Death, Rebirth, and Divinity

As extolled previously, the humans of Yamato are known as Children of the Kami. Diminished children of both great and lesser kami of the land who had lost their spiritual power in the Middle Country, but seek to regain that divinity and power in the next life.

To this end, humans have always striven to returned to their divine and spiritual origin. Followers of Kodo have long had their names written down in the records at their local shrines, to be remembered in death, prayed to by their descendants, so they are not forgotten (for a kami’s power comes not just from the land, but from the belief and worship in the kami.)

Before the advent of Kensho, ascension to the highest of the highs among the kami was limited only to the wealthy, powerful, and influential, who could afford more elaborate services, could influence the Emperor and the Ministry of Religion, the Imperial court, priest and priestesses, and could afford to have custom-built shrines built and dedicated to them, and maintained through a trust after their death.

However, since the introduction of Kensho as a popular religious path, the humans of Yamato (especially the common folk, though many from all walks of life have been drawn to the allure of Kensho) have sought new and easier ways to ascend to the Heavenly Plain.

By living to specific precepts and tenets, and living good and honest lives, doing no harm to others, avoiding sin and ill thoughts and actions, and penance in the form of constant and daily prayer to the Lady of Mercy and the other Enlightened Saints who intercede on behalf of the faithful still working their way through the cycle of rebirth, will earn one–eventually–rebirth in the Heavenly Plain as a great kami.

Of course, life is messy. Not everyone is perfect. The wicked are punished and reborn at a lowered station in life. But the faithful, even those who have strayed or erred but have made penance and amends for their actions, or have lived their life perfectly, find themselves reborn in the same or even higher status, making it easier for them to live a good life, and achieve enlightenment on their next go around.