Face of the Gods

The Face of the Gods is one of the heretical Dharma's among the Kuei-jin. It concerns itself mainly with Hun and P'o.

Overview
The history of this Dharma is actually divided into the much older Indian tradition of the Celestial Tribe, and the heretic visions of the mad poet O. According to both Dharma's, twin souls are more than cleaved demons, according to the Godlings. Instead, the Hun and the P'o are remembrances of a divine state once achieved. Cast back into human form for a lifetime, the Godlings return from death as blessed immortals, gifted with superlative powers but also with infinite desire. To return to the godhead, one must find the seat of divine power -- and this means mediating between the lusts of divine passion and the awareness of incipient omnipotence. Calling upon the universal energies of Yin and Yang, the Godlings shape the universe around themselves, seeking to hone their forms back into the sublime. Both expressions of this Dharma are classified as heresies by the Quincunx and and hunted without mercy.

The Celestial Tribe
The Celestial Tribe is far older than the Quincunx, and may even predate the mortal birth of the Grand Arhat Xue -- that is, if you believe what these heretics say. Those that side with orthodox teachings often scoff at the latter idea (though they grudgingly admit the heresy existed before the formation of the Five August Courts). The Godlings of India tell a story of Sita, who was exiled by her husband, the solar prince Rama, for rumored perfidy. Despiet her innocence, Sita accepted her husband's orders and lived as a hermit for a long time. Each night, she prayed to the gods and eventuaolly, the god Narayan answered her. Asking what he could do to ease her suffering, she asked that her children should become beloved by the gods. In time, Sita's children became a mighty brood and built palaces for her mother. The gods, however, came to saw these new beings as a threat to their rule and and asked Yama to kill them. But death wasn't able to locate Sita and her children didn't stay dead, reanimated by their own virtue throughout the shackles of reincarnation. When the first of the indian Wan Kuei, Shiva-Ohm, became aware of his state as a child of Sita and assembled others like him to aveneg his mother and made Heaven see the error of letting Sita suffer.

The Celestial Nail
The other variant of this Dharma originates in the wirtings of O, a mad poet who had great insights into the spirit worlds. In his work, the Celestial Nail, O alleged that the true nature of the Wan Kuei was that of imprisoned gods and that all the trappings of their heaven-mandates society served only the purpose of distracting them from their divine nature.

Face of the Gods Training
Indoctrination of a new follower of the Dharma comes when an existing Godling takes it upon himself to reveal the truth of divinity to another. The Divine Faces favor philosophical and occult knowledge, mastering the energies of their transient bodies. Courtly graces and etiquette are also taught, as the Godlings must properly attend to their mortal followers.

Face of the Gods Weakness
Arrogance and whimsy mark the Godlings. Convinced of their superlative destiny, they find the notion of living as cursed beings repugnant. Followers of other Dharmas are seen as deluded mystics who miss the opportunity for true greatness, so no small amount of friction results. When a Divine Face feels generous, bounty flows from his hands; when enraged, though, his godly wrath tumbles down ally and enemy alike. For this reason, few trust or willingly associate with the followers of this Dharma. Other Kuei-jin even secretly fear that the Godlings may be right.

Auspicious Omens and Symbols for the Face of the Gods
This lists the most important symbols and omens of the Dharma that are sometimes integrated into their homes and temples. The symbols are: Temple ceremonies, stands of burning incense and candles, shooting stars.

Affiliations for the Face of the Gods
The Heavenly realms, the color violent, and the south direction.

The Tenets of the Face of the Gods
1. Develop your divine nature

2. Expand both godly and demonic consciousness

3. Except the venerations of mortals, but answer their prayers in return

4. Harness Chi to bring back divinity to your divine form.

5. Act according to the tenets of your Godly Voice, and your Godly Desires shall be fulfilled.

6. Visit the Heavens to remember what you have lost.

7. Practice ritual and tradition to empower your own essence

8. Commune with the spirits; learn of their messages from Heaven