Post by Satya on Aug 13, 2010 13:44:25 GMT -7
So, I was doing some thinking, and looking at some of the antelope species and religions in India, and I have a proposal for the structure of a multi-species herd.
This would be primarily for Nilgai and Blackbuck, though other species could also be involved. A quick summary of these species:
Nilgai are large (5' / 1.5m tall!) antelope with some resemblance to oxen. Females and young have yellowish-brown coats, while mature males have a grey-blue coat, which gives them their other name of Blue Bulls. Males have short horns that curve forward slightly, and both sexes have manes and a beardlike tuft of hair on their throats. They live in mixed-sex herds, though older males may be solitary or live in herds of other males. They can live up to 21 years.
Blackbuck are smaller antelope (2.7 ft / .85m tall), and one of the fastest species of land animal. Females and young are light brown, mature males are black on top, white on the bottom with long, spiraling horns. They also live in mixed herds, though generally with only a few adult males and one clearly dominant. They usually live 10-12 years, though up to 18 is possible.
These two species have also been observed living together, which is part of what gives rise to my concept.
There are two core beliefs - Ahimsa and Satya.
Ahimsa means the avoidance of violence, in all forms. This includes physical harm, emotional, spiritual... everything. Even thinking violently is a failure to achieve Ahimsa. Of course, this doesn't mean that they don't resist predators - but Ahimsa teaches that flight is better than fighting, and frightening off an opponent is better than doing them harm. Even tigers have souls, and those souls can be redeemed.
Satya means truth. This includes being honest, but it also means seeking to understand deeper truths. Understanding, according to their beliefs, leads inescapably to compassion; and this state of compassion leads back to Ahimsa. For this reason, if Satya and Ahimsa come into conflict, it is Ahimsa that should dominate, for a lie told to avert violence is still in alignment with the truth of compassion.
Of course, nobody's perfect - these are principles, things to be strived for. Those who do achieve Ahimsa and Satya, though, have the potential to be reborn as greater spirits - either again as antelope, to be teachers to those still enbodied, or among the free spirits that roam the earth and dance upon the heavens. Those who deny these principles, and live against them, will be reborn as lower creatures; for small errors, as a smaller antelope, deer or mouse, or for massive or compound errors, as one of those who eat meat. No matter how low a spirit, though, it can seek to follow Ahimsa and Satya to be reborn to a better self. For those who, by being predators, must act with violence to live, it is not necessary that they starve themselves; while pure Ahimsa is needed to ascend to the highest orders, there's a lot that simply striving can do.
The spiritual (though not physical!) leadership of the herds is centered around two antelope, who have been recognized as having achieved a high state of the enlightenment. They give up their old names, and take on the names of Satya and Ahimsa. By custom, Satya is a male Nilgai, and Ahimsa a female Blackbuck, though not always. Those are the figures in the stories told of past Satya and Ahimsa, though; a collection of moral tales and enlightening stories that form a cultural history.
There isn't always a Satya or an Ahimsa currently living; the role is passed on when, in the opinions of the herd, some member shows the level of enlightment and demonstrates right living to others. It is possible, though rare, for a non-antelope to become Satya or Ahimsa. Certainly, other species are welcome to live with or near the herd.
This welcoming of diversity, and the belief that no one viewpoint is the single truth, is what gives them their name. Anekanta is the idea of pluralism, that truth and reality can be percieved differently and that no viewpoint has the monopoly on truth. Truth is to be sought, but any truth that becomes dogmatic is not true Satya.
Leadership:
There are two types of leadership important to the herd - spiritual, and physical. The spiritual leadership is accomplished by the Satya and Ahimsa. These roles may be empty, if there is no member that seems to personify the role required. They are selected by the acclamation of the whole herd. (OOCly, these likely aren't the leaders, though they are important figures that should have a role in @group, when present.)
The physical leadership is more essential in the day to day of herd life. There are two such leaders - one is always nilgai, one blackbuck, but they may be of either gender; female is slightly more common than male. It is possible, though unlikely, for a physical leader to also be a spiritual one - but these roles tend to come into conflict, because preaching to the tigers is at odds with defending the herd from their marauding. These roles should never be empty; each of these leaders will select and train a successor. Succession is upon the retirement of the old leader, not (usually) death - leading is an important duty to the herd, but once it has been performed, it should be let go in order to search for wisdom.
Any thoughts? Feedback would be much appreciated - and I'd love to get an Anekanta herd together, if people think this sounds interesting!
This would be primarily for Nilgai and Blackbuck, though other species could also be involved. A quick summary of these species:
Nilgai are large (5' / 1.5m tall!) antelope with some resemblance to oxen. Females and young have yellowish-brown coats, while mature males have a grey-blue coat, which gives them their other name of Blue Bulls. Males have short horns that curve forward slightly, and both sexes have manes and a beardlike tuft of hair on their throats. They live in mixed-sex herds, though older males may be solitary or live in herds of other males. They can live up to 21 years.
Blackbuck are smaller antelope (2.7 ft / .85m tall), and one of the fastest species of land animal. Females and young are light brown, mature males are black on top, white on the bottom with long, spiraling horns. They also live in mixed herds, though generally with only a few adult males and one clearly dominant. They usually live 10-12 years, though up to 18 is possible.
These two species have also been observed living together, which is part of what gives rise to my concept.
There are two core beliefs - Ahimsa and Satya.
Ahimsa means the avoidance of violence, in all forms. This includes physical harm, emotional, spiritual... everything. Even thinking violently is a failure to achieve Ahimsa. Of course, this doesn't mean that they don't resist predators - but Ahimsa teaches that flight is better than fighting, and frightening off an opponent is better than doing them harm. Even tigers have souls, and those souls can be redeemed.
Satya means truth. This includes being honest, but it also means seeking to understand deeper truths. Understanding, according to their beliefs, leads inescapably to compassion; and this state of compassion leads back to Ahimsa. For this reason, if Satya and Ahimsa come into conflict, it is Ahimsa that should dominate, for a lie told to avert violence is still in alignment with the truth of compassion.
Of course, nobody's perfect - these are principles, things to be strived for. Those who do achieve Ahimsa and Satya, though, have the potential to be reborn as greater spirits - either again as antelope, to be teachers to those still enbodied, or among the free spirits that roam the earth and dance upon the heavens. Those who deny these principles, and live against them, will be reborn as lower creatures; for small errors, as a smaller antelope, deer or mouse, or for massive or compound errors, as one of those who eat meat. No matter how low a spirit, though, it can seek to follow Ahimsa and Satya to be reborn to a better self. For those who, by being predators, must act with violence to live, it is not necessary that they starve themselves; while pure Ahimsa is needed to ascend to the highest orders, there's a lot that simply striving can do.
The spiritual (though not physical!) leadership of the herds is centered around two antelope, who have been recognized as having achieved a high state of the enlightenment. They give up their old names, and take on the names of Satya and Ahimsa. By custom, Satya is a male Nilgai, and Ahimsa a female Blackbuck, though not always. Those are the figures in the stories told of past Satya and Ahimsa, though; a collection of moral tales and enlightening stories that form a cultural history.
There isn't always a Satya or an Ahimsa currently living; the role is passed on when, in the opinions of the herd, some member shows the level of enlightment and demonstrates right living to others. It is possible, though rare, for a non-antelope to become Satya or Ahimsa. Certainly, other species are welcome to live with or near the herd.
This welcoming of diversity, and the belief that no one viewpoint is the single truth, is what gives them their name. Anekanta is the idea of pluralism, that truth and reality can be percieved differently and that no viewpoint has the monopoly on truth. Truth is to be sought, but any truth that becomes dogmatic is not true Satya.
Leadership:
There are two types of leadership important to the herd - spiritual, and physical. The spiritual leadership is accomplished by the Satya and Ahimsa. These roles may be empty, if there is no member that seems to personify the role required. They are selected by the acclamation of the whole herd. (OOCly, these likely aren't the leaders, though they are important figures that should have a role in @group, when present.)
The physical leadership is more essential in the day to day of herd life. There are two such leaders - one is always nilgai, one blackbuck, but they may be of either gender; female is slightly more common than male. It is possible, though unlikely, for a physical leader to also be a spiritual one - but these roles tend to come into conflict, because preaching to the tigers is at odds with defending the herd from their marauding. These roles should never be empty; each of these leaders will select and train a successor. Succession is upon the retirement of the old leader, not (usually) death - leading is an important duty to the herd, but once it has been performed, it should be let go in order to search for wisdom.
Any thoughts? Feedback would be much appreciated - and I'd love to get an Anekanta herd together, if people think this sounds interesting!
I can't make any promises, but if I think I can spare the time I'll definately contribute an alt to this.