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Japan New Religions
A number of religious organizations are generally
labeled "new
religions" (shinko shukyo), although some date back
to the
early nineteenth century. The largest are Soka Gakkai
(Value
Creation Society), Rissho Koseikai (Society for the
Establishment
of Justice and Community for the Rise [of Buddhism]), and
Tenrikyo
(Religion of Divine Wisdom), with more than 17 million, 6
million,
and about 2.5 million members, respectively, in the late
1980s.
Both Soka Gakkai and Rissho Koseikai are offshoots of the
Nichiren
Shoshu sect of Buddhism. Tenrikyo was once considered an
offshoot
of Sect Shinto but is now regarded as independent of other
divisions of Shinto. Some of the larger of these new
religions are
active internationally as well as in Japan.
No one category can be used to describe all of the new
religions. What distinguishes them from popular or folk
religions
is their claim to an organizational status equivalent to
Shinto or
Buddhism. Their teachings are diverse, but most syncretize
elements
of Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, and other beliefs. Most
emphasize
the dependence of the living on kami, the Buddha or
Buddhist
figures, or ancestors. Some, such as Tenrikyo, are
monotheistic and
stress individual salvation. For example, Rissho Koseikai
adherents
gather in small groups to discuss religious issues and
problems of
daily life. Most of the new religions provide special
support to
their adherents through small group meetings and encourage
solving
problems through ritual and proper behavior. Many stress
harmonious
relations with others, hard work, and sincerity as the way
to a
better life.
Most of the new religions were founded by charismatic
lay
people, often women, who had experienced transforming
spiritual
episodes and felt called upon to convey these experiences
to
others. They stressed lay participation, involving small,
local,
face-to-face groups as well as national organizations.
They
encouraged direct contact with the supernatural, and some
groups
practiced faith healing and mutual support techniques.
People who
joined these groups often did so in response to personal
problems,
but many found continuing fulfillment through their
emphasis on
returning to traditional values.
Data as of January 1994
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