Cult Worship - Japan

March 1998
Despite the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway by the Supreme Truth movement twelve years ago, Japanese cults are more popular than ever.

Many personality cults imbued with some quasi-Buddhism are attracting huge followings.

On a hillside outside the ancient capital of Kyoto a dramatic festival takes Place. Nearly half a million people are going to witness the lighting of sacred pyres. This cult is dedicated to a former failed businessmen who was jailed for tax fraud. Whilst other Japanese might have committed suicide out of shame, The Most Reverend Seiyu Kiriyama, Chief Abbot, has found himself the ultimate tax haven: his own religion and a band of adoring, deep-pocketed followers. There's a great sense of pageantry and showmanship at the festival, and for a mere $30 you can buy a blessing.

An ironic look at Japan's ballooning cult activity.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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News & Politics

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• Japan
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• Kyoto
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[MasterCorruptor]

follow me in ''the cult of the lamppost''

my cult strongly believe in the fact that we come closer to a nirvana like state by staring into bright light 2 hours daily.

You know you want to.

I AM YOUR GOD !

[dowlinglewis]

They gather as much money as they can, for sure.

[zambimaru]

Just another pyramid scheme mascaraing as a religion. 

[andy7666]

@Therion131 I agree she is far too sarcastic for a sensible documentary, no faith is greater or worse than any other (within reason, I suppose if people TRUELY believe in an idea) and she is doing lots of head shaking, but still I think religions are essentially large cults - there is little difference other than sheer numbers.

[andy7666]

All religions are "cults", they are the same thing.. Take a step back from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism etc. - they are ridiculous, but of course the adherent will say "No, MY Iron Age belief system is correct - its pure common sense!".

[Therion131]

The ritual outfit and such being also a clear sign of Shugendo influence, your typical Japan Shinto/animist-Buddhist mix with some entertainment value and hey members of the group gotta eat and maintain there pageantry, people like it so why not. Are they tossing any babies into the fire, are they reviving a 'dangerous' current of Japanese fanaticism, making terrorist threats, and harassing any set group of people like small Christian 'cults' like to do? Looks like a poor Documentary.

[Therion131]

@Therion131 Truth is that the line between cult and religion is pretty hazy, we just call any religious expression ]we don't like or don't want to give the time of day too, the derogatory label cult. Some basic research shows that Agon Shu is essentially just another manifestation of Buddhism which is based around the Agama/Agon scriptures, one of the earliest texts of Buddhism (much like the Pali Canon) mixed in with esoteric ritual which is common, think Shingon, Tendai, and Tibetan Buddhism.

[Therion131]

New religious expressions spring up all the time, I find this documentary to be frankly kind of condescending, "pageantry" and "theatrics" yea no shit you find that in any spiritual expression that has an active priesthood and ceremonial style. They put up a little song and dance, well so do various churches, and they expect some donations/offerings as well. DIVINATION well yea others call it prophesy and within the Japanese mindset fortune telling isn't seen as anything negative.

[Shinkajo]

and christianity is somehow more valid?

[232323C]

@NewKadampaCult oh so funny......

[matreyia]

beware of rituals - Buddha.