Aum Shinrikyo

Aum Shinrikyo is a modern Japanese group that teaches a mostly Bhuddism based set of idea. In addition to buddhist texts, The Aum Shinrikyo also revere teachings from several other traditions including Kabbalah, Taoism, and Hinduism, as well as Tibetan buddhism. The charismatic leader of the group, until late in its existance, as a man named Shoko Asahara. He taught that the details of a religion were less important than 'true principles' which were present to certain degrees in many religions. He beleived that a religion should be tailored closely to the people involved, and incorporated many pop culture media like superhero movies and comics, even Azimov's foundation series was incorporated. In this way, the true principles would be more easily imparted. The group used a system of exams testing measurable acheivement in various spiritual disciplines to advance towards the goal of Final Realization. Members joined ministries of health, education, intelligence ect, to coordinate with other members with similar skills for the benefit of the group.

This organization received a lot of attention and its membership worldwide in 1994 may have been as great as 40,000. Hewever, the Aum Shinrikyo was even at this time manufacturing sarin gas, buying weapons, kidnapping and assasinating detractors. In 1995, the group deployed sarin gas in a coordinated attack on the Tokyo subway. This was possibly as a distraction from a scheduled police raid of an Aum Shinrikyo facility. If it was meant to keep eyes off their activities (which also included manufacture of methamphetamine and LSD, it failed, as the Aum Shinrikyo were thouraly investigated and many high ranking members were sentenced to death. Since then, the group has dwindled, but still exists in a somewhat different organization and teaching. Some people consider it to be a doomsday cult, but the actions taken by the Aum Shinrikyo in the nineties did not tie into their esoteric teachings. Noone knows why this seemingly innofensive take on multiple spiritual traditions took their violent turn.

What to Think, Wear.

The Aum Shinrikyo start practical, get methodical, and end in an irrational paranoid rage. Look for the value in widely disparate teachings. Do your homework, nothing can replace elbow grease and personal experience with metaphysical principles. And if people look at you funny, consider the possibilities for their ultimate downfall, and maybe don't be so concerned with consequences.

This cult was at one time known as 'the religion of the elite", so put on a nice suit and make sure your hair is clean and profesionally styled. Dress for success, think discipline, and look 'em straight in the eye.