Difference between revisions of "Island Buddhism"

Revision as of 16:39, 16 May 2005

Island Buddhism is the primary religion in The Republic of Adam Island. Its symbol, the sectored triangle and its three Values- Life, Liberty, Logic, are featured on the flag of Adam Island and on the uniforms of its national sports teams. Although it is not the official religion of the nation, (the government enforces the strict seperation of church and state), about three-fourths of Adam Islanders consider themselves to be Island Buddhists of one form or another, and it has had an undeniable impact on the nation's culture and history.

Values

The teachings of Island Buddhism are organized into 3 Values, 8 Folds and 24 Virtues. The interpetation of these vary, but most major groups agree on these core teachings despite other theological differences.

A list of the Values, Folds and Virtues, and how they fit into each other:

• Value
  • Fold
    • Virtue

• Life
  • Right Effort
    • Selfishness
    • Integrity
    • Pride
  • Right Mindfulness
    • Acceptance
    • Self-Esteem
    • Joy
  • Right Concetration
    • Consciousness
    • Wholeness
    • Meditation
• Liberty
  • Right Speech
    • Honesty
    • Discourse
    • Art
  • Right Action
    • Non-Aggression
    • Justice
    • Tolerance
  • Right Livelihood
    • Productiveness
    • Love
    • Benevolence
• Logic
  • Right Understanding
    • Reality
    • Perception
    • Humanity
  • Right Thought
    • Rationality
    • Independence
    • Skepticism

Movements

There are many various ways of following Island Buddhism, which grow and receed in popularity. A generally respected llama once said "there are as many paths to follow as there are people following." Here is a summary of only the most major groups of the religion.

Keeping It Real

The Church of Keeping It Real was founded many centuries ago, and it focuses on teaching the virtues of Buddhism as general principles to be applied in a particular context. They train monks and lamas in their monastaries across the country. They generally teach against supernatural beliefs, and are proponents of atheism.

Republic founder Adam C. Roberts was a Grand Lama of the Church, and most of the royal Lords and Ladies in modern times were as well. Their emphasis on equality and liberty led to many democratic and libertarian reforms in the country. It is the largest form of Island Buddhism.

Fundamentalist

Fundamentalist Island Buddhism is a modern movement, stressing a return to what its followers consider traditional moral values. Each virtue in the Eight-Fold Path is broken down into set commandments, which are to be followed in all circumstances. For example, they usually believe that the Value of Love mandates that all sexual activity must be done during marriage between a male and a female for the purpose of creating children.

The Values Party, which holds 24 seats in Parliament, considers itself the voice of Fundamentalist Island Buddhism. Its leader Dhammadharo calls for the legal enforcement of Fundamentalist beliefs.

Iconic

Iconic Island Buddhism is an ancient tradition, which emphasises prayer and sacrifice to deceased Great Llamas. They believe in an afterlife, and will often commit voluntary sacrifical suicide at an old age to become one with the Llamas. Historically they were seen as a threat to the monarchy, and it was mostly Iconics who were murdered in the Adarob Massacre.