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Aum Shinrikyo was founded in 1987 by Shoko Asahara in Tokyo, Japan.
Answer: True
Aum Shinrikyo was established in 1987 by Shoko Asahara in Tokyo, Japan, evolving from an earlier yoga school.
Initiation rituals within Aum Shinrikyo reportedly involved the use of hallucinogens like LSD and extreme ascetic practices.
Answer: True
Reportedly, initiation rituals within Aum Shinrikyo included the administration of hallucinogens such as LSD and the performance of extreme ascetic practices.
Aum Shinrikyo's belief system incorporated elements from Hinduism, Christianity, and the writings of Nostradamus.
Answer: True
The belief system of Aum Shinrikyo was syncretic, drawing upon interpretations of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and the writings of Nostradamus.
In 1992, Shoko Asahara claimed to be the Dalai Lama.
Answer: False
In 1992, Shoko Asahara claimed to be 'Christ,' Japan's only fully enlightened master, and the 'Lamb of God,' not the Dalai Lama.
Aum Shinrikyo justified its violence by interpreting Buddhist concepts like *Mappō* and claiming that killing was a form of salvation.
Answer: True
Aum Shinrikyo justified its violence by interpreting Buddhist concepts such as *Mappō* and claiming that killing was a form of salvation for the victims.
Aum Shinrikyo taught that a nuclear apocalypse was predicted, caused by a conspiracy involving the United States and Freemasons.
Answer: False
Aum Shinrikyo taught that a nuclear apocalypse was predicted, caused by a conspiracy involving Jewish financiers, Freemasons, and war profiteers, not solely the United States.
The name 'Aum Shinrikyo' combines the Sanskrit syllable 'Aum,' representing the universe, with the Japanese 'Shinrikyo,' meaning 'Teaching of Truth.'
Answer: True
The name 'Aum Shinrikyo' is derived from the Sanskrit syllable 'Aum,' symbolizing the universe, and the Japanese term 'Shinrikyo,' meaning 'Teaching of Truth.'
What was the original name of the yoga school founded by Shoko Asahara in February 1984, from which Aum Shinrikyo evolved?
Answer: Oumu Shinsen no Kai (Aum Heavenly Sage Association)
The movement evolved from a yoga school established by Shoko Asahara in February 1984, initially known as Oumu Shinsen no Kai (Aum Heavenly Sage Association).
What was the theological orientation of Aum Shinrikyo characterized by?
Answer: Western millenarianism or millennialism
The organization's theology was characterized by Western millenarianism or millennialism, incorporating apocalyptic beliefs.
Aum Shinrikyo's belief system is described as syncretic, incorporating elements from which of the following traditions?
Answer: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Nostradamus's writings
Aum Shinrikyo's belief system was syncretic, incorporating elements from Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and the writings of Nostradamus.
What did Shoko Asahara claim about himself in a foundational book published in 1992?
Answer: He was "Christ," Japan's only fully enlightened master, and the "Lamb of God."
In 1992, Shoko Asahara published a book declaring himself to be "Christ," Japan's only fully enlightened master, and the "Lamb of God."
How did Aum Shinrikyo interpret the Tibetan Buddhist concept of *phowa* to justify its violence?
Answer: As a means to prevent enemies from accumulating bad karma by killing them.
Aum Shinrikyo interpreted the Tibetan Buddhist concept of *phowa* to claim that killing those who opposed the group was a form of salvation, preventing them from accumulating negative karma.
According to Aum Shinrikyo's teachings, what was predicted to cause a nuclear apocalypse?
Answer: A conspiracy involving Jewish financiers, Freemasons, and war profiteers.
Aum Shinrikyo's teachings predicted a nuclear apocalypse caused by a conspiracy involving Jewish financiers, Freemasons, and war profiteers.
Aum Shinrikyo's recruitment strategies included publishing animated cartoons that linked religious ideas to popular anime themes.
Answer: True
The group utilized public relations tactics such as publishing comics and animated cartoons that connected their religious concepts with popular anime and manga themes.
How did Aum Shinrikyo's recruitment efforts impact its public perception, particularly regarding the type of followers it attracted?
Answer: It attracted a significant number of graduates from elite Japanese universities, earning it the nickname "religion for the elite."
Aum Shinrikyo's recruitment efforts successfully attracted many graduates from elite Japanese universities, leading to the group being characterized as a "religion for the elite."
Aum Shinrikyo carried out the Matsumoto sarin attack in 1995.
Answer: False
The Matsumoto sarin attack, carried out by Aum Shinrikyo, occurred in 1994, not 1995.
Aum Shinrikyo was never accused of criminal activities before the major sarin attacks.
Answer: False
Prior to the major sarin attacks, the cult faced accusations of deception, holding members against their will, forced donations, and the murder of a member who attempted to leave.
Tsutsumi Sakamoto and his family disappeared in November 1995 and were later found murdered.
Answer: False
The disappearance and murder of Tsutsumi Sakamoto, his wife, and child occurred in November 1989, not 1995.
Aum Shinrikyo successfully caused an anthrax epidemic in Tokyo in July 1993.
Answer: False
In July 1993, Aum Shinrikyo attempted to cause an anthrax epidemic by spraying Bacillus anthracis spores, but the attempt failed, likely due to the use of a nonpathogenic vaccine strain.
Aum Shinrikyo tested its sarin on sheep in Western Australia.
Answer: True
Aum Shinrikyo conducted tests of its sarin nerve agent on sheep at Banjawarn Station in Western Australia, resulting in the deaths of 29 sheep.
The Tokyo subway sarin attack occurred on March 20, 1995, killing 13 commuters.
Answer: True
On March 20, 1995, Aum Shinrikyo members released sarin on five coordinated trains in the Tokyo subway system, causing 13 deaths and affecting hundreds of commuters.
Police discovered explosives, chemical weapons, and drug manufacturing labs at Aum Shinrikyo's headquarters.
Answer: True
Following the subway attack, police raids on Aum Shinrikyo's headquarters uncovered explosives, chemical weapons, drug manufacturing laboratories, and stockpiles of chemicals.
A hydrogen cyanide device found in Shinjuku station in May 1995 had the potential to kill 10,000 people if ignited.
Answer: True
A burning hydrogen cyanide device discovered in Shinjuku station in May 1995 could have released enough gas to potentially kill 10,000 commuters if it had not been extinguished.
Which deadly attack did Aum Shinrikyo carry out in 1995, involving five coordinated trains?
Answer: The Tokyo subway sarin attack
In 1995, Aum Shinrikyo executed the Tokyo subway sarin attack, releasing the chemical agent on five coordinated trains.
How did Aum Shinrikyo attempt to cause an anthrax epidemic in July 1993?
Answer: By spraying liquid containing Bacillus anthracis spores from a cooling tower.
In July 1993, cult members attempted to cause an anthrax epidemic by spraying liquid containing Bacillus anthracis spores from a cooling tower.
What was the immediate impact of the Matsumoto sarin attack on June 27, 1994?
Answer: It resulted in eight deaths and injuries to approximately 500 people.
The Matsumoto sarin attack on June 27, 1994, resulted in eight fatalities and approximately 500 injuries.
Which nerve agent did Aum Shinrikyo members synthesize in late 1994 and early 1995, using it to attack three individuals?
Answer: VX
In late 1994 and early 1995, Aum Shinrikyo members synthesized VX, a nerve agent used in attacks against three individuals.
What was the objective of the cult's break-in at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries factory at the end of 1994?
Answer: To steal technical documents related to military weapons.
The cult's break-in at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries factory aimed to acquire technical documents pertaining to military weapons.
What did police discover at Aum Shinrikyo's headquarters in Kamikuishiki following the 1995 subway attack?
Answer: Explosives, chemical weapons, drug labs, and stockpiles of chemicals.
Police discovered explosives, chemical weapons, drug manufacturing laboratories, and substantial stockpiles of chemicals at Aum Shinrikyo's headquarters.
What was the potential impact if the burning hydrogen cyanide device found at Shinjuku station in May 1995 had not been extinguished?
Answer: It could have released enough gas to potentially kill 10,000 commuters.
The hydrogen cyanide device found at Shinjuku station had the potential to release enough gas to kill approximately 10,000 commuters if it had not been extinguished.
What specific types of weapons or materials did Aum Shinrikyo attempt to manufacture or possess, according to the source?
Answer: Chemical weapons like sarin and VX, and drug labs.
Aum Shinrikyo attempted to manufacture chemical weapons such as sarin and VX, and also operated drug laboratories.
Hideo Murai, head of Aum's Ministry of Science, was murdered in April 1995.
Answer: True
Hideo Murai, who led Aum's Ministry of Science, was fatally stabbed outside the cult's Tokyo headquarters in April 1995.
In June 1995, Asahara admitted to ordering the killing of Kotaro Ochida in January 1995.
Answer: False
In June 1995, Asahara admitted to ordering the killing of Kotaro Ochida in January 1994, not 1995.
Fumihiro Joyu became the official head of the organization in 1999.
Answer: True
Fumihiro Joyu, a former spokesman, assumed the role of official head of the organization in 1999.
Who was Hideo Murai, and what happened to him?
Answer: He was the head of Aum's Ministry of Science and was stabbed to death in April 1995.
Hideo Murai served as the head of Aum's Ministry of Science and was murdered in April 1995.
What did Asahara acknowledge in June 1995 regarding internal cult activities?
Answer: He acknowledged ordering the killing of Kotaro Ochida in January 1994.
In June 1995, Asahara admitted to ordering the killing of Kotaro Ochida, a sect member who had attempted to escape, in January 1994.
The organization formerly known as Aum Shinrikyo is now called Hikari no Wa.
Answer: False
Aum Shinrikyo underwent a split, resulting in successor groups such as Aleph and Hikari no Wa. Therefore, stating it is now called solely Hikari no Wa is inaccurate, as Aleph is also a primary successor group.
Shoko Asahara and six followers were executed on July 6, 2018.
Answer: True
Shoko Asahara and six followers were executed on July 6, 2018, as punishment for the group's crimes, including the 1995 attacks.
Aum Shinrikyo was designated a terrorist organization only by Japan and Russia.
Answer: False
Aum Shinrikyo has been designated a terrorist organization by multiple countries and entities, including Russia, Canada, Japan, France, Kazakhstan, and the European Union.
Shoko Asahara was arrested on May 16, 1995, hiding in a building known as 'The 1st Satian.'
Answer: False
Shoko Asahara was arrested on May 16, 1995, at the cult's headquarters in Kamikuishiki, hiding within a building known as 'The 6th Satian.'
Shoko Asahara's trial was widely referred to as 'the trial of the century' by the press.
Answer: True
Shoko Asahara's trial garnered significant media attention and was frequently described as 'the trial of the century' by the press.
Aum Shinrikyo was ordered to be stripped of its status as a 'religious legal entity' in October 1995.
Answer: True
On October 10, 1995, Aum Shinrikyo was officially ordered to be stripped of its status as a 'religious legal entity'.
The group continued to operate after bankruptcy, funded by donations and a successful computer business.
Answer: True
Despite being declared bankrupt, the group continued its operations, supported by donations and revenue from a successful computer business, under the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
The organization officially changed its name to 'Aleph' in February 2001.
Answer: False
The organization officially changed its name to 'Aleph' in February 2000, not 2001.
When re-grouping as Aleph, the organization removed religious texts related to the Quran and the Bible.
Answer: False
When re-grouping as Aleph, the organization removed religious texts related to controversial Vajrayana Buddhist doctrines and the Bible, not the Quran.
In January 2015, the Public Security Intelligence Agency considered Aleph and Hikari no Wa to be independent religious groups with no ties to Aum Shinrikyo.
Answer: False
In January 2015, the Public Security Intelligence Agency considered Aleph and Hikari no Wa to be branches of a 'dangerous religion' and announced they would remain under surveillance, indicating they were not viewed as entirely independent.
Where was Shoko Asahara arrested on May 16, 1995?
Answer: At the cult's headquarters in Kamikuishiki.
Shoko Asahara was apprehended on May 16, 1995, at the cult's headquarters complex in Kamikuishiki.
What happened to Aum Shinrikyo's legal status in October 1995?
Answer: It was ordered to be stripped of its status as a "religious legal entity."
In October 1995, Aum Shinrikyo was ordered to be stripped of its status as a 'religious legal entity'.
What does the name "Aleph," adopted by the organization in February 2000, signify?
Answer: The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
The name 'Aleph,' adopted by the organization in February 2000, refers to the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Which of the following doctrinal changes did the group announce when it re-grouped as Aleph?
Answer: Removal of religious texts related to controversial Vajrayana Buddhist doctrines and the Bible.
Upon re-grouping as Aleph, the organization announced the removal of religious texts associated with controversial Vajrayana Buddhist doctrines and the Bible.
Who was the last remaining fugitive of Aum Shinrikyo to be captured, identified as the driver in the Tokyo gas attack?
Answer: Katsuya Takahashi
Katsuya Takahashi, identified as the driver in the Tokyo gas attack, was the last remaining fugitive of Aum Shinrikyo to be captured.
What did the Public Security Intelligence Agency photograph inside Aleph's facilities in 2013?
Answer: A bundle of papers pierced with a knife, including photos of employees and officials.
In 2013, the Public Security Intelligence Agency photographed a bundle of papers pierced with a knife on an altar-like object within Aleph's facilities, which included photos of PSIA employees and officials.
What was the significance of the "Aum affair" in terms of casualties and arrests?
Answer: 27 deaths and over 6,000 injuries, with 192 arrests.
The 'Aum affair' resulted in 27 deaths and over 6,000 injuries, leading to the arrest of Shoko Asahara and 192 other individuals.
What was the stated commitment of Fumihiro Joyu's group, Hikari no Wa?
Answer: To unite science and religion and focus on spiritual roots.
Fumihiro Joyu's group, Hikari no Wa, stated its commitment to uniting science and religion and focusing on spiritual roots.
In March 2016, Montenegro expelled foreigners suspected of being associated with Aum Shinrikyo. How many were expelled?
Answer: 58
In March 2016, Montenegro expelled 58 foreigners suspected of association with Aum Shinrikyo.
What was the alleged motive for the 2019 Tokyo car attack in Harajuku, where a man rammed his car into pedestrians?
Answer: Retaliation for the 2018 executions of Aum Shinrikyo members.
The alleged motive for the 2019 Tokyo car attack was retaliation for the 2018 executions of Aum Shinrikyo members.