Shoko Asahara

Shoko Asahara (麻原 彰晃 Asahara Shōkō) (born March 2, 1955) is the founder and former guru of the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo (now known as Aleph), convicted of masterminding the 1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway as well as several other crimes. He was sentenced to death. As of September 2005, the sentence has not been carried out, pending an appeal.

Birth of Aum Shinrikyo

In 1987 Asahara returned from India and explained to his disciples that he attained his ultimate goal: the enlightenment. The immediate disciples offered money that he was now able to accept and thus financially helped to organize an intensive yoga seminar that attracted many people interested in spiritual development and lasted several days. Mr Asahara himself coached the participants. The group started to grow exponentially. There was no monastic order as such at the time.

Related Topics:
1987 - Grow exponentially

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That year Shoko Asahara officially changed his name and applied for registration of the group Aum Shinrikyo. The authorities were initially reluctant to grant the status of a religious organization and dragged out the registration process . The group was granted legal recognition after an appeal, in 1989. The monastic order was established and many of the lay followers decided to join.

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