Where We Worship
Sukyo Mahikari sees light as spiritual source

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Bob Shine of the Hawaii Center of Sukyo Mahikari gives light to a young follower. Adherents believe that giving and receiving universal light will help one grow spiritually. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Center of Sukyo Mahikari

Our affiliation: North American Region of Sukyo Mahikari, Orange County, Calif.

Where we are: 1127 California Ave., Wahiawa. The Sukyo Mahikari international headquarters and the Main World Shrine, known as Suza, are in Takayama, Japan.

Our numbers: There are members in more than 70 countries worldwide. The center in Wahiawa has an average daily attendance of about 66 members and guests.

Our director: Yoichi Toyoda; Gary Edmonds, assistant director.

What we believe: Sukyo Mahikari is a spiritual organization; sukyo is Japanese for "universal laws" and mahikari translates into "true light."

"The key point is to offer service to God and our fellow human beings in making the light available to whoever would like to receive (it)," Edmonds said.

Members believe that the light, which is also referred to as the true light of God, can be given and received by others, which is a technique for spiritual purification.

The technique involves two people, a giver and a receiver. The person giving light would hold out his or her hand about 12 inches away from the receiver's body to radiate a strong, purifying energy, he said.

"The spiritual purification and then how that manifests in someone's life really differs from person to person," Edmonds said. He said that many people say they feel relaxed and re-energized after receiving light.

The energy is basically believed by members to dissolve spiritual impurity and gradually allow a person to realize his or her full inner potential, as well as to progressively restore health and well-being.

The spiritual purification, which Edmonds said can take place anywhere, can last from 10 minutes, to a full session that lasts from about 40 to 50 minutes. The ability to give light is available to anyone over age 10 who completes a primary level seminar, he said.

"That's one of the nice things ... it's very much a practice of altruism," Edmonds said. "Somebody is making themselves available to directly serving another human being."

Our history: Sukyo Mahikari was founded in 1959 in Japan by Kotama Okada. After his death in 1974, he was succeeded by his daughter, Keishu Okada, the present spiritual leader of Sukyo Mahikari who continues his work.

Sukyo Mahikari began in Hawai'i when Sachiko Fujii, a housewife formerly of Japan, opened her Pearl City home in 1975 to members. Afterward, members met in various locations, including at centers in Pearl City, on Lusitana Street and on Dillingham Boulevard. The Wahiawa site opened in 1998.

What we're excited about: The center has several upcoming events that are free and open to the public, including participation in the 17th annual Hawai'i Seniors' Fair at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Members will be sharing information about the organization and giving light at the fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23.

The center will have an open house from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 30, as well as a picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at Magic Island.

What's special about us: The center, which is the only Sukyo Mahikari center in the state, welcomes people of any age, ideology, nationality, occupation or faith.

The center is open daily for those who are interested in learning about Sukyo Mahikari or receiving light. The hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

"Basically people can come by at any time when we're open," Edmonds said. "There's no need to make an appointment."

Edmonds added that the key to Sukyo Mahikari is experiencing spiritual purification.

"I would say the actual experience of the light" makes the organization so unique, he said. "It's really so wonderful."

Contact: 621-9220.

If you would like to recommend a church, temple or faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 535-8174 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.

Correction: Bob Shine was misidentified in the photo caption in a previous version of this story.