Reido

Reido (Akitian: 霊道, Reidō) is the indigenous religion of Akitsu and the people of Akitsu. It is largely an action-centered religion, with a focus on adherents to actively practice rituals so as to maintain what they believe to be balance between humans and Rei. The earliest recorded instances of Reido practices date back to 700 BCE, when Reido first began to emerge in Akitsu as a disorganized set of local mythologies. There was no concept of a unified "Reido religion" until after 232 CE, when religious figures from all over Akitsu met in Kobara and created the original Reiki, which has since become the main religious text of Reido.

The word Reido ("way of the Rei") was never adopted until after 232 CE, before which there was no single name for the Akitian religion. It was made by combining the two Nanji "Rei" (霊, which can mean "spirit" but in this case refers to an alternate form of life) and "Do" (道, meaning philosophical path or study). The word "Rei" can be loosely translated as "spirit", but in the context of Reido it does not refer to any beings spirit. Rather, the Rei are considered an alternate form of life, living in another layer of the world, with which the average person cannot interact with. Reido does not believe that there are any deities, rather that even the deities of other religions are but a type of Rei, and that they are simply extremely powerful Rei.

Reido is generally considered to be the largest practiced religion in Akitsu. According to some statistics, up to 80% of the population follows the religion. However, only a small number of Akitian identify themselves as "Reidoist", and in surveys 83% of the Akitian population has continually identified as irreligious. This is because in Reido it has long been the case that one does not have to believe in the teachings of Reido in order to take part in its rituals. The only people in Reido required to believe in its teachings are those with some form of religious duty, such as Priests, Priestesses, and Reishi. As such, when Akitians take part in religious rituals, most of them do not see themselves as taking part in a religious activity, rather they see it as a cultural activity.

History

Reido stated out as a disorganized set of local beliefs in Akitsu. The modern religion known as Reido didn't start to appear until during the Rokkoku Period of Akitian history. Even then Reido was highly decentralized and not uniform. All forms believed that there were being called "Rei" (霊) that exist in this world and that there is an equilibrium between humans and Rei that when disrupted causes various negative effects ranging from bad luck to huge natural disasters. However the regions differed on what they viewed the Rei as, some viewed the Rei as gods and goddesses while others viewed them as another form of life that just was different from what we are used to.

When the Kingdom of Shoku emerged in Akitsu, King Haku of Shoku decided that he wanted to make all the different regions of Akitsu more unified. One of the methods he tried to achieve this was by ordering that the various differing local belief systems of Akitsu be unified. To this end he had his administrators gather 10 experts on each regions mythologies and brought them to Kobara. The Daisaishi and Oomiko who were then given the task of unifying the different mythologies into a single, comprehensive understanding of the universe. These Daisaishi and Oomiko analyzed the various local belief systems and published the Reiki, the first known document of Reido and the document upon which almost all current practices of Reido are based on. There were many debates when creating the Reiki.

Two questions were hotly debated during the discussions before writing the Reiki. These questions were the question of the existance of gods and goddesses, and the question of the existance of an afterlife (eg, heaven and hell). In the end the Daisaishi and Oomiko decided that there were no gods or goddesses, that the Rei were simply another form of life, and that there was no afterlife per say but that there was a possibility for reincarnation for those that did good.

These Daisaishi and Oomiko then formed the Reishu in order to ensure that the various Shrines of Reido maintained similar teachings, though they did allow for small regional variations on the religion. The Reishu then established Kobara no Miya and started managing the many different scriptures of Reido in order to ensure that the religion stayed uniform.

The Reishu also formally recognized the Reishi, humans who had dedicated their lives to maintaining the equilibrium between humans and Rei, as an important part of Reido. There was an effort to give the Reishi the additional task of maintaining the unity of Reido, but this effort was abandon after facing stern resistance from the Reishi.

The Kingdom of Shoku then made Reido the official state religion and began the process of getting the various regional variants of Reido to adopt these new tenets. It took nearly the entire period of the Kingdom's reign, but they managed to do it to an extent that they found satisfactory.

Around 1229 CE, Reishi began traveling to Sainam in order to learn about other cultures. This was the first major attempt by the Reishi to learn about cultures other than that of Akitsu. In the process, Reido began spreading in Sainam.

Periodically Reido has undergone many changes as the Reishu have consistently been willing to change the teacings of Reido as the Reishi learn more about the natural world and the world of the Rei. One of the most significant changes in the history of Reido was the change of the view on homosexuality. Until this time it was common belief in Reido that homosexuality was unnatural and would therefore disrupt the balance between Rei and humans. However, around 1200 Reishi began reporting instances of animals engaging in homosexual acts, and asked the Reishu if homosexuality was truly unnatural. Initially the Reishu dismissed these reports as mere speculation, but as the reports piled up the Reishu began to take it more seriously. The reports kept piling up until in 1263, the Reishu made the "Declaration of the Acceptance of Homosexuality" (同性愛受入宣言). This was particularly major because it involved an amending of the Reiki.

Organizational structure

Reido has had it's own organizational structure since it became a first unified religion. The organization is headed by Kobara no Miya, which is the main shrine of Reido.

• Male heirarchy:

• • Reishu (霊主) - Reishu form the highest rank in Reido. Their job is to maintain order between the many different Shrines there are and make sure that information on Rei is uniform. They are chosen from amongst the ranks of the Daisaishi and/or Oomiko by the other Reishu. They also are the head of Kobara no Miya (小薔薇の宮), the main Shrine of Reido. There are only 10 Reishu (5 of whom are male) at any given time.
  • Daisaishi (大祭司) - High Priests in Reido. Usually they head major Shrines with several Saishi working underthem, though they sometimes work under the Reishu in Kobara no Miya.
  • Saishi (祭司) - Priests in Reido. They either work in major Shrines under Daisaishi, or head smaller regional Shrines with Shosaishi working under them.
  • Shosaishi (小祭司) - Priests in training in Reido. They work under Saishi in minor shrines.

• Female heirarchy:
  • Reishu (霊主) - Identical to the male Reishu. There are only 10 Reishu (5 of whom are female) at any given time.
  • Oomiko (大巫女) - High Priestesses in Reido. The female equivalent to the Daisaishi.
  • Miko (巫女) - Priestesses in Reido. The female equivalent to the Saishi.
  • Itako (巫子) - Priestesses in training. The female equivalent to the Shosaishi.

Beliefs

The core beliefs of Reido are layed out in the Reiki (Akitian: 霊記, "Records of the Rei").

Dan (段)

Reido holds the world is composed of many planes of existence called dan (段), and that we live on merely one of these planes. Each of these planes are considered a different plane of existence, each with it's own features. Humanity is believed to exist within one of the higher planes of existence, while the lower planes are believed to be where other parts of the world come from. Though it is never specified how many planes there are, it is generally accepted that there are at the very least four. These planes are believed to exist both as separate entities and as one entity, that is that while one plane is not immediately accesibly by another all the plane nonetheless interact with one another.

The first and deepest later is called kadan (下段). It is believed to be practically a void, consisting of nothing more than two types of energy, In (陰) and You (陽). In and You mix together and leak into the second layer to form kouki. This layer is believed to be so deep that not even the most well-trained Reishi can percieve it, as they can only percieve as far as the second layer.

The second layer is called gendan (元段). This is where the kouki (光酒) flows. Kouki is believed to be the essence of life itself. Without this, it is believed that no life can exist as all life is believed to have been formed from kouki. Since kouki exists on another layer of the world than the one humans live in, it is generally believed that the average person will not be able to see it under normal circumstances. The kouki flows in rivers called koumyaku (光脈), and occasionally gather in lakes known as koumyakusuji (光脈筋). Koumyakusuji generally tend to be overflowing with life.

The third layer is called koudan (光段), and this is where we get everything in the world. In and You flow in from kadan, as well as kouki from gendan, to form everything from the land to the oceans. It is also in this layer where the Rei exist, the purest form of life.

The fourth and final layer is called joudan (上段), and this layer exists alongside koudan. It interacts closely enough with koudan to where the mountains and ocean that exist in koudan also exist in joudan, and that events that happen in joudan can affect koudan (and vice versa). They are so close together that they can easily be traversed between. This is the layer where humanity and everything the average person can percieve exists.

Rei (霊)

Reido believes in maintaining harmony with Rei (霊). Rei are believed to be just another form of life and not supernatural in nature. Generally they are believed to be the closest a form of life can get without actually becoming kouki (at which point they are no longer life themselves, but merely the essence of life).

Rei are believed live and die much like all other forms of life, and though some of them for live for so long they seem immortal none of them are actually immortal. Some may die and be reincarnated with memories of their previous life, making them also seem immortal, but that this is believed to be a life cycle like any other and not actual immortality. Some Rei regularly travel between koudan and joudan, while others don't traverse between the two planes without there being a catalyst for it. Rei are also believed to come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, with there being everything from the microscopic to the gigantic. Some Rei are believed to have the capacity to be sentient like humans, while others are believed to be driven by instinct like animals.

It is believed that Rei are born from a number of different ways, with the most likely being that they are born directly from kouki. However, Rei are believed to have the capability to reproduce among themselves as well. It is also believed that it is possible for a person or animal to become a Rei given certain special circumstances. Finally, some sentient Rei ae also believed to have the capacity to turn a person into a Rei through what is called the Banquet of the Rei (霊の宴), though this can sometimes be interrupted and the person always has the ability to refuse.

Normally Rei don't interact with humanity for they live on another layer of the world. Occasionally though they interact with the world. It is the Reishi's job to make sure that these interactions don't end in disaster for all sides involved. Disharmony between humans and Rei are believed to cause a wide range of negative consequences including bad fortune, disease, crop failures, natural disasters, and even death (sometimes on a widespread scale).

Wa (和)

Within Reido exists the concept of Wa (和) or harmony. It is essential that Wa be maintained throughout the world, as it is believed that without harmony there would be a wide variety of negative consequences ranging from natural disasters to plague.

The method of maintaining Wa is to maintain balance in ones life, which is done not only through ritual but also through excercising proper behavior. It is also believed that Wa must also be maintained in society. This can take shape in many forms, though generally it is seen as the community maintaining harmonious community over an individuals personal interest. Respecting others is also something that is believed to maintain Wa.

Purity (清め) and Impurity (穢れ)

It is also believed Wa must be maintained by keeping oneself pure. The concept of purity in Reido is called "kiyome" (清め), and it is believed that all people are born good and pure. Maintaining a persons purity depends entirely on that persons behavior, and if a person performs a bad deed (called tsumi, 罪) then it is believed to lead to impurity (called kegare, 穢れ).

Tsumi can range from small tsumi, such as petty theft, to major tsumi such as rape or murder without justification. Generally speaking small tsumi can be purified simply by rectifying the situation (such as in the case of petty theft, apologizing and returning what was stolen), while other tsumi have to be cleansed by a Saishi at a Shrine through a ritual known as harai (祓い).

Most notably, purity is believed to influence what happens to a person after death. If a person maintains their purity, then it is believed that one of two things will happen. If the person was someone of great virtue then the Rei will imbue the person with kouki and that person will become a Rei. If the person was an average person, then it is believed that whatever life energy left that they first obtained from kouki when they were born will become kouki again and go back to the koumyaku. If a person dies impure, then it is believed their spirit will either remain as an impure entity called a Oni (鬼) that will need to be dealt with later on, or be destroyed by Nushi.

Rituals

Reido rituals can be broadly divided into 3 categories. These 3 chategories are Shrine Rituals (神社儀式), Reishi Rituals (霊師儀式), and Individual Rituals (個人儀式), though there are a few rituals that don't fall into any of these categories. Shrine Rituals are, as the name implies, rituals that can only be performed at a Shrine. Reishi Rituals are rituals that can only be performed by Reishi, Priests, or Priestesses. Individual Rituals can be performed by any invididual who has knowledge of the ritual.

Major Shrine Rituals

Miyamairi

Miyamairi (宮参り) is the first visit to a Shrine of a newborn baby. Generally it is performed when the newborn is anywhere between 1 month to 4 months old. The newborns immediate family (and, if available, extended family) visit the Shrine to ask for the blessings of the Rei for the child to live a happy life. In the ceremony, the Priest or Priestess first reads a prayer aloud, then says the name of the child, names of the parents, name of the family, and the child's birthday. While doing this, the Priest or Priestess swings a tamagushi, a type of wand believed to carry the power to attract Rei, over the infant. Afterwards the parents (and, if applicable, grandparents) come forward to give offerings to the Rei.

Kekkon-shiki

Kekkon-shiki (結婚式), or the wedding ceremony, is typically an all-day affair. Typically, everyone will dress in traditional Akitian kimono for the occasion. The bride and groom will dress in special wedding kimono. At the Shrine, the Priest or Priestess will typically purify the bride and groom by performing a quick harai, and then will offer a prayer to the Rei. The couple will then take three sips from two different sake cups, which are believed to have some kouki within them. This is believed to attract Rei to the area, which will then bless the newlywed couple. Afterwards a symbolic offering is made to the Rei.

Once all this is done, everyone involved usually changes clothes. This at one point meant to a formal kimono not meant for weddings, but it is increasingly common to see people change into suits (for men) and dresses (for women). They gather inside a large tatami room for a celebratory meal, with the newlywed couple looking over the party.

Sou-shiki

Soushiki (葬式) is the funeral ceremony. Typically the ceremony starts with the Priest or Priestess chanting or singing to signify the start of the mourning period. During this time everyone in the funeral will wear black. After this, the family of the deceased is presented with gifts from their friends, this is to help with the cost of the funeral as well as any other financial burden the family may now have because of the death of their family member. Finally, the body of the deceased is burned and put into an urn. If the body does not burn completely, then the bones are placed into the urn with chopsticks.

At this point, one of two things can happen with the ashes. If the Shrine is located near the ocean, typically the ashes will be taken out to sea with the family following, and the ashes scattered in the sea. If the Shrine is located away from the ocean, typically the ashes will be buried in the mountains or in the highest place available. Typically the location of where the ashes are placed is clearly marked so that nobody will inadvertently stuble into them.

Hatsumode

Hatsumode (初詣) is the first visit to a Shrine after the New Year. It is performed any time between the day of the New Year to 3 days after it. During this, an invididual will approach a Shrine and ring a bell, which is believed to call the Rei to the area. Afterwards the person will give a symbolic offering, typically around 100 Akitian yin. The person will then clap his or her hands twice, pray, and then clap once. After this, the Priest or Priestess will perform a harai, and say a short prayer asking for the protection of the Rei.

Individual Rituals

There are a wide range of rituals that an individual can perform on their own. Typically these rituals vary from region to region, and thus a ritual that may exist in one part of Akitsu may not necessarily exist in another. These rituals can range from huge nation-wide celebrations to small town-based celebrations.

Hina nagashi

Hina nagashi (雛流し) is a ceremony performed on Quartyr 4 in which hina-dolls are placed in small boats and sent down rivers. These hina-dolls are believed to carry away with them bad fortune. On this day, fisherman typically don't fish due to the risk that the hina-dolls may be caught by accident. Any hina-dolls caught after this are taken to a Shrine and burned, in order to ensure that no bad fortune returns.

Reishi Rituals

Reishi rituals are rituals that can only be done by Reishi, Priests, and Priestesses. The purpose of these rituals is to restore balance between humanity and Rei where there is imbalance. The exact nature of the ritual changes depending on the circumstances, and there are many different rituals as each Rei is believed to require a different ritual. Some of the rituals may take a few seconds, others take months and sometimes years to perform.