New Religions #12 New New Religion (1970’s-80’s) 4 September 2012 Masayo Urasaki

Today’s Class Goal １） To understand the New New Religion, “Kofuku-no-kagaku /Happy Science （幸福の科学） ” brief history. 2) To understand the social situation after Economic Rapid Growth in Japan. 3) Show the movie which producted HS "Rebirth of Buddha"

Kofuku no kagaku / Happy Sciences （幸福の科学） Establish: 1986 at Tokyo Members: 11,000,000 （ ? ） Founder : Mr. Ryuho Ookawa ( 大川 隆法） Born in 1956, Graduated Tokyo University Mr. OoKawa can contact with Higher Spirit since He wrote the text “ 正心法語 (shoshin hogo/Right mind and Dhamma)”, 太陽の法（ The Laws of the Sun)”

Teaching of Kofuku-no-kagaku Basic 4 Teachings for happiness. 1)Love Love the human beings. To give your love to others. 2)Knowledge Study the Buddha Dhamma. 3)Reflection Check your behaviors and correct according to Buddha Dhamma. 4)Development We have mission to develop our soul and build the Utopia in this world.

What is “the Idol” of Kofuku no kagaku? Idol of the faith The Lord, “El canta le” El canta le The Being of Eternal Sprit (They can appear as Buddha in India, Helmes in Greek, Now Mr.Ookawa in Japan)

Other Teaching Founder Ookawa published books over 600 books about Dhamma and Higher Spirit or the deceased famous person (Ex. Prince Shotoku, Saicho, Kukai, Nichiren,Jesus Christ,Confucius,Gandi) All Human being is “Child of Buddha” We all have Buddha Spirit The Essence of the human is the eternal spirit giving from the Buddha

Happiness within the world About the Economic Happiness Kofuku-no kagaku accept the “Economic Happiness/ Money ” If we have wisdom to use money, we would be happy, If not, it would be suffer. → Especially, Using for establish the Utopia is the most useful.

Orgnization and Activities Organization Shojya （精舎）： 28 Branch (In Japan) Junior and Senior High School (2010- ) Published Company Activities Seminar at Branch Event ( Ancestor worship) Volunteer activities Publish the Animation(1994- )

Strategy for Education as Ideal Environment to nurture a “True Elite” Happy Science Academy Junior and Senior High School (April 2010 ～ ) I believe in the power of education. I want to tell young people the importance of having dreams, having ideals, making efforts and having courage. I want them to cultivate the power that will change this country and this world into a utopia. (taken from the words of Master Ryuho Okawa on the foundation monument of the Happy Science Academy)

The Happiness Realization Party Built the Political Party in 2009 Main Policy → ・ Go together with “Spiritual happiness and Economic Happiness” ・ Strong Nation under the revision of Constitution General Election (2009) 337 candidate from HRP (more than LDP, DP) → But no one elected

Characteristics 1) No image of “Asceticism” No need to practice severely 2) Searching for Inner Enlightenment Welcome to economic success (Support Business and official person ) 3) Using Media / Publications Propagate the public, but not so invitation activities

From the view of Organization Theory New New Religion, like “Kofuku- no Kagaku” is organization which is not so spend much times has been built. → It might be change the characteristics. Especially, their Political attitude. Does they have much influence to Japanese Society ?