Happy Science Strikes Again

I enjoy living in a secular society. The countless Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines I have visited, I have appreciated for their aesthetic beauty and architectural intricacies, and observed for their secluded silence or holiday festiveness. Yes, of course religion (and a long history thereof) is present here. But while the majority of Japanese people self-identify as Buddhist, I have heard that for the majority of this majority, religion is not practiced actively. People attend funerals. They take part in holiday customs derived from religious beliefs. But much of this is solely for tradition's sake, not due to personal beliefs. I've read that if anything, Japanese society could be described more superstitious than religious. And I suppose that if Japan were truly a significantly Buddhist country, vegetarian food would be easier to find. The Rebirth of Buddha. Posters and pamphleteers littered the sidewalks, advertising this film, which was released on Oct. 17. Once again surfaces the Happy Science organization, to which I became acquainted during a recent Shizuoka-ken election.

The animated movie is based on a book by Ryuho Okawa, the founder/leader/god figure of the Happy Science religion, centered here in Japan, but with a fringe following worldwide (Happy Science has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City).

Folks more familiar with the literature of this new religion than myself have summarized its founder as such: Ryuho Okawa quit his business career in 1981 when he achieved enlightenment and gained the ability to channel the spirits of figures ranging from Buddha and Jesus to Thomas Edison and Sakichi Toyoda (founder of Toyota). Okawa’s channelings have been documented in over 100 books, ranging 200-300 pages each. His (or his channeled spirits’?) predictions include Martin Luther and Nichiren being reincarnated, and the U.S. sinking into the ocean and being replaced by Atlantis (don’t worry…not until the 25th century). Okawa can channel Greek gods, too. And apparently when channeled, the gods show quite an interest in modern Japanese economic policies. Hey now, Happy Science just wants to make the world a better place.
I am curious, though not enough to warrant sitting through this movie, even with the coupon and candy that accompanied my pamphlet. In happier news, the Michael Jackson movie was released here at the same time as in the U.S. I saw it—highly entertaining, though it was also pretty freakin’ evident the man was nearing death—and of course all the middle-school boys are now singing “Beat It” and attempting to moonwalk. Still, I wait to see Where the Wild Things Are and Zombieland.