(often abbreviated to Shumei) is an international spiritual fellowship and organization founded in 1970 by . Prior to founding the organization, she was president of the Shumei Church, the largest internal association of the , 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 Mokichi Okada (岡田茂吉 ''Okada Mokichi''; 23 December 1882 – 10 February 1955) was the founder of the World Church of Messiah, that later became the Church of World Меssianity. He also acted as the spiritual leader of Shumei and the Johr ...

, the founder of the Church of World Messianity. According to the organization, the founder is not Mihoko Koyama, but Mokichi Okada. 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 was a town located in Kōka District, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Population As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 13,885 and a density of 84.92 persons per km2. The total area is 163.5 km2. History On October 1, 2004, Shiga ...

, Shiga, Japan.

Founder

"It was through illness that I was privileged to become God’s Student."—Meishusama Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1882, Meishusama (

) 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 and "natural agriculture", a method of food cultivation. They also practice johrei, a type of spiritual healing. Adherents of Shumei believe that, in building architectural masterpieces in remote locations, they are restoring the Earth's balance.

Influence and architecture

The Miho Museum was commissioned by Mihoko Koyama, who was an adherent of Okada. The architect I. M. Pei had earlier designed the bell tower at Misono, 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 was an American architect, best known for designing the original World Trade Center in New York City and several other large-scale projects. Yamasaki was one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century. He and fellow architect Edward ...

References

External links

* {{Authority control Japanese new religions Religious organizations based in Japan Shinto new religious movements Shinto denominations Church of World Messianity Religious organizations established in 1970 1970 establishments in Japan Organizations based in Shiga Prefecture Kōka, Shiga Religions derived from Oomoto