Life and Teaching of Mokichi Okada (1882–1955)

March 11, 2015
Life and Teaching of Mokichi Okada (1882–1955)

This week's World Religions Cafe started with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan four years ago. Naohito Miura (MDiv '17), CSWR resident and Japanese citizen, expressed his gratitude for the prayers and reflections marking the fourth anniversary of the 3.11 earthquake, the aftermath of which continues to impact the lives of many.

For his cafe presentation, Miura shared his personal story and intellectual engagement with the life and teaching of Mokichi Okada (1882–1955). Okada, who is known as Meishu-sama by his followers, was a twentieth-century Japanese philosopher and spiritual leader. He envisioned a peaceful world free from disease, poverty, and conflict, in which people from different countries share a global awareness while at the same time maintaining their unique histories, cultures, and religious traditions.

Receiving the revelation about the Transition from Night to Day in the spiritual realm, Okada described  the coming ideal world as chijō tengoku (paradise on earth), a world embodying truth, virtue, and beauty in every part of life. For the purpose of constructing such a global community, Okada promoted practices such as Johrei, nature farming, and appreciation of beauty through nature and art.  

Among the themes discussed by the residents include Okada's unique—at times controversial—ideas about health, purification, healing, spirituality, and ethics. An estimated 1.2 million Johrei members claim to practice Okada's teachings in over 96 countries.

During his time at HDS, Miura hopes to explore Okada's teachings in conversation with other religious and spiritual traditions, as well as consider Okada's multi-faceted life as spiritual leader, writer, artist, art collector, businessman, farmer, etc. Miura is particularly interested in what Okada's life and teaching may have to offer citizens of the world living in the twenty-first century.

—By Naohito Miura