Shant Karotu

Some revere a mysterious figure called Shant Saddhu, translated as “the silent sage” or “the peaceful saint”. It began among the Davanians, allegedly by the silent sage himself, but has spread as well among the Then. The practice is called shant karotu, “to make peace” or “to make silence”. Its followers are called shanto saddhakah, “seekers of shant”. It teaches the cultivation of shant, variously “peace”, “harmony”, or “silence”. There are two primary sects, the Yamaras (Yàmǎ'ěr) and the Sikmathas. The major divide between them comes from disagreement over the meaning of the word “shant”. Where Yamara contends a meaning more along the lines of “peace”, “harmony”, or “agreement”, Sikmath puts forward a meaning of “silence”, “stillness”, or “suppression”. Yamaras cultivate an inner and an outer peace, seeking balance and order in their lives. They can be associated with routines, geometry, and rigour. They cultivate their bodies and spirits and are minorly ascetic, with too much wealth a force against balance. Yamara Shant Karotu is widely practised through much of the Kushan empire as well as beyond its borders, being most concentrated in the northeast. It is still vastly outnumbered by the traditional beliefs of the Kushan peoples, but some have begun to incorporate Shant Karotu beliefs and practices into their folk religions. The Sikmathas, a sect especially popular among the Then, are highly secretive and ascetic, with worldly pursuits being pursuits away from shant, “stillness”. They universally abstain from political life, and most society at large. Many live in the mountainous north of Then in small, hidden congregations. They frequently abstain from food and speech. Despite their nonviolence, Sarkon considers them a threat to their authority, and actively suppresses Sikmath Shant Karotu (Xíkèmǎ Xúnqiú Ānjìng) in their lands.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion