“Life is Art.” That’s the first of the 21 Precepts of Perfect Liberty Kyodan. Perfect Liberty Kyodan aims to bring about world peace. It teaches members to express their individuality.
Welcome to Perfect Liberty Kyodan. It is also known as the Church of Perfect Liberty. It is a Japanese new religious movement. Tokuharu Miki founded it in 1924. He was a priest in the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism.
Perfect Liberty Kyodan has a fascinating history. Miki Tokuharu, the founder, had a profound spiritual journey. He met Tokumitsu Kanada, who cured his asthma. Miki became his disciple. Kanada’s teachings had 18 Precepts. Three more were revealed to Miki. This led him to establish a new church.
In 1937, Miki Tokuharu and his son Miki Tokuchika faced arrest. The church was forced to disband. Tokuharu passed away the following year. After World War II, Tokuchika was released. He re-established the church under a new name. It became Perfect Liberty Kyodan.
The core teaching of Perfect Liberty Kyodan is “Life is Art”. It emphasizes shaping life like a work of art. The church lacks a strong sense of being conventionally religious. The object of veneration is the kami Omioyakami, or simply God.
Perfect Liberty Kyodan grew. It sent teachers to Brazil in 1957. Overseas missions flourished. Membership increased in North and South America. Computers were installed for administration. The group modernized its organizational management.
The church manages a golf course and the high school PL Gakuen. PL Gakuen regularly appears at national baseball tournaments. The headquarters of Perfect Liberty Kyodan is in Tondabayashi, Osaka Prefecture. It includes a hospital, the PL Peace Tower, a golf course, and a school.
The spiritual leader of Perfect Liberty Kyodan is called Oshieoya-sama. This means “Father of the Teachings”. The current Patriarch is Takahito Miki. He is also the vice president of Shinshuren. Shinshuren is the Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan. The second Patriarch, Tokuchika Miki, met two popes. He wanted to improve inter-religious cooperation.
Every August 1, Perfect Liberty Kyodan holds the PL Art of Fireworks. It commemorates the founders. The PL Peace Tower is a monument to war victims. It stands 600 feet tall.
The teachings of Perfect Liberty Kyodan are unique. They include 21 Precepts. These precepts guide members in their daily lives. They emphasize self-expression and harmony. “Live in perfect liberty” is the final precept.
Perfect Liberty Kyodan emphasizes the importance of individuality. It encourages members to express themselves. It promotes peace. It seeks to foster a world where everyone can live in harmony.
As you leave Perfect Liberty Kyodan, remember its message. Life is art. Express yourself fully. Strive for world peace. Let these principles guide your actions.