Eternal Flame Prayer
Ashevite religious practice
In Ashvetist religious prayer, practitioners turn towards a flame (Nimearan: asham, Klemmu: b'ñay, Tiefenese: klyns) or another source of light while speaking their incantations. Fire is the representation of everything sacred in Ashvetism. Although Fire Temples are common places of prayer, Ashevite scriptures do not prescribe worshipping in a temple and make no mention of specific places of worship. Indeed, most flame prayer takes place at home, with particularly notable or significant prayers, such as those during certain religious holidays and festivals.
History
Ashvetism holds that the effectiveness of a person's beliefs is demonstrated in that person's deeds, or a life based on good deeds is prayer in action. However, Uriret recognised that symbolic ritual had a role to play in affirming these beliefs and actions. He created various hymns – known as manthras – to help with this. These hymns are believed to be the original words of Uriret, faithfully preserved as an oral tradition through generations of Ashevites clergy.
Execution
At home, one faces a source of light, either standing or sitting, and says their prayer or "manthra". Standing before an eternal flame reciting a manthra is one way to contemplate the nature of Eshe's creation and how to work in concert with it – an act of piety and worship.
Participants
Fire Prayer can be done alone or in groups. At a temple, a Fire Keeper may assist in the prayer, guiding the practitioner through relevant scriptures and hymns.
Observance
Most of the time, visits to a proper Eternal Flame in a Fire Temple are reserved for auspicious events such as weddings, deaths, births, and other notable life events. Lighting a candle is common place for personal prayer at the home or in a high up place outdoors. There are daily prayers, said by the most devout and by the clergy for the five sections of the day, as well as reciting a special set of prayers before and after bathing. Other prayers are said in a fire temple or at the home during certain periods of the year, for various holidays observed by their local branch of the faith, and for community festivals.
Important Locations
Related Organizations
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