Aum Shinrikyo

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Anti-Aum Shinrikyo protest

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Aum Shinrikyo (now known as Aleph) is a Japanese doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. Initially, it presented itself as a new religious movement combining elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, with a focus on yoga and the spiritual teachings of Asahara. However, it gained international notoriety for its criminal activities, including terrorism, murder, and the infamous Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995.

Beliefs and Practices

Aum Shinrikyo's teachings centered around the belief that the end of the world was imminent, and that only its members would be saved. Asahara claimed to be a reincarnation of both Jesus Christ and the Buddha, and he preached that he could transfer spiritual power to his followers and ultimately lead them to salvation. The group practiced a range of rituals, from meditation and yoga to more extreme acts that were said to purify its members.

Criminal Activities

The cult's activities took a dark turn in the early 1990s. Aum Shinrikyo began a series of violent acts, including the murder of a lawyer who was working on a case against them, along with his wife and child, in 1989. The most notorious act was the Tokyo subway sarin attack on March 20, 1995, when cult members released sarin gas on several lines of the Tokyo subway during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring thousands.

Following the subway attack, Japanese authorities conducted a series of raids on Aum Shinrikyo facilities, uncovering a vast array of chemical, biological, and conventional weapons. Asahara and many of his followers were arrested and charged with multiple crimes.

Aftermath and Legacy

In the aftermath of the attacks, Aum Shinrikyo was designated a terrorist organization by several countries. Shoko Asahara was found guilty of masterminding the subway attack and several other crimes and was executed in 2018. The group, which renamed itself Aleph in 2000, has disavowed Asahara and his teachings, claiming to have reformed. However, it remains under surveillance by Japanese authorities.

The Aum Shinrikyo attacks had a profound impact on Japanese society, leading to stricter laws regarding religious organizations and increased counter-terrorism measures. The events also raised global awareness about the potential dangers of cults and religious extremism.