Macakkanism
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Macakkanism (Alawese: ᨆᨌᨀᨀᨘᨊᨁ Macakkung, Kawalian: ᮙᮎᮊ᮪ᮊᮥᮔ᮪ᮌ᮪᮪, Huranian 亮教 liàngjiāo) is a Isuan religion based upon the teachings of the prophetess Aru. It emerged in the realm of King Daeng Mariok during the Alawokambese Thalassocratic Period, and was subsequently spread via trade interactions and conquest across Isuan. The world's Xth largest religion, Macakkanism is practiced by over XXX million adherents who are known as Macoes. Several divergent sects have emerged as the religion spread, the most dominant being the Lankung (Old law) and Barukung (New law) schools.
The core of Macakkanism is based on the recognition of two fundamental forces which make up all of the universe, Macinnong (goodness, purity) and Ajakeng (evil, malevolence). Macakkanism posits that these two forces are in constant opposition within every atom of the world, and that it is this dialectic relationship which underpins existence. Practice is based on the worship of a singular deity, Patotoé, who is referred to as the origin of destiny and all order. His opposite, Majasédi, is therefore the incarnation of chaos. The religion holds that the two deities are uncreated, and have competed in the creation of all of existence in an attempt to overpower one another. Followers attempt to live a life based on the teachings of the religion, believing that good begets good and bad begets bad. Macakkanism also believes in reincarnation, which is governed by the same principles of reciprocity.
Doctrines
Two fundamentals
At the heart of Macakkanism are the "two fundamentals", metaphysical elements which are present within every single part of existence. The two fundamentals are Macinnong, which represents order and purity, and Ajakeng which represents chaos and suffering. As these two forces are opposed to each other, they react and it is this force of opposition which drives being and existence. In the teachings of the Lankung school, the two fundamentals lack any sort of moral connotation and are purely abstract, a position which is rejected by the Barukung tradition which proclaims the moral superiority of Macinnong and importance of order.
Cosmology
Macakkanism holds that the two fundamental forces are uncreated and through their constant interaction are constantly creating new actions and beings, in effect positing a form of cyclic time whereby all physical matter is merely allegorical for this overall struggle. This cosmology therefore allows for the existence of many different realms, one of which being the mortal plane. Macakkanism believes that while local areas may be dominated by one of the two fundamentals, the cosmic balance is completely equal and every action has an opposite reaction.
Theology
Macakkanism is generally considered to be a dualist pantheistic faith in general, though some schools are considered to resemble monolatry in their singular focus upon Patotoé. For all schools, the concepts of deities are loosely defined, with more focused placed on the importance of the two fundamentals that they respect than in individual piety to a god.
The faith proposes the existence of two primary deitys, Patotoé and Majasédi, who are each said to embody one of the two fundamentals, but recognises the existence of other minor deities and folk deities, who are referred to as Viceregents. This has allowed Macakkanism to assimilate local religious beliefs, aiding in its proselytism efforts.
Individual deities often represent local traditions and natural phenomena. For example, Ballasa is a deity who represents the wind and who is represented differently across different cultures. Offerings are often made to these deities as opposed to the primary deities, as they are believed to have greater influence over people's lives.
Ethics
Macakkanism has a complex ethical standpoint, which differs between the different traditions of the school. The Lankung school, which is regarded as the more traditional of the two major schools and which places less moral importance on the two fundamentals, holds a position which valorises balance in all affairs between order and chaos. The ideal for personal conduct is a sort of "managed spontaneity", which involves adherence to a moral code while remaining flexible and unaffected. It condemns excessive asceticism as well as avarice, promoting a middle way focused on self reflection and awareness of the contradictions within one's self.
In opposition, the Barukang tradition's ethical position is far more rigid. Isuanologists such as Hans Vogel have proposed this as a result of interactions between the faith and more morally coded religions as Macakkanism spread outside of its Alawokambese hinterland. In these schools, Macinnong is equated with moral goodness, and the focus is not upon maintaining balance but cultivating Macinnong through good deeds.
Reincarnation
The Macakkanist belief in reincarnation is a product of its belief that the two fundamentals exist in permanent opposition. As this dialectic which produces life is not ended with death, life will inherently be continued within another body. This process is described by the Macakkanist adage that "good begets good, and bad begets bad". Through this, a being who had cultivated more Macinnong will be reborn into a state with the same makeup of Macinnong and vice versa. In the Barukung tradition, this is the eventual goal and adherents aim to be reborn within the realm of Téposioro, which is composed purely of light.
