What if happiness could be quantified studied and even taught? That is the central idea behind \u5e78\u798f\u306e\u79d1\u5b66 or Happy Science. We are standing before a ten-story building in Tokyo the headquarters of a new religious movement.
Happy Science was founded by Ryuho Okawa in 1986. Okawa’s followers consider him the incarnation of a supreme being from Venus. Some have described Happy Science as a cult. However it has grown into a significant organization with various divisions. These include IRH Press Happy Science Academy Happy Science University and the Happiness Realization Party. Happy Science aims to bring happiness to humanity by spreading truth. Okawa published spiritual messages that claim to channel religious and historical figures.
The basic teachings of Happy Science include Exploration of the Right Mind and The Fourfold Path. The Fourfold Path consists of love that gives wisdom self-reflection and progress. To join Happy Science applicants need to aspire to seek truth. They also should actively contribute to love peace and happiness on Earth.
Happy Science members believe in reincarnation angels demons heaven hell and aliens. They attend training courses and qualification seminars to move up in the hierarchy. The Happiness Realization Party a political wing advocates for Japanese military expansion. It supports nuclear deterrence. It denies historical events like the Nanjing Massacre and the comfort women issue.
Happy Science worships El Cantare the Highest God of Earth. They believe El Cantare was first born on Earth 330 million years ago. El Cantare has been worshipped as Elohim Odin Thoth Ophealis Hermes and Shakyamuni Buddha. Ryuho Okawa is believed to be the current incarnation.
Happy Science has facilities in Japan and other countries. These facilities include Shoja and Shoshinkan. The first overseas branch Happiness Science USA opened in New York in 1994. Happy Science also operates boarding schools in Nasu and \u014ctsu Japan.
Happy Science has faced controversy. It is often regarded as a cult. The group had a bitter rivalry with Aum Shinrikyo. Aum members attempted to assassinate Okawa using VX nerve agent. Happy Science has released promotional videos claiming North Korea and China plan to destroy Japan. The group sold spiritual vaccines and virus-related blessings making false claims about immunity.
Hiroshi Okawa Ryuho Okawa’s son left the movement and became a critic. He called his father’s work complete nonsense. Ryuho Okawa denounced Hiroshi as demonic.
Happy Science has produced animated movies live action films and documentaries. These promote their beliefs.
Whether seen as a spiritual haven a controversial cult or something in between Happy Science certainly presents a unique perspective on how to achieve happiness and utopia in our world.