Observatory (Cotrism)

Observatories (Yen: 观, gun˧ in Zhou, literally meaning "place where the Way is observed") are religious buildings and institutions of Cotrism, featuring as its most basic organization. Observatories operate on the premise of continuously gathering more knowledge on the Way and communicate them to a population, though in this respect the latter is indistinct from the former as it is essentially part of the community observing the Way as a whole. Activities such as scientific research, development of spiritual theory, public seminars on Cotric learning and debate of doctrines take place at observatories.

The observatory is considered a fundamental unit of Cotric societies, being the main institution where doctrine and values are disseminated to the public, the primary schooling available to a community (in older times, and today in more traditional areas of Yidao), and a highly authoritative body in the locality where it is based. Observatories can vary in the magnitude of area served, the foci of research conducted, or simply the school of teachings it adheres to. The establishment of revolutionary social orders in various republics of Yidao in the 20th century has failed to entirely unseat the position of the observatory, which continues to be a major element of society and even politics, especially in more traditional areas.

Functions

Transmission of doctrine

Observatories primarily transmit Cotrism by two methods: general Lectures, and schooling the young. Lectures are large congregations open to the entire community where observatory Lectors communicate doctrine and teachings to the crowd by reading scriptures and texts, discussing doctrinal matters and answering questions. The community is thus informed properly on the Way and the path to attaining transcension.

Up until modern times the observatory was almost the sole means of education for the vast majority of Yen and other nations part of the Cotric sphere. In some eras and areas it was the only permitted schooling available. General knowledge as well as religious doctrine are taught to pupils in a nearly conceptually inseparable form. Lessons are not taught based on boundaries of age but rather the differences of pupils' prior attainment of Learning and understanding. Tuition fees are very rarely required and are sometimes forbidden. Observatories may also train and tutor aspiring scholars and clerics. This system of Cotric education based upon the observatory has further reinforced its public importance and historians such as Rohstian guy believe that it has been 'instrumental in indoctrination of Yidaoan populations with Cotrism'.

Regulation of orthopraxy

Observatories also have a duty in ensuring that the communities they serve practice good conduct as required by Cotric teachings, and generally prevent the spread of false, heretical learning. At the scale of national observatories, this means supervising the general morality of the entire population as well as ensuring the prevalence of orthodoxy in the country. The broad powers given to observatories regarding upholding Practice makes it a body capable of and frequently intervening in social issues and conflicts, using its religious authority to draft solutions and restore harmony, as well as generally imposing restrictions on societal norms and culture.

Staff

Each observatory has a staff comprising both certified clerics and various assistants that are responsible for its management and continued service of the observatory's purpose. The budget of observatories is reliant on donations from society, and more often, state support, due to the historical and modern role of Cotrism in politics.

Master

The Master (師) is the chief scholar and priest of an observatory, the figure ultimately responsible for its administration. Masters are a highly prestigious position even in local observatories and appointment to this role requires a great amount of experience as a cleric and near-flawless conduct, as reviewed by the authority of the District. In smaller observatories confined to the level of a small settlement, the Master may be the only real cleric who staffs the observatory. Masters direct the pursuit of Accomplishment and the propagation of Learning inside the observatory and are expected to be engaged in such activities themselves as well.

Masters are also socially prestigious and well-positioned, even at events and festivities with little ties to Cotrism itself (such as folk festivals), they may attend in prominent and important roles. They are frequently regarded as an important component of authority in the areas where their observatories serve.

Expert

Experts are clerics who primarily engage in research and development of the Way and Accomplishment in observatories. Depending on their field of specialization, experts may be actual scientists or clerics who are authoritative enough to debate and discuss doctrine itself. To conduct research at more prestigious observatories as an expert sometimes requires a degree of personal position as well.

Lector

Lectors are clerics who primarily engage in dissemination of Cotric doctrine to the public through events known as Lectures, where a Lector discusses Cotric tenets and contents of major scriptures to a gathering of people. Being able to serve as a lector usually requires some degree of proficiency and knowledge with scriptures and doctrine in general beforehand.

Architecture

The unassuming facade of a local observatory in southern Qyred.

The architecture of observatories has generally varied based on the architectural culture of the region it is situated in. However, the arrangement and design of observatories almost universally follow the system of geomancy as outlined in Cotric occultism to maximize the esoteric aspect of encouraging the development of Learning within its walls. There are thus elaborate and sometimes contradictory requirements on the positioning of temples and specific dimensions of architectural components such as pillars and roofs.

Observatories have a main hall for the reception of visitors and conducting congregational events, quarters for resident staff and scholars, 'laboratories' for investigation of nature, debate halls for development and consideration of doctrine and Accomplishment in general, libraries of classics and research materials, and optionally, peripheral temples to appease various local supernatural entities. These features are found in all observatories regardless of scale. The main hall's interior is always the largest of the observatory; any other individual component is forbidden from possessing greater dimensions than the main hall.

Yidaoan architecture has been the dominant form of observatory framework in history, but with the expansion of a Cotric population via Cheon immigration into Rennekka, as well as internal redevelopment of architectural doctrines and ideas, observatories have begun to adopt innovative and even revolutionary designs sometimes syncretizing with modern architecture. These new styles are mainly found in newly-built temples serving metropolises, as well as entire nations and districts.

See also

• Place of worship
• Unity of community
• Cotric science
• Cotric political philosophy
• Cotric education