Tsamism

##### Summary:

Tsamism is the teaching of Tsamchoe, a man born several centuries ago who considered himself a cultural and moral prophet. Tsamism centers around the idea that unnecessary suffering ultimately has an impact on our Karma, an energy which holds the universe together. Lots of bad Karma causes bad things to happen, lots of good Karma causes good things to happen. There is much debate about whether Tsamism is a religion, a philosophy, or both. Your Karma determines what you reincarnate into upon death.

##### Tsamchoe:

Tsamchoe wrote the original scripts which all followers of Tsamism believe and interpret. Tsamchoe grew up as a noble and came to become a philosopher. Tsamchoe shunned all forms of harm to animals and other people, and he was imprisoned on counts of treason. He was executed  at the age of 45, having written numerous works of his teachings.

25 years after his death, his works gained popularity and people began to follow his teachings as a faith, which was named after the creator.

##### Tsamism, minimization of suffering:

Under Tsamism all life is considered sacred, and an animal being slaughtered is the same as a human being slaughtered. Thus, followers of Tsamism are vegetarians due to the consumption of meat having been a result of slaying an innocent creature. That being said, followers of Tsamism recognize that sometimes slaying other creatures is necessary, whether it be in self defense, preventing starvation, or critically needing the leather or feathers of the creature. It is naive to stop all suffering, but it is virtuous to try and minimize suffering where possible.

Followers of Tsamism are commonly pacifists, but people have waged crusades for the sake of minimizing suffering. If the lives lost in war would be less than the lives lost in avoiding war, it is arguably morally just to wage war.

##### Tsamism, Nontheism:

Under Tsamism there is no god, and the invention of the universe is still unknown. One day these mysteries may be found out, but it is of no concern of Tsamism. Science does not cause suffering, it merely can give the tools that people can use to create suffering. Thus, Technology is accepted, but one must remain vigilant of those who misuse it.

##### The Tsamism Bible:

It is vain to believe that all suffering can end, but is it not virtuous to minimize suffering? What is the point of being alive as to not improve one’s self and the world around them. Make a world where suffering is at its least, and your karma may allow you to be reborn into greatness. One must work hard to make the world of least suffering a reality, one may need to be celibate, or one may need to battle. It is up to all of us to try. To struggle for this world, for it needs those who have their minds open and their hearts full.

Those of us not of the same species also carry this capacity, the ability to love and to improve. Thus, to slaughter them needlessly is to create suffering, and steer the world onto a path with more suffering. It is thus noble to minimize the amount of meat eaten, for life with a heart is sacred.

May we all one day come to the world where suffering is at its minimal, and may we all fight each day to make it so. Look beyond yourself, and you may find that the world is yours to shape.

-Tsamchoe