Tumecipocu

**Tumecipocu**, called **Tumyeongdo** in Guro, is a religion and philosophy practiced most notably in the Zhanun and in Cejulifa. Based on the traditional Ypili religion, it follows the teaching of the prophet Lalifelu, who began preaching on the year 13,824 of the Miseləsat Calendar. At its core lie the beliefs in resurrection, the cyclical nature of the world and the possibility of entering Paradise through virtue. The most important holy text of the Tumecipocu faith is the Saga of Lalifelu.

## Etymology

Tumecipocu, sometimes spelled Tumekipoku, literally means "clear path" in Ypili. Its Guro translation, Tumyeongdo, means "transparency". The term refers to the conduct outlined by the teachings of Lalifelu that the adepts must follow to be let into Paradise. It is unknown whether prophet Lalifelu ever used the term to refer to his teachings. The first known appearance of the term is in a letter by the guru Culuwanyli, most likely written over 40 years after the prophet's death.

## History

### Preaching of Lalifelu

The founding figure of the Tumecipocu faith is Lalifelu. Born in 13779 M, he was an Ypili landowner. In 13824 M (two thirds of the Miseləsat according to Tumecipocu doctrine), he received a dream-vision in which he was visited by the gods Janul, Mucan, Lufatal and Cyno, who taught him about the Miseləsat, reincarnation, and the way into paradise. His wife later received a similar vision. They preached until Lalifelu's death in 13860 M.

## Beliefs

### Pantheon

Most gods worshipped by the Ypili people belong to the pre-Tumecipocu Ypili mythology. Worship of these gods is not considered essential ; the different peoples who believe in the Tumecipocu believe in different gods belonging to their respective pantheons. Some gods of the the Ypili pantheon have a greater role in the Tumecipocu faith:

* Lufatal, ruler of Paradise
* Tatun, personification of death
* Mucan, goddess of dreams, memory and forgetfulness
* Janul, god of justice and gatekeeper of paradise
* Tunela, creator of the world
* Osə, destroyer of the world

Janul, Tunela and Osə are venerated by all Tumecipocu believers, because of the crucial role they hold in the mythology. Most also believe in Mucan.

### *Sacanil*, reincarnation

According to Tumecipocu beliefs, after death, souls of sentient creatures are sent to the Tucamele (Land of Ash), where they must walk along the Facupocu (White Road). At the end of the Facupocu is located the Cytejepeli (Last Gate), guarded by Janul. The Tucamele is inhabited by several demons and gods, who may attack, harm or help the travelers. People are still mortal in the Tucamele ; it is believed that the dead must be buried along with food, drink, clothes and weapons to help them survive the journey. Although it is not mentioned in scripture, it is generally assumed that the travel from death to the Gate takes 12 days.

At the gate, Janul, God of Justice, judges of the virtue of the dead's souls. If the person has lived a life of virtue, devoid of sins, they are let into Paradise; if not, Janul pardons them for their sins in this life, but does not open the Gate. Those who are not let in end up dying of thirst, hunger, or by being killed by a demon of the Tucamele. The souls of those who died in the Tucamele are shepherded back to the world of the living by the Goddess of Dreams, Mucal, who strips them of their memories before they are reincarnated.

### *Miseləsat,* the cosmic cycle

The Tumecipocu faithful believe the world is constantly undergoing a 20,736 years (144 "centuries" of 144 years) cycle, beginning with the creation of the world and the empowerment of the stranded souls by Tunela, and ending with the awakening of Osə and the destruction of Earth and the Underworld.

Lalifelu prophesied that as the souls of the virtuous are left into Paradise, the population living on Earth lowers, and progressively only the most wicked souls remain. Because of this, the morality of humans and the other sentient beings is on the decline; as such, in the end of the Miseləsat, the ruckus caused by the incessant wars and suffering brought on by sin will awaken Osə, who will consume the world, including Paradise and the Tucamele. The vagrant souls of humans, animals, gods and spirits, with no bodies to reincarnate into, will awaken Tunela and ask for her help. A fight will ensue between Osə and Tunela, which will end with the cosmic cow's victory and the death of Osə. Shaping the world out of Osə's egg, Tunela will then put the souls back into the world before going back to sleep for the next 20,736 years.

### Tumecipocu calendar

The Tumecipocu Calendar, referred to as the Miseləsat Calendar, is based on the cycle of creation and destruction of the world. Its year 1 is the supposed creation of the Earth by Tunela. The revelations of prophet Lalifelu are believed to have occured when two-thirds of the world's lifespan had been spent. According to scripture, Janul realized time was running out and had Mucan seek a pious and virtuous man. She chose Lalifelu, and they appeared to him in a dream and revealed the Tumecipocu to him.