Chapter 3 - The founder and the present spiritual leader

About this chapter

The Mahikari organisation was founded by Yoshikazu Okada, a Japanese man whose earlier life had been largely concerned with military, and later, business activities, fields in which he had not only achieved considerable success but also undergone severe challenges. Later in life, his dedication to God, spiritual ability and altruistic efforts for the salvation of humankind earned him the name Sukuinushisama, which means ‘Master of Salvation’ or ‘Great Saviour’.

This chapter gives a brief history of the founder – his birth into a family of samurai background, his education in the Military Academy, his experience in business, how the Mahikari organisation began with a revelation from God to him in 1959, and the various impressions people gained about him.

Sukuinushisama departed from the physical world on 23 June 1974. Ten days earlier, he received a revelation of momentous importance. God revealed that the spiritual leadership of the Mahikari organisation was to pass to his daughter. Her spiritual name up till then was Keijusama (‘Blessed Jewel’). In this way she became the present spiritual leader or Oshienushisama (‘Great Teacher’). This chapter gives an account of Sukuinushisama’s departure as well as the succession to his daughter, including the trials that she underwent, particularly the confusion there was amongst some people at the time of the transition.

Ordering the book

Single or bulk copies of this, and a previous publication, on Sukyo Mahikari can be ordered and sent to you. For details go to:

Book Orders >>

Comments from a reader

"Dr Tebecis' first book on Mahikari (which I read after his talk at a Rotary Club meeting), inspired me to become a Mahikari member in 1983, and I also used it over the years to help bring many people to this path. His latest book is even better. I found it easy to read and so riveting that I could hardly put it down when it first came out. I have had many enriching experiences as a Sukyo Mahikari member, including the restoration of my eye that had been blinded in an accident some 28 years earlier. Yet, I still learned many new things from the latest book, and familiar concepts were strengthened as well.

For instance, the reasons for some of the public confusion that took place when Oshienushisama became the second spiritual leader became clearer for me after reading the author's experiences. The same can be said for some of the misconceptions that have appeared on the internet.

As a Brahmin Indian, I was moved to read the inspiring words of the great yoga master, Swami Rama, about his association with Sukuinushisama, the founder of the Mahikari organisation. In fact, I am impressed by the fact that there is not only hope for religions to be united, but that the process has already begun. This book should help that process, I feel."

Jay Srirekam, musician, singer and songwriter, Vancouver, Canada