Happy Science (幸福の科学 Kōfuku-no-Kagaku) is a new religious and spiritual movement founded in Japan on 6 October 1986 by Ryuho Okawa with over 12 million followers in 85 countries . Happy Science became an official religious organization in Japan, March 7, 1991. In the USA, Happy Science has been a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 1994. In February 2008, the official English name for the group was changed from the Romanized Japanese Kofuku-no-Kagaku (literal translation "science of happiness") to the English rendering "Happy Science". Their former English name was "IRH - The Institute for Research in Human Happiness" which is still the name for their publishing company "IRH Press".
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The basic teachings of Happy Science are "Exploration of the Right Mind" and the "Principles of Happiness". The latter consists of the Fourfold Path (Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection, and Progress). Okawa claims to channel the spirits of Muhammad, Christ, Buddha and Confucius and claims to be the incarnation of the supreme spiritual being called El Cantare. Happy Science claims that El Cantare is the true hidden name of the Heavenly Father in the Old Testament; Elohim a.k.a. in the Middle East as the God of creation; 'El' and in other ancient cultures of the world as 'The Cosmic Tree of Life' and 'The World Tree'.
Although its teachings are based on the Buddhist foundations of reflection and keeping "Right Mind", it also incorporates modern day prosperity and development in order to improve oneself and society. The teachings, given by founder Ryuho Okawa are said to be universal and center on the pluralistic belief that all major religions originated from one source.
According to Okawa, in order to obtain happiness one must practice the four Principles of Happiness known as 'The Fourfold Path' which consists of; Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection and Progress. The only requirement to join Happy Science is that applicants must have "the aspiration and vision to seek the way and contribute to the realization of love, peace and happiness on earth".
According to The Japan Times, "for many, the Happies smell suspiciously like a cult".[1] Happy Science has released promotional videos that claim North Korea and the People's Republic of China are plotting to invade and colonize Japan after first subduing it through nuclear warfare.[1]
Happy Science is one of many Japanese new religions, or shinshūkyō, which are looked upon unfavorably by the mainstream press and public. Even though Happy Science protested against Aum Shinrikyo before the 1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, comparisons have been drawn between the two groups[1] and they often clashed in the media during the 1990s.[2]
Happy Science have been noted for their use of high profile marketing company Dentsu Corporation, the largest advertising company in Japan, to implement their strategy.[3]