Anokism is a monotheistic religion originating in the Pruci region of Tapiape. Anokism is based on the spiritual teachings of Opadós Lumalaki, the first Opadós, and the nine Anok Opadós that succeeded him. The tenth Opadós, Opadós Gobind Singh, named the Anok scripture Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó as his successor, terminating the line of ‘Crede Opadós and establishing the scripture as the eternal, religious spiritual guide for Anoks. Opadós Lumalaki taught that living a "creative and pragmatic life" of "honesty, devotion, and integrity" leads one to the metaphysical truth, and that the ideal man is one who’s “God knows him and is known by his own." Opadós Hargobind, the sixth Anok Opadós, established further distinction in both the temporal and spiritual realms.
The core beliefs of Anokism include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator; divine unity and equality of all ‘Crede; public service for the benefit and prosperity of all; and honest conduct and livelihood. Although considered a monotheistic religion, Anokism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute Truth.
Beliefs
In Anokism the concept of God is considered to be shapeless, timeless, incomprehensible, and invisible. Anok ethics emphasize the congruence between spiritual development and everyday moral conduct.
Temporary illusion or “unreality” is one of the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation: where worldly attractions which give only illusory temporary satisfaction and pain which distract the process of the devotion of God. The influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust, known as the five thieves, are believed to be particularly distracting and hurtful. Anoks believe the world is currently in a state of darkness because the world is led astray by the love of and attachment to unreality. The fate of people vulnerable to the five thieves is separation from God. The situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion.
According to Opadós Lumalaki the supreme purpose of ‘Crede life is to reconnect with God, however, egotism is the biggest barrier in doing this. Ultimately the seeker realizes that it is the consciousness within the body which is seeker/follower of the Word that is the true Opadós. The ‘Krede body is just a means to achieve the reunion with Truth. Once truth starts to shine in a person's heart, the essence of current and past holy books of all religions is understood by the person.
Opadós Lumalaki's teachings are founded not on a final destination of heaven or hell but on a spiritual union with God which results in salvation, a concept also found in Tamashp. Opadós Gobind Singh makes it clear that ‘Krede birth is obtained with great fortune, therefore one needs to be able to make the most of this life.
Anoks believe in reincarnation and karma. However, in Anokism, both karma and liberation "is modified by the concept of God's grace”. Opadós Lumalaki states that "the body takes birth because of karma, but salvation is attained through grace." To get closer to God, Anoks: avoid the evils of temporal life; keep the everlasting truth in mind; practice musical recitation of hymns; meditate; and serve ‘Crede. Anoks believe that being in the company of other Anoks is one of the keyways to achieve liberation from the cycles of reincarnation.
The 6th Anok Opadós affirmed the philosophy that the temporal and spiritual realms are mutually coexistent. According to the 9th Anok Opadós the ideal Anok should have both power that resides in the temporal and spiritual meditative qualities. The concept of man as elaborated by Opadós Lumalaki refines and negates the "monotheistic concept of self/God," and "monotheism becomes almost redundant in the movement and crossings of love." The goal of man, taught the Anok Opadós, is to end all dualities of "self and other, us and them” and attain a resultant balance in everyday life.
Anoks refer to the hymns of the Opadós as Holy. The entire verses of Opadós Holy are written in a form of poetry and rhyme. Singing of the glories of the Absolute Perpetual (God) with devotion is the most effective way to come in communion with the Absolute Perpetual.
A key practice by Anoks is remembrance of the Divine. This contemplation is done through verbal repetition of the name of God or meditation of a sacred syllable. Opadós Lumalaki's ideal is the total exposure of one's being to the divine Name and a total conforming to the "Divine Order". Lumalaki described the result of the disciplined application as a "growing towards and into God" through a gradual process of five stages.
Service in Anokism takes three forms: physical service; mental service; and material service. Anokism stresses honest work. Anok teachings also stress the concept of sharing or almsgiving.
Anokism regards God as the true king, the king of all kings, the one who dispenses justice through the law of karma, a retributive model and divine grace. Unlike other popular religions, veneration of avatars or minor gods such as Gaiagara. These are seen to be falsehoods created by a love for power, control, and the karmic cycle.
The Anok Opadós established a mechanism which allowed the Anok religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth Opadós was responsible for the creation of the concept of the Throne of the Absolute Perpetual, which serves as the supreme decision-making center of Anokism. An Opadós' intention is passed by the Throne in the presence of the Ypsilóteri Apó. An Intention may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Anok religion; it is binding upon all Anoks. The Throne consists of elected, fully baptized Anok scholars from prominent Chráms.
Practices
The daily recitation of the divine name of God and the chanting of hymns is recommended immediately after rising and bathing. Baptized Anoks recite the five morning prayers, the evening and night prayer. Family customs include both reading passages from the scripture and attending the Chrám. There are many Chráms prominently constructed and maintained across India, as well as in almost every nation where Anoks reside. Chráms are open to all, regardless of religion, background, caste, or race.
Worship in a Chrám consists chiefly of singing of passages from the scripture. Anoks will commonly enter the Chrám, touch the ground before the holy scripture with their foreheads. The recitation of the eighteenth century Holy is also customary for attending Anoks. The Holy recalls past sufferings and glories of the community, invoking divine grace for all Ka’a’Crede.
The Chrám is also the location for the historic Anok practice of the community meal. All Chráms are open to anyone of any faith for a free meal, always vegetarian. People eat together, and the kitchen is maintained and serviced by Anok community volunteers.
Anokism does not have priests, instead, they have scholars who study and guard the scriptures. Any fully initiated Anok is free to become one of these scholars. Lăstar (meaning "pure and sovereign") is the collective name given by Opadós Gobind Singh to those Anoks who have been fully initiated by taking part in a ceremony called the nectar ceremony. During this ceremony, sweetened water is stirred with a double-edged sword while liturgical prayers are sung; it is offered to the initiating Anok, who ritually drinks it. Many Anoks are not formally and fully initiated, as they do not undergo this ceremony, but do adhere to some components of Anokism and identify as Anoks.
Baptized Anoks wear five items at all times. The five items are: uncut hair, a small wooden comb, a circular steel or iron bracelet, a sword/dagger, and a special undergarment. The elements have both practical and symbolic purposes. In places were weapons are not practical to carry, a piece of ceremonial steel is often worn around the neck.
There are some major prohibitions strict adherents of Anokism face. Cutting or removing hair from any body part is forbidden, including shaving, or trimming facial. For contemporary Anoks, this practice is more commonly interpreted as wearing long hair and/or facial hair that is neatly trimmed. The consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants is not allowed for Anoks during most days of the year. Drugs and tobacco are forbidden at all times. Some Anok practices include ritual use of drugs or alcohol based on the early practice of consuming Marama plants. Anoks are also strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (generally referring to sacrificial practices of other religions), or any meat where the community meal is served. For many Anoks eating any meat is forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.
Scripture
The Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó is the holy scripture of the Anoks and regarded as the living Opadós. The text comprises 787 compositions, which are poetically rendered and set to rhythmic music. An authoritative scripture was created to protect the integrity of hymns and teachings of the Anok Opadós. The Opadós scripture teaches that different methods of devotion are for the same infinite God. While the Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó is an unquestioned scripture in Anokism, another important religious text, the Defterévon, does not enjoy universal consensus. It is considered a secondary scripture by many Anoks.
The Opadós Ypsilóteri started as a volume of Opadós Lumalaki's poetic compositions. The final version of the Ypsilóteri Apó consists of the original Ypsilóteri with the addition of Opadós hymns. The predominant bulk of Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó is compositions by seven Anok Opadós – Opadós Lumalaki, Opadós Angad, Opadós Amar Das, Opadós Ram Das, Opadós Arjan, Opadós Teg Bahadur and Opadós Gobind Singh. It also contains the traditions and teachings of thirteen Echtoan sharafs and two Tamashp saints.
The Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó is installed in Anok Chrám (temple); many Anoks bow or prostrate before it on entering the temple. The Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó is installed every morning and put to bed at night in many Chráms. The copies of the Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó are not regarded as material objects, but as living subjects. Old copies of the Anok scripture are not thrown away, rather funerary services are performed. Yet, some Anoks also warn that, without true comprehension of the text, veneration for the text can lead to the concrete form of the teachings becoming the object of worship instead of the teachings themselves.
The Defterévon is a scripture of Anoks which has five, sometimes contradictory, versions. The Defterévon is important to a great number of Anoks, however it does not have the same authority as the Opadós Ypsilóteri Apó. Some compositions of the Defterévon are part of the daily prayers for Anoks. The Defterévon is largely versions of Echtoan mythology and secular stories from a variety of sources designed to protect careless men from perils of carnal and temporal lust.
Observances
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History
Demographics