Aum Shinrikyo

1 9.9

A Japanese religious group that used violence, known for the 1995 Tokyo subway poison gas attack

proper noun

Offensive

: Aum Shinrikyo

The 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo was carried out by members of Aum Shinrikyo.

Examples

Internationally, Aum Shinrikyo became infamous due to its acts of domestic terrorism in Japan.
Internationally, Aum Shinrikyo became infamous due to its acts of domestic terrorism in Japan.
Authorities dismantled much of Aum Shinrikyo's operations after their leader was arrested.
The group Aum Shinrikyo is infamous for the Tokyo subway attack.
Did Aum Shinrikyo really believe in an impending apocalypse?
Authorities dismantled much of Aum Shinrikyo's operations after their leader was arrested.
The 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo was carried out by members of Aum Shinrikyo.

Synonyms

Aum

vsAum Shinrikyo

Offensive

2 9.9

A Japanese religious group that carried out a deadly subway attack in 1995

is the full formal name listing religious origins and founding details

Surface Forms

Aum Shinrikyo main

Morphology

Aum + Shinrikyo

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical organization; its identity and notorious actions are not compositionally derived from the constituent parts. Even if a learner knows 'Aum' (a religious group), 'Shinrikyo' is opaque and the full referent (a doomsday cult responsible for the Tokyo sarin attack) cannot be inferred from the words alone.

Etymology

Aum Shinrikyo gets its name from the holy sound Aum and the Japanese word Shinrikyo, which means 'true teaching'. The name sounded spiritual and strong and helped the group gain followers, but today Aum Shinrikyo is known as a dangerous cult that carried out violent attacks.