Our practice is not “religious” but “philosophical.”
In addition to his study of various Japanese martial techniques (bujutsu), Aikido’s founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba (“O sensei”), pursued religious practices such as Shintoism and Shingon Buddhism. Indeed, many founders of Japanese traditional martial arts (budo) and techniques were religious practitioners.
However, the second Doshu, Master Kisshomaru Ueshiba, along with other masters, gave Aikido its organizational structure and training methods. It has now spread worldwide, with Aikikai associations and organizations in 140 countries as of 2018 (*Aikikai website).
In principle, dojos in all those countries and regions follow the same customs and practices as those in Japan. These facts alone indicate that Aikido is a martial art and way of practice that is universal across races and religions.
