Yakurism

Template:Yakurasaya Yakurism, natively known as Yakurasaya or Swazrisaya, is a monotheistic ethnic religion consisting of the philosophical traditions, and spiritual practices associated with the Eisarean people, an ethnic group native to the Esquarian continent of Nordania. The religion revolves around the recognition that evil and suffering arises from the largely chaotic nature of the universe and the need that humanity needs to act to permanently restore order and stability to create a paradise on Esquarium.

Yakurism was developed in the 8th century by its prophet Yakur, who attempted to reform the fractured historical Eisarean religion into an organized and coherent religion. After his death, he was deified and became God according to Yakur tradition, centering the religion around him. In the centuries afterward, the old faith was gradually supplanted by Yakurism, however this accelerated when Eisarndal was incorporated into Hethland. Throughout Hethlandic rule, Yakurism would form the foundation of a national Eisarean identity and the nationalistic Sayavatu ideology.

Today there are around 18 million Yakurians, almost all of which lives in Eisarndal. Despite the country’s socialist nature, the government recognizes the religion’s prominence in the national identity. As a result, the country never suppressed the religion unlike many other socialist states and instead maintains a completely secular state. The modern Yakurian community is divided into various sects and cults with some minor differences in theological thought and emphasis on the worship of Yakurian figures.

Etymology

'Yakurism', the most used exonym for the religion, is from the name of the prophet and God, Yakur. Yakurasaya, one of the commonly used endonyms, derives the latter half of its name from the Old Eisarean word 'a saya' literally meaning the great truth. Swazrisaya is derived from Old Eisarean word 'swazri' which refers to the spiritual, esoteric side of the universe.

Theology and Cosmology

Foundations of Reality

A woven mede displaying Yakuric deities, the universe, humanity and the interactions between all three.

Ral is the fundamental and the Absolute reality and the source of all existence. As a metaphysical concept, it is the plan and the ultimate source of all changes to Ral, visible reality. The current stability of Asa reflects the condition of Ral and ultimately the lives of humans on Esquarium. Chaos constantly degrades the stability of Asa and inflicts suffering on humans and other living beings. Maintaining the stability of Asa is the fundamental duty of all Yakurians. Its stability is positively affected by several sources, some natural and some human-made. Notable auspicious events that occur randomly are seen the most potent but cannot restore stability completely. To ensure stability in the universe, they must follow the Karmar ethics and do Ka, good actions and avoid actions that sow Mat, chaos or harm. The potency of the actions are determined by several factors including intent, the number of affected, and how deeply they were affected. Kar actions adds stability while Mat actions subtracts from it.

Dyuz often simply translated as “power”, but it holds more abstract aspects of divinity and positive supernatural energy. Unlike its counterpart Chaos, it is a neutral but powerful force in the universe, although it may be mysterious and inexplicable. If Ral is the body of the universe, then Dyuz is its blood. It is believed it is the driving force in the universe and the cause of the seemly miraculous auspicious events in the world.