Bottom 3 Japanese Cults (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–21 … My Adventures in Japan)

“Wreaking havoc by killing and spreading poison in certain peaceful neighborhoods”

Deep in the heart of Japanese culture, there exists a strong aversion to things that are different. Things like weird cults and so on. But on the surface, the Japanese do not want to be seen as being intolerant, judgmental, or disapproving in any way.  

Those nice spiritual folk … not!

Consequently, the weirdos of the Aum Shinrikyo cult were never suspected of engaging in nefarious behavior. Furthermore, they were not stopped or questioned, even after they became totally unhinged and started wreaking havoc on Japanese society by killing the cult’s presumed “enemies” and by spreading poison through certain peaceful residential neighborhoods where those “enemies” might be living.    

Only after the cultists released the highly toxic sarin gas on the crowded Tokyo subway did the cops realize that those sickos had to be prevented from doing any more harm.    _{(Image source)}

Evil is not OK. Controversy is OK. 

As for Soka Gakkai, it is somewhat controversial. Over the years, I’d heard plenty of bad stories about the group of lay Buddhists, and I had numerous friends and acquaintances tell me to stay clear of them. However, there’s really no evidence that the general membership has ever done anything criminal or even wrong.    

In fact, a friend of mine in India was a member of Soka Gakkai. She had joined while in high school, and she told me that during her high school years, she had been quite cynical about religion, and that during those years, her BS detector had been set at “High.”    

Meaning that, if Soka Gakkai had in fact been shady or even questionable, she would never have joined or even considered joining. She is a smart and very sensible woman, and I trust her judgment on this.    

Therefore, please consider the above comment on Soka Gakkai out of date. From all indications, it is nothing more than a group of lay Buddhists – ordinary citizens who go about their lives trying to do good and maybe even improve their society.       _{(Image source)}

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 3 Missing-in-Action

Top 3 Kidnappings

Top 3 Crimes against Humanity Suffered by the Japanese

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)}

_{Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}