Buddhist In Nomine Revised
I figured, now that I have the time, I would do this over into a playable and understandable form.
In general we can see the archangels as Tibetan Buddhist deities (which I know little about) or bodhisattvas, which I know a bit more about. Tibetan Buddhists pray and worship to lots of deities and bodhisattvas for intervention in their lives. These bodhisattvas all have names, but I do not have the references right now to look these up so I leave them listed by their purpose, i.e. "bodhisattvas of compassion." If you need a name for one of them, make it up, or, better yet, look it up. "Bodhisattva" in this document reefers to the Buddhist being, not the In Nomine soul. Note:I am a Theravada Buddhist so I do not pray to these beings, but I do know a little about them.
Archangels:
In general the angels support Buddhism and help it along.
Blandine: Buddhists are supposed to train themselves to see the proper perceptions of the cosmos. As such Blandine, an archangel of illusion, may seem to be little involved with Buddhists. This is not the case. Blandine works not just to create peaceful illusions for those who need them; she also works to eliminate misplaced and harmful illusions. Often, a mortal will be come wrapped in one of Beleth dreamscapes and be unable to distinguish real life from , and helps people see the true world and distinguish it from their dreams.
David: David, although not often involved in Buddhism, generally serves to remind Buddhist of the first of the Four Noble Truths, that all life is suffering. This reminds Buddhists of their goal to end suffering and keeps them focused. David's word, along with Laurence's and Michael's, is also invoked when violence is nesasary as a teaching tool. David could very well be the bodhisattva of violence.
Dominic: No special policy.
Eli: Eli often serves as the inspiration for new teachings and new teachers. He also serves to grant hope and faith to the struggling masses on Earth, something the Buddhists of Tibet are in dire need off. The bodhisattva of inspiration may be an aspect of Eli.
Some Buddhist-minded angels believe that Eli's current separation from Heaven may have been caused by his preoccupation with Earth, it is a basic Buddhist tenant that one should not become to attached to anything. They fear that this will only damage Eli more, the more time he spends on Earth.
Gabriel: Along with Eli, Gabriel serves to inspire teachers and teachings, although this has certainly changed since her mission to Mohammed. Gabriel's word also serves as a popular means if protest by Buddhists through self-immolation.
Janus: Janus often serves to help Buddhists change their minds and their lives, so that they do not become to attached to anyone thing.
Note: Why would anyone willingly play a Malak of Janus? Just about any use of their attunement cause disturbance on a large scale, probably bringing every celestial in the area running.
Jean: No special policy.
Jordi: The archangel of Animals respects Buddhists more than most humans. Buddhists are often vegetarians and have a healthy respect for all life. There are many stories of wise Buddhists being protected by the animals of the forest, this could be Jordi's doing.
Laurence: The Sword does not usually go well with the pacifist Buddhist. Laurence played a major role in the creation of the bushido code of Japan, which was derived from Zen Buddhism. This ultimately backfired on Heaven as Saminga and Baal stuck their talons into the militaristic bushido Japan and transformed the warrior code from an art form to an indoctrination of non-thinking soldiers leading ultimately to the second world war.
Marc: Marc generally leaves Buddhism to those more associated with it. He does try and guard against Nybbas's schemes to make Buddhism a "flavor of the month" item, though. (Anyone else notice that the Dali Lama is in vogue these days?)
Michael: Like Laurence, Michael is not overly concerned with the peaceful Buddhism. He does, however, promote conflict as a means to enlightenment through debate and conversation.
Novalis: Generally the most peaceful archangel, Novalis gets along well with Buddhists. She is, however, very emotional and tends to let her emotions rule her, something very non-Buddhist. She tries very hard to prevent her natural emotional exuberance from pouring over too much, but she does not always succeed. Novalis may be the bodhisattav of compassion, a being said to be reincarnated in the Dali Lama.
Yves: Yves works to guide man to its destiny. If this includes Buddhism, so be it. If Yves sees a human whose destiny is linked to Buddhism, he will guide the man towards the religion.
Demon Princes:
The demons tend to play upon Buddhism's denial of excessive emotion and violence as a means to destroying them.
Andre: Andre really gets a kick out of torturing Buddhists. Sex is a natural human drive but many Buddhists attempt to drive it away. This often causes against and pain and more unfulfilled lust.
Asmodeus: The Prince of the Game tends to manipulate Buddhists on a whole-scale level rather than working with one at a time, pushing Buddhists against Muslims etc. If Asmodeus can keep the pieces of major religions in check, Hell may win the war.
Baal: Typically Baal has little interest in pacifists but he can still get them to work for him, as demonstrated by the bushido affair.
Beleth: Beleth plays upon the emotional detachment of Buddhists and crafts nasty illusions to lure them away from the proper perception of reality and dreams.
Belial: Man, he loves to see those monks throw themselves into the fire!
Haagenti: Buddhists really get to this guy. The try and live without acting on impulse, emotion or appetite, Haagenti's bread and butter. They taste good, though.
Kobal: Kobal doesn't have any stereotypes about Buddhists or anyone else. He treats every victim as an individual, more fun.
Kronos: While Buddhism and religions in general usually lead to destiny, rather than fate, some people have their fates intimately tied to Buddhism. Kronos usually leads these people to Buddhism, they often become heartless, unfeeling and impassionate beings, just right for the Demon of Fate.
Malphas: Like the Demon of the Game, Malphas pits religions against religions as well as person against person. Malphas will happily dupe any Buddhist into antagonism against anyone else.
Nybbas: Nybbas is trying to stop the spiritual message by making Buddhism a fad. The Dali Lama is in vogue and his popularity is increasing, but his message is often lost in the Apple computer advertisements and other such things. Using a Buddhist to promote commercialism is a great laugh for Nybbas.
Saminga: Sam doesn't like Buddhists, they don't fear him as much as other mortals. They are no funny living, so Sam figures he might as well kill them.
Valefor: The Prince of theft is in no way a Buddhist. He is deeply attached to material objects and might as well focus on those mortals who are as well.
Vapula: No special policy.
Choirs:
Seraphim: These highest are extremely concerned with exposing illusion and this makes them somewhat Buddhist in outlook. Seraphim can appreciate the withdrawn and truth-seeking qualities of the wisest of Buddhists.
Cherubim: The cabbages are generally to attached to the mortal world to understand the Buddhist outlook on life.
Elohim: These angels connect really well with the emotional control of Buddhists. They often work to instruct Buddhists in there emotional control.
Other Choirs: No special policy.
Bands:
Djinn: These guys represent what demons wish Buddhists were, heartless and cold-blooded. A djinn or other demon will often try to push the Buddhist into becoming like the djinn as the logical conclusion of emotional control.
What do you think?
-Jesse
Suggested Reading: Tricycle, the Buddhist Quarterly; The Dhammapada, esp. Thomas Clearly's translation; Thich Nhat Hanh; just about anything from Wisdom Publications
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Elizabeth McCoy <arcangel@prismnet.com>
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