Tengoku Monastery

The Tengoku monks live on the four peaks of Shi-tō no Yama, a large mountain deep in Kondai territory. A pagoda sits atop each peak, the center most peak being the main temple where every monk begins and the three outer pagodas being temples to the three disciplines (endurance, the fist, and purity).

To become a monk of Tengoku, an individual must first prove themselves worth by ascending the mountain and kneeling in prayer at the one-thousand shrines that mark the way to the monastery. Many die. More give up. Those who make it to the top are judged and, if worthy, are granted entrance into the temple to begin anew and seek enlightenment.

Divine Origins

Legend tells of a thief that fled into the mountains to escape from the authorities. The thief climbed to the top of the highest mountain, hoping the climb would lose his pursuers and save his neck from the noose. When he reached the top of the mountain he encountered a being. It was a large, snow-white furred beast with the head of a yak, the body of a mongoose, the tail of a fox, and great, humanoid claws. The being looked at the thief and spoke to him of his life, as if the thief and he had been old friends. The being told the thief of things only the gods could know and, in awe of the beast's majesty, the thief pledged to change his life and build a temple in the beast's honor. This temple became known as the Tengoku Monastery and the beast it was build in recognition of was Enlightened Rajinda.