Shoko Asahara Timeline

By roulettedares

  • Chizuo Matsumoto is born.

    Chizuo Matsumoto, known later as Shoko Asahara, is born, partially impaired by congenital glaucoma. Matsumoto attended a school for the blind.
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    Religious beginnings

    Matsumoto graduates, has a family, and gains an interest in religion, joining a Buddhist group known as the Agonshu sect.

  • Failed Prospects

    Matsumoto pursued acupuncture and medicine as a profession, which was common for blind people. In June of 1982, Asahara was arrested and fined for violating health regulations, which was a motivation for him to turn to yoga
  • Spiritual Journeys

    Spiritual Journeys

    Starting in 1984, Shoko made many trips to parts of Asia seeking things like enlightenment, including meeting and allegedly receiving a blessing from the 14th Dalai Lama. He used his journeys to claim that he had gained visions of the end of the world, which he touted later on to increase his following.
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    Growing Influence

    Matsumoto breaks away from the Agonshu sect and opens a yoga clinic. He gains notoriety in the media and uses it to proclaim himself as a messiah and spread his influences/practices.
  • Beginnings of Aum Shinrikyo

    Beginnings of Aum Shinrikyo

    Matsumoto changes his name to Shoko Asahara, and rebrands his movement as “Aum Shinrikyo”, translating literally to “Supreme Truth”. His movement and following grow rapidly at this time.

  • The Turning Point

    Aum Shinrikyo gains state recognition as a religion, as a result of continuous protests and lobbying by its members. This was a major turning point for the cult’s prospects, as they now have special privileges that protect them from scrutiny.
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    Cult Turned to Terrorism

    Asahara uses the resources of his cult to amass biological and chemical agents, which he orders his group to use on several occasions. The violent public activities of the cult spanned from 1990-1995, including attempts at political assassination.
  • Tragedy in Tokyo

    Tragedy in Tokyo

    The activities of the cult culminated in the attack on March 20th, when Aum members boarded trains in the Tokyo Subway with bags of sarin gas, releasing it onto public citizens. 13 Japanese citizens were killed and some 3,000 to 6,000 more were injured.
  • The Arrest of Asahara

    The Arrest of Asahara

    Asahara is found hiding and is arrested for orchestrating the attacks.

  • The Uncertain End

    After several years of incarceration and trials, Asahara is found guilty on multiple charges and executed by hanging in Tokyo. Still, branching groups of Aum exist throughout the world.