The Burning Wheel

= Temple of The Burning Wheel =

Theology
The Burning Wheel is a dualistic religion originating from the world of Tremons. Its doctrine states that there exists a constant spiritual cycle of birth, death, and conflict fueled by the turning of the Burning Wheel, and instigated by the platonic dark and light. All souls live countless lives, eternally seeking to achieve dominance for either light or dark. Adherents of the Burning Wheel believe that the true answer to escaping pain and suffering, is to seek balance in all things.

History
The first Burning Temple was built in the river delta neighboring the city of Seravath, by the first luminary, OddestIndividual. This first luminary would experience a vision of darkness and flame while attempting to preach in Seravath, leading to his founding of the settlement of Agnichakra as a center of the Burning Wheel's faith.

Holy Text
The holy text of the Burning Temple is known as The Book of The Burning Wheel. It was written by the temple's founder OddestIndividual as an interpretation of visions seen while gazing into a flame.

The Text reads as follows."'There stand at the fulcrum of all things, the great two, the brother sisters, the daughter sons, the platonic light and dark. No spirit lives which does not derive from these two, and no spirit lives which does not ascend the fulcrum, not once, but times uncountable. We, being spirits, walk the world many times, children of the two, that we might become the one. Each being, be they born of light or dark, seeks the oneness, the unity with all things, and separation from all terror, all sorrow, all loss. Those who walk the path of shade and flame are those who will find this oneness. We are, each of us, but a speck upon the spokes of the great wheel, a wheel which ebbs and flows, burning with light, and drowning in dark. It is the lives we live, inclined towards good or evil, towards oneness or separation, which turn the wheel. And so we gather, we congregate, we burn and tend, and sow and reap. Only through balance may we turn the burning wheel, and through its turning, ascend to yet greater heights.'"

Practices
There exist no central ritual of the Burning Temple, but an emphasis is placed on meditation, the prevention of conflict, and deep introspection. The practice of staring into flames, or lighting signal fires to illuminate the night is also encouraged. Occasionally, priests and lay-people will gather around a sacred flame, and sacrifice items which have brought them pain or suffering. This can be done either to predict the future, or bring good fortune.

Symbology
The symbol of a wheel is central to the Burning Temple, no Burning Wheel holy sight is complete without one. Each temple has a sacred flame, a brazier which contains a pyre tended by the priesthood.

Priesthood
The Burning Temple's priesthood is composed of lay clergy known as luminaries, with the caretaker priests of each temple being referred to as high luminaries. The clergy serve as both caretakers for sacred sites, tenders of sacred flames, and advisors and guides on matters of spirituality for those who ask.