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Late 7th-century woodcut of Soucius

Zohism (Tuchanese: 鄒家 Zōujiā; lit. 'School of Zou'), also known as Shan (Tuchanese: 禪 Shàn) is the world's largest religion, and one of the world's oldest continuously practiced religions. Zohism is a monistic faith, with elements of henotheism and atheism, centered on an eschatological cosmology dealing with self-salvation and spiritual liberation. It also encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on the original teachings of Soucius. It originated in ancient Tuchan in the 8th century BCE, and, after a period of intense suppression, spread through much of Catai, Sifhar and Majula. Three major extant branches of Zohism are generally recognized: Towko (Tuchanese: 透過镜子 Tòuguò jìngzi; lit. Seeing through the Mirror), Changdaw (Tuchanese: 長道 Zhǎngdào; lit. Elder Way), and Porsouta (Tuchanese: 婆娑塔 Pósuōtǎ; lit. Dancing on the Tower)

All Zohist schools share the goal of overcoming the cycle of death and rebirth, through the processes of Daduan (fracturing) and Hsuyue (renewal), though they differ on the specifics and rites performed. They also vary in their interpretation of the path to self-liberation, and importance and canonicity ascribed to the various Zohist texts, and their specific teachings and practices. Widely observed practices include chanting the Kaoshu, communal incantation, acts of penance and contrition, purging of the Tsui (vices, or sins), and cultivation of the Meite (virtues, or perfections)

Zohism is believed to have began in the 8th century BCE as a sect of the Paichia, the Hundred Schools. Despite intense persecution, Soucius and his followers were able to establish hidden and underground communities across Tuchan. It soon attracted dissidents

Zohism and Zohist ethics played a prominent role in the development of civilization in Arabekh, Majula, and Catai. Zohists are the majority in Catai and Sifhar, and also have widespread following in Majula, and Savai. Significant Zohist communities can also be found in Vestrim, Rennekka, and Asura.

Beliefs

Abyss

Main article: Hsukung

The Climb Down by Vassilis Scafidakos

Tower

Main article: Kaota

Base of the Babaraan by Iason Ganas

Paradise

Main article: Tiantang

Chakela

Main article: Chakela

See also: Zhuming and Soucius

Deep Soul

Main article: Hunshen

Practices

Avowal

Main article: Kaoshu

Behold!                                                                             看哪
This realm is an artifice, there dwells only the Abyss.      领域技巧只有深淵
I might not but fall.                                                            我可能會倒下
By virtue of, I am lost.                                                       憑藉我迷路了
The Abyss is an artifice, there lies only the Tower.           深淵技巧只有塔
I might not but rise.                                                           我可能會上升
By virtue of, I am found.                                                    憑藉著我被發現
The Tower is an artifice, I am all.                                      塔的技巧我全部
When this forgery is forswore, mine chains are broken.   偽造時地雷鏈斷裂
I am free                                                                            我自由了

"Declaration of Soucius " (Tuchanese: 鄒子宣言; pinyin: Zōuzi Xuānyán)

The avowal, or Kaoshu, is the basic creed of Zohism that should be recited under oath with the specific statement:

"The World is a lie, there is only the Abyss.
I must descend.
Through the descent, I am broken.
The Abyss is a lie, there is only the Tower.
I must ascend
Through the ascent, I am anew.
The Tower is a lie, there is only me.
When the lie is rejected, my chains are broken.
I am free."

The Kaoshu is not necessary for conversion to Zohism, but it is an essential step for beginning one's journey into the Abyss. To become a Kaoche, one who has recited the creed, it must be witnessed, and attested for, by a monk. It may be recited in any language, though for attestation it is expected to be recited in Liturgical Tuchanese

Incantation

Main article: Chowyu

Ablution

Main article: Muyu

The cleansing pool in Guirao Temple

Ablution, known as Muyu, is both a necessary facet of Zohist life and one of its most sacred rituals. It is a process of ritual purification by which a person cleanses themselves of impurities. It is divided into two components, the Putong (ordinary), and the Tebie (special). The Putong Muyu, a partial wash involving washing the face, hands, and feet, is divided into the Rijian (diurnal), and the Huanghun (vespertine). The Rijian is performed at dawn or noon, while the Huanghun is at dusk or midnight. Barring a context that makes perfoming it impossible, it is compulsory for one ordinary ablution to be performed per day. The water used must have dwelt in light, either from the sun or moon, for at least an hour.

The Tebie Muyu is performed once every year, on the Huantian, and is commonly performed at holy pool inside a Zousi. It is also performed for newborns three months after birth, and as a coming of age ceremony for girls at 12 and boys at 14. It is a full wash, involving complete submersion for five to ten seconds, and may be performed several times. The water used for the ceremony must include a drop from the Shuideng Cave, and must have a source of constant natural light. It is compulsory to have performed it at least once in a lifetime.

Contrition

Main article: Fengxian

Concatenation

Main article: Jilian

History

Life of Soucius

Main article: Soucius

Schools

Towko

Main article: Towko

Changaw

Main article: Changdaw

Porsouta

Main article: Porsouta

Culture

Ancient

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  Laomiao Temple, in the Cataian country of Tuchan

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  Shuideng Cave, in the Cataian country of Tuchan