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Omoto: The Great Origin, or Beginning

O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba was spiritual by nature and a follower of the Omoto religion. Omoto literally translates to "great origin." It was a new religious sect founded by an illiterate, but enlightened, woman named Nao Deguchi (1871-1947). This Shinto sect picked up popularity during the early twentieth century until the Japanese government suppressed the movement, destroyed their property, and imprisoned their leader. O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba became a believer in 1919 and maintained his relationship with them until his death in 1969. Many consider the influence of the Omoto religion to be the philosophical and spiritual foundation of aikido.

The four teachings and four principles, or rules, of the Omoto religion influenced O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and the development of aikido. The divine plan teaches human beings to lead a significant life. The basic teachings are (1) to harmoniously align ourselves with life and the universe, (2) to receive a revelation of celestial truth and its lessons, (3) to know the innate patterns of behavior for man, society, and the cosmos, and (4) to become aware of our instinctual creative drives. The four fundamental principles are (1) to gain purity of mind and body, (2) to maintain our optimism by believing in the goodness of the divine will, (3) to strive for progressive social improvement, and (4) to find the unification and reconciliation of all dichotomies. These principles are manifested throughout the universe. By practicing them, an individual can live in harmony with the universe and lead a heavenly life in spirit and body.