Anomai

Anomai, also Aga Ma'i or Maism, is a religion founded and first spread in Jashnagar. Maism is considered both a spiritual and philosophical practice by its followers, and is concerned with the uplifting and transcendence of the individual and soul. Anomai states that the universe was created by a single god, whose presence maintains the universe and its function. This god and the universe are subject to the concept of Dam, an underlying and immutable force that permeates the core of all existence.

Maism postulates that life and the universe itself is impermanent, but not capable of a true end. In Maist doctrine, every action lingers in some form eternally, connected to Dam. Maists view the universe as cyclical, with death and endings only illusion. This view is justified by the principle that existence begets existence, and that once started cannot be stopped. As a result, Maists reject ideas of heaven or a hell, and view the afterlife as existence beyond current existence. Maist cosmology accepts the idea of additional universes, each with their own creator god, all connected through Dam.

Maist practitioners are concerned with the lingering of action and the direct effect of choices on the self and on others. Exemplifying higher virtue established by doctrine will not only be beneficial to the self and to others, but is what separates ones soul and existence from mindless creation. Anomai followers believe that humans are special by virtue of sentient choice, and must better exercise that in accordance with the faith to align themselves with god. An individual will pay for their negative actions eternally because the ripples from which are never destroyed, nor is the individual. Likewise, they will also reap the rewards of positive action eternally as well. As the individual receives the results from their conduct, so too will others.

Maism has no singular established scriptural text, but is instead spread out among a series of poems and epics that define doctrine. It follows heavily from monastic tradition, with teaching stemming down from monastic lineages. Anomai is divided among various monastic schools of thought, some of which hold traditions contrary to the primary modes of thought. It is notable for having a religious state in Jashnagar.

Etymology

The term "Anomai" translates literally into "Star God" in the Jash language, with "Aga Ma'i" doing the same in Pa'ea. Outside of the literal translation, it means "Path of the Stars" in reference to God and heaven. "Maism" was applied by Liran explorers when first encountering the religion, and has since been adopted as a form of title for Anomai followers, taking the root word "Mai" meaning "God". Thus Anomai followers take the terms "Maism" and "Maists" to mean followers or children of God.

History

The Anomai faith likely began as a mystical temple sect in the lower Jash kingdoms sometime between 200 BCE to 140 BCE, though Anomai followers traditionally state that the faith had always had a presence in Jashnagar if not elsewhere in the world.

By as early as 100 BCE, Maism has spread much further southward to the Pa'ea peoples, and began a slow inward crawl before becoming the dominant faith in the archipelago by the 12th century CE. Initial conversion was slow as the religion competed with other indigenous faiths. These domestic religious conflicts culminated in the War of Flames beginning in 1304 CE, where an archipelago-wide religious war was waged between Anomai followers and the now significantly dwindling followers of other faiths, with an Anomai victory firmly established.

After the War of Flames, outward expansion for the faith had become a focus, with monks acting as missionaries and the first armed crusades against foreign non-believers launched.

Bankara Temple, a ruined Anomai temple from 25 BCE

After the unification of Jashnagar under King Ilo'gnara, the A'sina priestess of Yuram was declared the physical link to God, and Anomai doctrine was officially codified by the state. This move formerly tied the religious and secular aspects of the Jashnagari government together, and established it as an authority for Anomai faithful worldwide.

Adherents of the faith continue to use missionary work as the primary form of conversion and as a result Anomai is a growing religion. Meanwhile, the Jashnagari military still hosts a "crusader" title for their armed forces, typically engaged in humanitarian aid where possible.

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