Akashyana (Akashic Brotherhood)

*Our bodies strive to recall the harmony our souls knew before we were born.*

Harmony is found in the flow of What Is. To attune one’s self to that flow is so simple that it can take lifetimes to master. It is, perhaps, the lot of man to strive against that flow; certainly, the modern world is filled with distractions from such purposes. And so, the Akashayana, commonly known as the Akashic Brotherhood, seek harmony in a world filled with chaos.

Deeply misunderstood among the Council as “peaceful warriors,” devotees of the Akashayana Sangha (“Order of the Vehicle of Akasha”) strengthen their bodies to cultivate their minds – and, by extension, the Sphere of Mind – in their pursuit of harmony. And yet, harmony often demands conflict. Just as the strings of an instrument must be struck before they can vibrate harmoniously, so too has the Brotherhood endured millennia of war. In the process, the Akashayana refined Do (“the Way,” pronounced doe), the primal martial art from which all others descend.

Do, however, is more than mere war techniques. Encompassing a range of spiritual practices from tea ceremonies to Tantric union, Do focuses a person’s essence, form, and intentions. Through relentless training, the student (or Akashi) develops the concentration he needs in order to discern the essential dissatisfaction of Samsara, the perpetual cycle or flow of existence. A Harmonious Brother (an honorific used regardless of the mage’s gender) strives to help all beings realize samadhi (enlightenment, Ascension) and liberate each Bodhicitta (Avatar) from the cycle of rebirth.

Despite some misperceptions, the Akashayana did not originate in China. In a Time Before Time, humanity’s world was a single Mount Meru; there, the Meru’ai people lived in harmony. It’s been said that the Celestines Dragon, Tiger, and Phoenix taught the Meru’ai the disciplines that would become Do. Eventually, however, the imperfections of this world sundered Mount Meru from its celestial foundations, scattering the Meru’ai throughout the mountainous region later called Tibet. From there, they supposedly brought their language and ways to India, Nepal, China, and points east. Those origins have followed them wherever they go.

Over the millennia, countless teachers – notably Gautama Buddha, “the Awakened One” – have incorporated elements of Do into Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, hatha yoga, and folk medicine. Akashi helped build Shaolin Temple and Angkor Wat; they overthrew tyrants, and their monasteries reached across Asia from Nepal to the Ryukyu Islands. In modern times, echoes of their teachings have spread worldwide.

Today, any mindful Brother can relive this entire history to better understand the cycle of continual remanifestation. The shunyata (primal emptiness) that underlies all things holds karmic traces of all past thoughts and actions. This imprint has several names –Merumandala, Akashakarma, the Universal Consciousness, shared memory, and more; modern Brothers, though, call it the Akashic Record. A quiet mind, freed of ego, can sense the Record, in which all consciousness joins in a single stream. Once immersed in Akashic mindspace, a seeker’s awareness helps him parse the collective memories of Akashayana throughout history.

That history includes awful times: the Himalayan Wars against the early Chakravanti; conquests and revolutions; the sect’s murderous rivalries with the Wu Lung, Dalou-laoshi, and rival Akashic groups; the Boxer Rebellion and its opiumtrade beginnings; Mongol invasions and Kamikaze Wars; the Screaming Ghost Purge and Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward. Akashics have trained samurai and disemboweled themselves for honor; they’ve raised katars with the Rajput, stormed the Forbidden City, starved in Pol Pot’s Killing Fields, and turned to ash at Hiroshima. The outer calm of an Akashic masks deep pains and passions from every age and every conflict, and the dreadful karma from those times lingers even now.

Several constants link all Akashi, regardless of culture: discipline, which the study of Do demands; empathy, nurtured by connection with the Akashic Record; fitness, honed by the pursuit of Do; respect, sharpened by intense apprenticeships; and focus, without which one cannot attain even the most limited understanding of Do. Across the globe, they share the same terminology even when divided into different groups. The popularity of martial arts culture has brought many initiates to the Akashic Path; sadly, the modern world’s various distractions make this a difficult Path for all but the most dedicated aspirants.

Today, the Akashayana face a bizarre challenge: their ancient enemies, the Wu Lung, seem to have chosen the Akashic way. Although the Brotherhood remains wary about this alliance, the Tradition’s compassionate ethic encourages the Akashayana to give their old rivals a chance. To cope with that decision, though, some folks say today’s Akashics will need what their Tradition has seldom prized and rarely cultivated: imagination.

## Organization

The Brotherhood is essentially led by the Kannagara, monastic ascetics of the Phoenix Robe sect. Today, however, lots of power resides with the Shi-Ren (“Benevolent Aristocracy”), a faction of politically active traditionalists who want to expand Akashic influence in world affairs. Tradition mages in the West most often encounter warriors of the Vajrapani (derisively called “Warring Fists”) and the eclectic iconoclasts of the Li-Hai, who seek enlightenment through heroic experience.

## Sects and Factions

Even with all the stereotypes, the Akashic Brotherhood is a really diverse and extensive Tradition, and some of the misconceptions about its members or size of the organization in the past was due to the Vajrapani and Kannagara being the more visible face of the Tradition ranks, with many Akashics getting uninvolved with the Ascension War fought primarily in the West, at least in the way it was done there, as a good number of the Akashayana prefer a most subtle and shadowy way to tackle it. Recent developments have shown the western traditions the true size of the Brotherhood, and the only reason why their numbers are still relatively small compared to the humongous pool of Sleepers to draw upon new members is the rigorous discipline needed to be a member.

It could be said that the Akashayana are a counterpart to the Order of Hermes as far as the East is concerned, being both a really diverse gathering of diverse groups under a shared belief, but the Brotherhood cohesion is fundamented in the very origins of the Tradition, the legend of Meru. Between the sects, there is a differentiation between the birth groups or *jati*, in other words those who trace their history back to the village of Meru, the Kannagara, Jnani and Vajrapani, and the schools or *pai*, sects like the Shi-Ren, Li-Hai or the Wu Lung, who were accepted into the Brotherhood at a late time. The jati have an own interdependent relationship between each other that the pai do not, and a Brother does not usually change her jati as the familial bonds they feel with it are usually really strong. Inside each sect factions develop based on nationality or other cultural motives, but even so, all members of the Tradition see themselves as a part of a whole unified Brotherhood and not a collection of disjointed cults.

The Stone Sutra says that ascetics who gave themselves over to Akasha are above rulers, so in theory the Kannagara are the ones who lead the Tradition in a way to avoid the Akashayana to stray from their own principles, but they are often accused to being oblivious of the reality of the new century, a view usually shared by the Shi-Ren and some Vajrapani. The Wu Lung share the same opinion as the Shi-Ren, and the Li-Hai are content to oppose the monks even if they would oppose a Shi-Ren leadership even more vehemently, so the only ones absolutely loyal to the Kannagara are the Jnani, as both had the symbiotic relationship of the hermit and the ascetic. This leadership issue is one of the paradoxes that the Brotherhood faces, as even if the Kannagara oppose modernization to rescind their guidance could also mean to destroy the moral and spiritual foundation of the whole Tradition.

As the traditional jati and pai system is considered by some a bit lax, there are cabals based on different peculiarities like culture, speciality or functions. With some restrictions like the Kaizankai, an Akashic can belong to various groups and change them based on her preferences.

### Jnani

The Jnani are wandering mystics, hermits and shaman. They hope to reconcile the self with the Avatar (which they called the "Buddha-Mind") through the practices of yoga, tantra, alchemy, meditation and lengthy spiritual quests. They believe all things are ultimately one and any separation between them is an illusion. Traveling throughout Asia, the Jnani have absorbed a myriad of beliefs from Shinto to Tibetan Bön rites. Their magics can be quite diverse. Many perform exorcisms and divination to protect people in rural folk cultures from the spirit world. Rumors also claim that the faction tends secret monasteries and libraries in realms like Hollow Earth.

*Specialty Sphere:* Spirit

* **Chabnagpa**: The Black Water Sect combines Tibetan spirituality with Vajrayana rites. Some are lamas who have taken strict monastic vows or yogis, lay teachers who perform practical rites such as weather divination and exorcisms. Spirit possession and binding are common to these Jnani. The Chabnagpa keep the Brotherhood's oldest and darkest secrets, including lore stolen from the Euthanatoi during the Himalayan Wars. The Chabnagpa tend to stay to their Tibetan monastery, in which it is said that a physical transcription of the Akashic Record can be found in the cellars… as well as other things.

* **Lin Shen**: The Vagabonds do not exist. That is according to Tradition policy: they are just a paranoid rumor that the Brotherhood's enemies cultivate. The legends attributed to the Lin Shen are similar to those of the fabled ninja. The truth is, the Lin Shen do not exist as a sect. A Vagabond is independently trained from a secret manual known as the Forest Classic, which describes the spells, skills, and justification for these shadowy methods used to wage shadow war on their enemies.

* **Wu Shan**: These are Taoist mystics who practice internal alchemy. They learn the appropriate catalogs of spirits and the properties of the rites needed to summon, placate, and bind them. Wu Shan use Do to balance their physical energies and cultivate a sense of serenity that resonates in the physical world.

* **Yamabushi**: Yamabushi refers to those Japanese ascetics who blend Shinto animism with Buddhist esoterica. Most live in the wilderness in Japan, predominantly its wide mountain ranges. They occasionally come down to the Sleeper world to perform cures and exorcisms as needed. While in their mountain homes, they practice superhuman feats to focus their minds and practice Do as one with the elements.

### Kannagara

Tracing their origin to Mount Meru itself, the Kannagara are ascetic monks who uphold many of the Brotherhood's oldest practices. All Akashics practice difficult ordeals and purification rites, but the Kannagara believe that right mind and right soul can only come through right action. Many of their practices blend Buddhism and Taoism with core Akashic practices. The Kannagara prefer to remain aloof from sleeper affairs. The faction maintains several important monasteries which guide the Akashic Brotherhood as a whole. Here they renounce materialism in favor of prayer, hardship and devotion. Their numbers have dwindled over the years, Akashics sometimes join after tiring of conflict.

* **Jina**: The Jina sect, also called the Jain Brothers, are the most extreme ascetics of the Kannagara. They renounce all material possessions, practice an ethic of strict non-violence, and do not travel or involve themselves in worldly affairs. These pacifists are even careful not to slay small animals or microscopic life.

* **Karmachakra**: Scholars of the Great Wheel, the Karmachakra maintains the oldest traditions of the Akashayana. They tend all histories of the Brotherhood, including the Akashic Record. These linguists and historians also act as final arbiters of Tradition policy. Its members are often invited based on their Avatars' past incarnations' association with the Karmachakra; this provides continuity but breeds poor perspective.

* **Shaolin**: The best known sect within the Kannagara, if not the whole Tradition, the Shaolin use an acrobatic style of Do with Zen Buddhism as focus. They no longer inhabit their great monastery in China but still thrive throughout Asia and in a few places in the West. The level of asceticism varies from monastery to monastery.

### Li-Hai

The Li-Hai adhere to Mo-Tzu's philosophy of Universal Love and utilitarian morality. They value pragmatism over metaphysics. Members of this faction believe that ancient traditions enforce a false sense of morality which in turn leads to harmful actions. Instead, the Li-Hai seek to abolish old traditions in favor of rational thought. They seek to accept new ideas to bring the Brotherhood into the modern world. While the Li-Hai still practice Do, their style draws on western scientific approaches to health, morality and personal enlightenment. As such, they embrace a number of divergent schools and groups. Like the folk heroes of legend, they oppose tyranny and promote justice.

* **Blue Skins**: A synthesis of Tibetan mysticism and Mohist doctrine, the name derives from the legend of blue-skinned deities who point the way to enlightenment. The Blue Skins believe in "Crazy Wisdom". They hold that even intense, "sinful" emotions like vanity and lust can point the way to Ascension. In their view, fashion exists to discipline the body with the mind and pleasure is a living mantra to aid concentration.

* **Mo-Tzu Fa**: The oldest school of thought of the Li-Hai, the Mo-tzu Fa carry on the tradition of folk heroism and universal love. Members vow to use any means necessary to promote "equal love". Anarchists, philosophers, and vigilantes world-wide assist peoples living in poverty, violence, and disaster. They also view the spirit world in an animistic way, believing that spirits are not separated into offices, and must be placated with sacrifices and offerings of friendship and love.

* **Roda d'Oro**: Specializing in non-Asian traditions, this sect translated as Circle of Gold was established soon after the Grand Convocation. Originally designed for the regions that Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors settled, the sect's framework of physical discipline is open to any mage whose beliefs and methods fit only here.

### Shi-Ren

The "Benevolent Aristocracy," the Shi-Ren are a politically active faction that desires greater Akashic influence in world affairs. Drawn from Legalist influences, Shi-Ren magic is very traditional and often involves lengthy rituals and calligraphy. Subtle use of Mind arts allow for social discipline and influence in diplomacy, finance and political struggle. All things have a place in the organized cosmology of the Shi-Ren. A strict meritocracy, most Shi-Ren have Pattern Essences. While most modern Shi-Ren do not believe a return to Imperial China is possible, they stress teaching of Asian history and culture to preserve the roots of the Brotherhood.

* **Gam Jung**: The Golden Dragons were established to crush the enemies of the Brotherhood. To that end, they formed secret societies across Asia, established a vast financial network, and even soiled their hands in the criminal underworld. They took huge losses in the 1990s when they clashed with the Syndicate and other financial powers.

* **Han Fei Tzu Academy**: This acts as the administrative arm of the Shi-Ren and a think tank for the whole Brotherhood. They accept all nationalities into this school of thought. The Academy serves as a source of tutelage for the Brotherhood overall. The Academy encourages personal achievement through a strict meritocracy. The Han Fei Tzu attracts students from all over the world through a variety of front companies.

* **Kaizankai**: This is a Japanese cabal of patriotic legalists who trace their ancestry to the 7th century imperial throne of the Emperor Shotoku. They moved into the feudality and became enmeshed in the politics of their country. They adopted to the economic power of Japan after the Meiji Restoration, scheming against the Zaibatsu. They accept only Japanese members.

### Vajrapani

Named for the "Diamond Thunderbolt" of Tibetan Buddhism, the Vajrapani are often stereotyped as young, hot-blooded warriors. The Vajrapani emphasize martial arts, exercise, and hard physical labor. Originally, they served as protectors for the Brotherhood, using their prowess to repel bandits and armies alike. In modern times, the Vajrapani take the fight directly to the Technocracy. Older members sometimes tire of conflict and retire to other factions. Extremely nationalistic and family-oriented, many Vajrapani claim descent from one of the 48 clans that originally made up the faction. Only recently have the Vajrapani begun to train and recruit non-Asians through martial arts schools.

* **Banner of the Ebon Dragon**: In China, the Banner is a secret society of Vajrapani clans that guards its fellow Akashayana and teaches kung fu to anyone willing to learn. In America, the Heilong Athletic Society reaches out to students in almost every place a Chinese population has settled.

* **Sulsa**: This is a secretive school of Korean warriors and spies. Theirs is among the most complex of Vajrapani arts, as they have been heavily influenced by the Kannagara and Jnani. They specialize in swordsmanship, learning a special dance that can hypnotize enemies and disguise violence in graceful steps. They combine martial prowess with the art of invisibility and mind control. Unlike the other schools, the Sulsa are made up of Awakened Warriors alone.

* **Tenshi Arashi Ryu**: This Japanese fellowship expresses Drahma through Shinto and Tendai Buddhism terms. Swordsmanship, mounted combat, weaponless defense, and archery are all expressions of Do from this school. The Ryu establish schools around the world.

### Wu Lung

Descended from nobility, the "Dragon Wizards" have served the Chinese Emperor as advisors and sorcerers for over 4,000 years. Through heavily regimented rituals, they commune with ghosts of ancestors and heavenly spirits alike. Using their influence to crush rival factions like the Akashics and Wu-Keng, the Wu Lung remained aloof from "barbarian" western mages until the Technocracy conquered China. Based out of Hong Kong, the modern Wu Lung re-organized after the Reckoning. After consulting the I Ching, the new Emperor Bei Beishi chose to join the Akashic Brotherhood to preserve the shared magical heritage of ancient China. The Wu Lung do not practice Do, preferring their own style of martial arts.

*Specialty Sphere:* Spirit

* **Dragon School**: Comprised of the judges and attendants of the gods, who are masters of Spirit. Service in the Dragon School is a great privilege, and its members take their duty to judge Creation seriously, usually applying force to make things run smoothly.

* **Tiger School**: It consists of more practically oriented mages, focused on finding Tao in righteous activities. They specialize in Forces and are masters of martial arts they use to generate bravery that serves Heaven, similar to the Do.

* **Phoenix School**: This school is solely composed of female members and is usually treated as if it does not exist by higher ranking mages. Mastering the arts of Life, the followers of the Phoenix School focus on rewarding righteous behaviour among mortals, rather than judging it like the Dragons or punishing it like the Tigers.

## Initiation

At temples, ashrams, and dojos across the world, Sifus (Masters) and Sihings (Adepts) accept disciples who display open minds and serious purpose. Each teacher typically teaches only one pupil at a time. Akashic doctrine maintains that every person must find his or her way to enlightenment; as a result, Akashayana receive very little guidance or encouragement. Many frustrated pupils give up on this Path; those who persist, however, cultivate impeccable fitness of mind, heart, and body

## Focus

“Magick” is actually self-perfection and cosmic harmony. To master such Arts in the proper Way (Do), a person must expand awareness in all things, clarify thoughts, focus the body, and subdue emotional confusion. Asian alchemy, craftwork, faith, yoga, social dominion, and martial arts training allow a Brother to channel life energy (chi) toward astounding feats of physical, mental, and energetic achievement. As a result, common paradigms include Bring Back the Golden Age, Everything’s an Illusion, It’s All Good, and occasionally Might is Right.

## Glossary

**Akasha:** 1. The fifth element (after Earth, Water, Fire and Air) in Hindu and Buddhist metaphysics, which only exists relative to (and is necessary to the existence of) the other four. 2. An honorific given to the Ascended of the Brotherhood, who are considered to have merged with this element. 3. Ascension, the union with Akasha, the energy of impermanence and interconnectedness.

**Akashi:** The name used by the Akashic Brotherhood until the Himalayan Wars, when they changed it to emphasize that they were a different “vehicle” (yana) to enlightenment than other sects

**Akashakarma:** 1. The impressions all beings make upon the fabric of the Tapestry with their actions; magic makes these tangible to the Akashayana. Called the Akashic Record by Western Brothers. 2. The passive (Yin) principle of Akashic philosophy, similar to the Taoist wu-wei.

**Akashayana Sangha:** “The Order of the Vehicle of Akasha.” The name the Tradition uses for itself. “Sangha” more strictly refers to the Kannagara monastic order. “Akashayana” is used on its own as well, to emphasize that each Brother is a vehicle for the Akasha, in a singular or plural fashion.

**Bodhicitta:** The Avatar. Not an indestructible soul, but a concept and feeling of enlightenment that speaks to the mage.

**Bodhisattva:** In Akashic usage, an Oracle; one who has refused final enlightenment to help others attain Samadhi.

**Bodhimandala:** Also Tao Chang, Dojo or Dojang. A Chantry.

**Chi:** Quintessence.

**Chi’n Ta:** An Asian mage

**Dharma:** 1. In Hindu belief, a set of social mores and ritual behaviors that one must follow to live a good life. 2. In Buddhism, an ultimate truth about the nature of wisdom and the universe. 3. In Akashic terminology, a core magical principle or field, often used to refer to the Spheres.

**Dragon:** One of the Three Ministers of the Sam Chien. Entropy in the Metaphysic Trinity. Associated with Yin.

**Dragon Nest:** A Node.

**Drahma:** The short form of Draladharma, hybridized term derived from Tibetan and Sanskrit meaning, “the law of transcending the enemy.” The active (Yang) principle in Akashic philosophy.

**Lung-ta:** Also called the Kai-lin, or Windhorse. A spirit aligned with the Li-Hai and some hengeyokai, associated with the Maya Realm, the stars and enigmas.

**Lin Shen:** “Forest Spirit.” A Jnani hermit. Sometimes a euphemism for a Brotherhood assassin.

**Meru’ai:** The people of Meru, the oldest name for the Akashayana.

**mudra:** A hand gesture used to invoke and direct spiritual energy. Among the Akashic Brotherhood, it also serves as a sophisticated sign language.

**Phoenix:** One of the Three Ministers of the Sam Chien. Stasis in the Metaphysic Trinity. Associated with Heaven.

**Phoenix Robes:** Alternate name for the Kannagara.

**rinpoche:** A title for a Brother who was a Brother in a previous life. Also called a tulku.

**Samadhi:** Ascension.

**Sam Chien:** “Triple Struggle,” called Trican in Sanskrit. The Metaphysic Trinity, both as an internal cycle and as the cosmic forces of Tiger, Dragon and Phoenix.

**Santana:** The self. Literally, “stream.” The Akashayana believes that self is in constant flux and intertwined with the Ten Thousand Things, such that it cannot be said to have an independent existence.

**Sifu:** A Master.

**Sigung:** An Archmage.

**Sihing:** “Elder Brother.” An Adept.

**Tao-shih:** “Way Scholar/Warrior.” A Do specialist within the Brotherhood.

**Tiger:** One of the Three Ministers of the Sam Chien. Dynamism in the Metaphysic Trinity. Associated with Yang.

**Warring Fist:** 1.Wu Chuan, the martial art of the Vajrapani. 2. A derogatory nickname for the Vajrapani and the Brotherhood as a whole.