World Divine Light


World Divine Light, or the World Divine Light Organization, is a Japanese new religion. It is one of the Mahikari movement religions. Its headquarters, the Su-Za World Sōhonzan, is the largest of its kind in the Izu Peninsula.
World Divine Light is one of the several organizations that branched off from the original Mahikari religion founded by Kōtama Okada in 1959. Outside Japan, it calls itself the World Divine Light Organization to distinguish itself from Sukyo Mahikari, whereas in Japan it is known as Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyōdan or simply Mahikari. The organization was registered in 1963, and in 1974 Sakae Sekiguchi became the Oshienushi or spiritual leader upon Okada's death. On the other hand, Sukyo Mahikari was established in 1978 by Keishu Okada.

Spiritual leadership

The organization's spiritual leader is known as the Oshienushi or Oshienushi-sama :
  • First Oshienushi: Kotama Okada
  • Second Oshienushi: Sakae Sekiguchi
  • Third Oshienushi: Katsutoshi Sekiguchi

    Locations

In Japan, Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyōdan is headquartered in Hiekawa, Izu, Shizuoka, located in the mountainous interior of the Izu Peninsula. Its main temple is the Su-Za World Sōhonzan, which is often simply known as the "Su-Za".
Outside Japan, it calls itself the World Divine Light Organization or WDL to distinguish itself from Sukyo Mahikari. World Divine Light has branches in Houston, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, and Vancouver.