"The new organization will not have a guru, and the position of founder Asahara will be confined to the subject of meditation. Since he will be regarded only as a spiritual existence, he will not be in the position to give orders to the followers. We define Lord Shiva and Buddhas as the fundamental subjects of our adoration. In our context, a guru means an interpreter of scriptures. There have been a lot of gurus in the past and we do not define guru as the unique and absolute being."
Aum Shinrikyo

January 1, 1970