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The name "Aum Shinrikyo" ( Japanese: オウム真理教) derives from the Hindu syllable Aum (which represents the universe), followed by the three kanji characters shin ("truth", "reality", "Buddhist sect"), ri ("reason", "justice", "truth"), and kyo ("teaching", "faith", "doctrine"). In 2000, the organization changed its name to Aleph (the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet), changing their logo as well.
In 1995 the group reported to have 9,000 members in Japan and as many as to 40,000 worldwide. As of 2004, Aleph membership is estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 persons.
Aleph's doctrine is based on the ancient Buddhist scriptures called Pali CanonThe Pali Canon is one the earliest existing scripture collections of the Buddhist tradition. They were reciting orally from the time of the Buddha and were put into writing in Sri Lanka in about 30 BCE. Written in the Pali language, these texts form the s. The collection comprises about 70 volumes, fully translated from PaliPli is a middle Indo-Aryan dialect or prakrit. It is most famous as the language in which the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism (also known as the Pli Canon or in Pli the Tipitaka) were written down in Sri Lanka in the 1st century BCE. Pli has been written language into modern JapaneseThe term Japanese can have several meanings: Japan Mainland Japan Japanese people people of Japanese ancestry living in Japan Ethnic Japanese people of Japanese ancestry living outside Japan Japanese-American an article primarily about the immigration and by the group's translation team. Along with the Pali Canon, Aleph uses other religious texts, including a number of Tibetan BuddhistTibetan Buddhism (formerly also called Lamaism after their religious gurus known as lamas), is the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and the Himalayan region. It is a school within Tantric Buddhism (also called V sutras, some Hindu yogic sutras and Taoist scriptures.
Some scholars of new religious movements view the Aleph's doctrine as a mixture of various traditions, arguing that a primary deity revered by Aleph followers is Shiva (a deity that symbolizes powers of destruction in Hindu tradition). In fact, the Aleph's Lord Shiva (also known as Samantabhadra, Kuntu-Zangpo or Adi-Buddha ) derives from Tibetan VajrayanaVajrayna Buddhism also known as Tantric Buddhism Mantrayana and Esoteric Buddhism is often viewed as the third major school of Buddhism, alongside the Theravada and Mahayana schools. Note that 'Yana' means 'vehicle' in Sanskrit. The Vajrayana is actually tradition and has no relations to Hindu Shiva. There is controversy at to which role ChristianityChristian cross and its many variations are widely recognized as an ancient Christian symbol. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. Although Christians generally chara plays in Aleph's doctrine, since it was mentioned in some of Shoko Asahara's books. Many refuse to classify Aleph as Buddhist for the fact that scriptures from other traditions are being used complimentary to Buddhist sutras. Anti-cult activistsThe term anti-cult movement was coined as part of the controversy surrounding religious cults. In the 1960s, middle-class youths in the United States started to follow new religious movements that were foreign to their families and often at odds with the and some scholars classify Aleph as a cult, mainly because of the violent history of its predecessor.
In the view of Shoko Asahara, the group's founder, the doctrine encompasses all three major Buddhist schools: Theravada (aimed at personal enlightenment), Mahayana (the "great vehicle", aimed at helping others), and tantric Vajrayana (the "diamond vehicle", which involves secret initiations, secret mantras, and advanced esoteric meditations). In his book Initiation he compares the stages of Enlightenment according to the Yoga-Sutra by Patanjali with Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path, stating these two traditions speak about the same experiences in different words.
Shoko Asahara has written a number of books, of which the best known are Beyond the Life and Death, Mahayana-Sutra and Initiation (translated into English). The books describe a process of attaining various stages of enlightenment and compare the descriptions provided in the ancient sutras with Asahara's own experiences. He also wrote comments to ancient sutras.
Aleph arranges studies in accordance with a special kogaku (learning) system, in which every next stage is approached only after examinations are passed successfully, similar to university education. Practice of meditations compliment the theoretical study.
Followers are divided into two groups: lay practitioners and samana ( monks and nuns), which comprise a sangha (monastic order). Laymen observe five basic buddist precepts and live with their families, the latter lead ascetic lifestyles, usually in groups.
According to Aleph's classification, a follower can attain the following stages by way of his/ her religious practice: Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mahamudra (sometimes called Jnyana Yoga), Mahayana Yoga, Astral Yoga, Causal Yoga and the ultimate stage, the Ultimate Realization. The overwhelming majority of such attainers are monks, though there are some lay Raja Yoga and Kundalini Yoga attainers. For a follower to be considered attainer, specific conditions must be met before senior sangha members recognize them as such. For instance, Kundalini Yoga stage requires reduction in oxygen consumption (which is measured by special sensors), changes in electromagnetic brain activity and reduction of heart rhythm (also measured). When the follower demonstrates such changes, it is recognized that they did in fact enter the samadhi state and thus deserves the title and permission to teach others. Each stage has its own requirements. Advancements in theoretical study do not give followers right to teach others, only meditation counts.