Tianchaodao

The Jinken Emperor introduced a policy of morning prayers in 1608 AN to honour the Heavenly Light. This became the basics of the introduction of Tianchaodao as state religion three decades later.

Tianchaodao
The ho an den - this one being located in Chuan Ke - became an important part of daily life for the Jingdaoese citizens: under the early reign of the Hoshasei Emperor, daily rites were done at the start of every school day. Soon this practice became obligatory in all companies and organisations across the country.
Theology:	Polytheism
Origin:	1642 (as state religion)
Countries:	Great Jing (1642 - 1700) Greater Kildare, Shireroth Alrig Sint Barentsz

Tianchaodao, meaning "The Way of the Empire" in the Jingdaoese language, was the state religion of the Great Jing between 1642 and 1704 AN (263 EGA, 6316 ASC). It was not a 'religion' in the normal sense of the word, as it was more an ideological set of beliefs to strengthen the ties and loyalties of the Empire's subjects to the Heavenly Throne.

With the Salomeid Revival, and the donation of the Heavenly Mandate by the Xinshi Emperor to Kaiseress Salome, a series of reforms were introduced to align the Faith with Cedrism.

Origins

It was originally an offspring of Catologism. The main teaching of Tianchaodao was complete submission to the divine Heavenly Light, as it was the only road to salvation and the only way to serve the Gods. The Way of the Empire did not dispute that there were other Gods than the Heavenly Light, but did not allow the Jingdaoese people to worship them, instead the people should worship the Heavenly Light.

The faith went into a crisis, when - after the death of the Chidao Emperor - his successor refused to take up Her role as worldly leader.

It kept its status as de facto state religion within the Great Apollonian Empire and while the Jingdaoese Community was replaced by the Democratic Apollonian Republic of Kildare. Eventually, in 1707 AN, the Xinshi Emperor announced Her intention to reform the religion, so it could aid in strengthening ties between the western and eastern parts of the Imperial Republic.

Alriggian variant of the Tianchaodao

Many people of Jingdaoese descent in Alrig are followers of the Tianchaodao. This variant of the Tianchaodao differs from the variant in Jingdao because complete submission to the Heavenly Light is not asked, only that all prayers and all devotion is directed towards him. The worship of the Heavenly Light is not controversial in Alrig, but ties in with the local practice. In Alrig followers of the various religions only publicly refer to their God as "the Lord", followers of the Tianchaodao are no exceptions.

Central tenets

The Tianchaodao, has some central tenets:

• The Heavenly Light acts as highest religious leader and guide towards Eternal Bliss and Redemption. He is a central and necessary figure in reaching the Afterlife.
• The most wise Heavenly Lights are reincarnations of gods, in most cases Sisera.
• The Heavenly Light - in His wisdom - recognizes the necessity of a strong, worldly leader to guide the through life on Micras. A Heavenly Mandate is granted - for life - to the Kaiser(ess) of Shireroth.
• Shrines and temples are in possession of a portrait of picture of both the Heavenly Light and Kaiser(ess). Those pictures need to be placed at the same height, as they both represent two sides of the same coin: the Path to a Better Life. During ceremonies (weddings, funerals,...), the portrait of the Heavenly Light is placed one step higher.