A divine revelation in 1929 and the subsequent healing of his daughter served as the catalyst for the creation of Seicho-No-Ie, a Japanese movement centered on the principles of infinite life, wisdom, and abundance. This initiative emerged after years of intellectual pursuit and the critical translation of international literature into his native tongue.
Academic and Spiritual Foundations
Masaharu Taniguchi began his formal education at Waseda University in Tokyo, where he focused on the study of English literature. Outside of the university setting, he engaged with the writings of Fenwicke Holmes. His commitment to this field led him to translate Holmes' work, The Law of Mind in Action, into Japanese. Before establishing his own organization, Taniguchi was a member of the Oomoto movement, which operated under the leadership of Onisaburo Deguchi.
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In 1930, Taniguchi launched the Seicho-No-Ie magazine to disseminate his philosophy. The organization experienced a period of growth throughout the 1930s, though it encountered suppression during the years of World War II. In 1952, he collaborated again with Fenwicke Holmes to co-author The Science of Faith, solidifying his role as a writer and leader in New Thought circles.
Publishing and Later Life
Taniguchi authored an extensive body of work, beginning with the 1937 publication of Truth of Life, Vol. 1. His bibliography includes diverse titles such as Divine Education and Spiritual Training of Mankind, You Can Heal Yourself, and various entries in the multi-volume Truth of Life series. His final publications appeared posthumously, including The Taniguchi Commentary on the Gospel According to St. John in 1988.
Death and Commemoration
Taniguchi died in a Nagasaki hospital on 17 June 1985 at the age of 91. His remains are held in two locations: the Seicho-No-Ie Sōhonzan spiritual headquarters in Saikai, Nagasaki, and the Taniguchi family plot at Tama Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1893, Kobe
- Died: 17 June 1985, Nagasaki
- Education: Waseda University
- Key Organization: Seicho-No-Ie
- Notable Co-author: Fenwicke Holmes
- Burial Sites: Tama Cemetery and Seicho-No-Ie Sōhonzan
Questions readers ask
What is the primary meaning behind the name Seicho-No-Ie?
The name translates to home of infinite life, wisdom, and abundance.
Where are Masaharu Taniguchi's ashes located?
His ashes are split between the Seicho-No-Ie Sōhonzan spiritual headquarters in Nagasaki and the family grave at Tama Cemetery.
