What is Happy Science?

Happy Science is a universal religion based on faith in El Cantare, who is Buddha, God, the great consciousness of the universe. It was founded by Master Ryuho Okawa in Japan in 1986.

He explains, “I am now trying to teach a new view of humankind, of life, and of the world. Since ancient times, it has been said there is a huge tree in the universe. One enormous tree of life. You may believe that you are living your life separately, as an individual, but things are different when seen from a spiritual perspective. There is one large tree and the name of this huge tree is El Cantare. It has many large branches, which are the various races of different countries, which have been determined by different religions. In many different eras, various religions have appeared and many kinds of races have flourished. Some of these various branches may come together as a country. A branch divides again into separate countries and areas. Then these branches divide into smaller branches, and so on. At the very tip of a branch a cherry blossom blooms; this is one being. So your individuality exists at the very tip of a branch on this giant cosmic tree, and on the branch next to you are your companions that you can call your soul mates. So all souls are actually connected to each other. That is why I am telling you to love each other. To hate and hurt each other is to try to cut off the very branch you are sitting on. Hatred and war exists between races and religions because we cannot reach an understanding. But if we understand that we are branches on the same single tree, then war and hatred will vanish. The religion of Happy Science was made to teach that. I am trying to unite the world. I am trying to bring peace and abundance in the truest meaning.” [excerpt: Live a Life of Truth]