church of World Messianity. According to the organization, the founder is not Mihoko Koyama, but Mokichi Okada.[1][2]

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.

The head organization is currently based near Shigaraki, Shiga, Japan.

About the founder, Mokichi Okada (Meishusama)

"It was through illness that I was privileged to become God’s Student."—Meishusama

Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1882, Meishusama (Mokichi Okada) 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 (Mokichi Okada) 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[3] and "natural agriculture", a method of food cultivation.[4] They also practice johrei, a type of spiritual healing.[5] Adherents of Shumei believe that, in building architectural masterpieces in remote locations, they are restoring the Earth's balance.[6]

Influence and architecture

The Miho Museum was commissioned by Mihoko Koyama, who was an adherent of Okada.[7] The architect I. M. Pei had earlier designed the bell tower at Misono,[8] 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.[9]

References
  1. Reif, Rita (16 August 1998). "ARTS/ARTIFACTS; A Japanese Vision of the Ancient World". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  2. Melikian, Souren (6 November 1997). "A Splendid Art Collection Goes On Display in Japan". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  3. Rosenblatt, Arthur (2001). Building type basics for museums. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 32. ISBN 0-471-34915-1. shinji shumeikai.
  4. "Shumei - Our Environment". Shinji Shumeikai. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  5. "Shumei - jyorei". Shinji Shumeikai. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  6. Sharlet, Jeff (2008). The Family: power, politics and fundamentalism's shadow elite. Univ. of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3694-5.
  7. Baker, Kenneth (18 November 2007). "Miho Lets Art Speak For Itself". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  8. "Shumei - Art and Beauty".
  9. Vivian M. Baulch (August 14, 1998). "Minoru Yamasaki, world-class architect". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
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