Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 26
The Crimes and Teachings of Aum Shinrikyo
Hiroshi Hirata, Attorney at Law
Heiwa-No-Mori Law Office
Abstract
The beliefs and crimes of Shoko Asahara‘s Aum Shinrikyo and societal
responses, police in particular, are reviewed. It is concluded that the most
important lesson to be derived from the case of Aum is that authorities must
be prepared to enforce existing laws when violated by religious organizations
as vigorously as they do when violated by nonreligious organizations.
Aum Shinrikyo is a Buddhist-type religious group whose teacher and leader is Chizuo
Matsumoto, known most commonly as Shoko Asahara (his Aum Shinrikyo name). Aum
Shinrikyo began as a small yoga center in a local area. The group gradually grew over time
and began to organize. It officially took the name ―Aum Shinrikyo‖ in 1987, when it legally
became a religious corporation.
Aum Shinrikyo (hereinafter Aum) claims to be a ―Buddhist religious group, which worships
Siva as its main God.‖ In reality, however, the special character of Aum‘s teachings has to
do with ―supernatural powers‖ and the ―end of the world ideology.‖ Aum teaches that:
1. If people obey and act based on the secret teachings emanating from Tibet ages ago
and according to the guidance and leadership of Asahara, then those people can in a
number of years be ―emancipated from the world‖ and gain supernatural powers.
2. Based on its interpretation and analysis of the Book of Revelations (John) in the New
Testament of the Christian Bible, Armageddon or the Third World War would occur in
1999. Therefore, Aum‘s philosophy maintained that if several tens of thousands of
people could be emancipated and gain supernatural powers vis-à-vis Asahara‘s
guidance, then the number of people who perished at Armageddon would decrease.
Asahara called himself the Christ, the Prophet, the last Savior of this Century.
In the past Asahara prophesized that before long Mt. Fugi would erupt and Japan would
sink into the ocean. When this prophecy failed, Aum claimed that Asahara‘s
supernatural power had deferred the prophesied havoc. The failure of Asahara‘s
prophecy that the Third World War would begin in 1999, however, currently awaits an
―explanation‖ since Asahara, who has been in jail since 1995, has not commented.
Aum claims to have about 30,000 followers, but in reality about 10,000 people Actually
subscribe to Aum, with only a few thousand believers leaving their homes to become Aum
members. It should be noted, however, that following Aum‘s Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo
Metropolitan Subway System, over half of Aum believers left the group. At present, Aum‘s
estimated membership is 1,000, with several hundreds of these believers leaving their
homes to join Aum. In 1995, Aum had facilities in 12 different cities throughout Japan as
well as other branches in New York, Bonn, and Moscow.
Aum’s Ambitions and Crimes
Asahara’s Ambitions
Asahara and Aum aimed to conquer the world, meaning that the purpose of the ―Japan
Shanbara-ization plan‖ was to establish Aum in cities throughout Japan and make and
expand Aum communities (Lotus Villages) in various areas of the country. It was Asahara‘s
ambition to ―Shanbara-ize‖ or ―Aum-ize‖ the world.
The Crimes and Teachings of Aum Shinrikyo
Hiroshi Hirata, Attorney at Law
Heiwa-No-Mori Law Office
Abstract
The beliefs and crimes of Shoko Asahara‘s Aum Shinrikyo and societal
responses, police in particular, are reviewed. It is concluded that the most
important lesson to be derived from the case of Aum is that authorities must
be prepared to enforce existing laws when violated by religious organizations
as vigorously as they do when violated by nonreligious organizations.
Aum Shinrikyo is a Buddhist-type religious group whose teacher and leader is Chizuo
Matsumoto, known most commonly as Shoko Asahara (his Aum Shinrikyo name). Aum
Shinrikyo began as a small yoga center in a local area. The group gradually grew over time
and began to organize. It officially took the name ―Aum Shinrikyo‖ in 1987, when it legally
became a religious corporation.
Aum Shinrikyo (hereinafter Aum) claims to be a ―Buddhist religious group, which worships
Siva as its main God.‖ In reality, however, the special character of Aum‘s teachings has to
do with ―supernatural powers‖ and the ―end of the world ideology.‖ Aum teaches that:
1. If people obey and act based on the secret teachings emanating from Tibet ages ago
and according to the guidance and leadership of Asahara, then those people can in a
number of years be ―emancipated from the world‖ and gain supernatural powers.
2. Based on its interpretation and analysis of the Book of Revelations (John) in the New
Testament of the Christian Bible, Armageddon or the Third World War would occur in
1999. Therefore, Aum‘s philosophy maintained that if several tens of thousands of
people could be emancipated and gain supernatural powers vis-à-vis Asahara‘s
guidance, then the number of people who perished at Armageddon would decrease.
Asahara called himself the Christ, the Prophet, the last Savior of this Century.
In the past Asahara prophesized that before long Mt. Fugi would erupt and Japan would
sink into the ocean. When this prophecy failed, Aum claimed that Asahara‘s
supernatural power had deferred the prophesied havoc. The failure of Asahara‘s
prophecy that the Third World War would begin in 1999, however, currently awaits an
―explanation‖ since Asahara, who has been in jail since 1995, has not commented.
Aum claims to have about 30,000 followers, but in reality about 10,000 people Actually
subscribe to Aum, with only a few thousand believers leaving their homes to become Aum
members. It should be noted, however, that following Aum‘s Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo
Metropolitan Subway System, over half of Aum believers left the group. At present, Aum‘s
estimated membership is 1,000, with several hundreds of these believers leaving their
homes to join Aum. In 1995, Aum had facilities in 12 different cities throughout Japan as
well as other branches in New York, Bonn, and Moscow.
Aum’s Ambitions and Crimes
Asahara’s Ambitions
Asahara and Aum aimed to conquer the world, meaning that the purpose of the ―Japan
Shanbara-ization plan‖ was to establish Aum in cities throughout Japan and make and
expand Aum communities (Lotus Villages) in various areas of the country. It was Asahara‘s
ambition to ―Shanbara-ize‖ or ―Aum-ize‖ the world.
