Kunwidya

Kunwidya
Kūnwīḍyā
Type	Universal religion
Classification	Dun
Scripture	Zununubyi
Theology	Monotheistic
Founder	The Prophet
Origin	3818 CY (30 AE) Wadiin
Separated from	Hiyaha

Not to be confused with Orthodox Kunwidya.

Kunwidya is a monotheistic religion that originates from the island of Wadiin, mainly teaching that the Prophet is the holy messenger of God (Widya.) It is the largest religion on Jotunnheim with X followers.

Beliefs

The Three Realms

Main article: Three Realms

Followers of Kunwidya believe in the Three Realms, the realm of the sky, the realm of the sea, and the mortal realm. They believe that the human realm is held aloft by the faith and virtues of Widya’s people, and that should the world turn away from Widya, the mortal realm will sink beneath the ocean underneath weight of its own sin to be lost forever. The realm of the sky is the realm of Widya, and the realm of heaven. Followers believe that each star in the sky represents a soul within heaven. If one ascends to the realm of heaven, it is believed they become formless, just as Widya.

Widya

Main article: Widya

Widya, being the personification of the wind and of the sky, is completely incomprehensible in form. There is no correct portrayal or idea of Widya, and is physically unable to be understood. The moral teachings of Widya however, are completely comprehensible to humanity, and thus should guide humanity wherever possible.

Practices

Followers of Kunwidya engage in various ceremonies and festivals to affirm their faith in Widya, and to protect the mortal world from sin.

The Journey

The Journey (Wadiin: ?) is the Kunwidya practice of affirming the words of Widya. It is typically performed as the first act of prayer, although may be performed independently outside this context. Typically lead by one who is approved as being proficiently knowledgeable on Kunwidya theology, having memorized the Zununubyi; it consists of a reading of the section of the Zununubyi, followed by a procession around an area while chanting that section. The procession can be done in any manner, so long as it is perceived sufficiently length-wise. Doing so mimics the journeys of the Prophet across Wadiin during the Unification of Wadiin. Processions may even stray outside the Dyathunu, wandering into nearby towns or other areas.

The Listening

The Listening (Wadiin: ?) is the Kunwidya practice of submitting one’s self to Widya and Widya’s will. It is typically performed after the Journey, but may also be done independently. Followers of Kunwidya typically kneel down, with their hands together covering their face, and sit in silence. It is preferred to keep decent distance between followers, so as not to disturb each other. This ceremony mimics the enlightenment of the Prophet to the will of Widya. By sitting in silence with one’s other senses dulled, one may more readily hear the air and the wind rushing, and thus listen to the will of Widya. There is no set length to this practice, though some devout ascetics may spend hours engaging in the Listening without interruption. Disturbing individuals engaging in this is considered to be extremely taboo, even if for important reasons.

Dyathunu

A Dyathunu is a Kunwidya place of worship. The structure typically consists of a large central circular open-air courtyard, with various halls branching off of it. Dyathunus may vary in size and function, some may contain library halls and places of study, while others may be entire military complexes. Higher locations are preferred, so many often lie upon hills or the sides of mountains. Depending on weather conditions and the complexity of the Dyathunu, the courtyard may be veiled with a large tarp, with bellows placed about to give the impression of wind.

Burials

Followers of Kunwidya practice sky burials, leaving the body to decompose atop high elevations. Burials typically take place atop a designated burial ground, or in structures dedicated to the burial of the dead, called Mūḍuwa. Muduwa are often managed by those who specialize in burial of the dead, in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the Experts (in Wadiin specifically). Burials must be preceded by a variety of purification rituals to prepare the body for burial. Typically, salts are sprinkled upon the body by a holy man or family member, and the hands of the body are tied and bound to covering the face. A group of people, either the family or those trained in the disposal of the dead, will then perform the Journey, precessing around the body. The body is then left exposed in a designated area. If the body is interred in a Muduwa, the remaining bones are often burned, and the ashes disposed atop a mountain or high area. These rituals are believed to purify the body of sin, and to prepare it for its formlessness among Widya’s realm. Those who decompose without funerary rites are considered to have been condemned to the realm of the abyss or purgatory.

Texts

The main corpus of Kunwidya thought is recorded in the Zuṇunubyī (lit. “speakings”), which is a holy book recording the words of the Prophet himself.

See also

• Kunwidya in Western Ashnan