Custom Path of Enlightenment

Basic Beliefs
The teachings of the Path of Divine Accord is a vehicle by which to achieve nirvana.  With much of it teachings based on Vajrayana Buddhism, the Path of Divine Accord takes these mortal beliefs and adapts them to suit the undead state.  As many forms of Esoteric Buddhism fall under the auspices of Vajrayana Buddhism, these Cainites exalt their undead state as part of the natural cycle of the world.  Only through experience and understanding can a Bodhisattva achieve Nirvana.

Followers of the path also understand the material world is but one of many. They know for a fact many other realms exist in reality.  Each has their own place and purpose in the great cycle of the existence.  These cainites believe it is their job to maintain this order regardless of its relation to the material world.  Certain natural laws or taboos should never be broken, less the balance effects all as if a pebble dropping into a pond.

Just as Humanity teaches there is a Golocnda to be had in Redemption, and the Path of Metamorphsis teaches of the alien evolution of Azhi Dahka; so too does the Path of Divine Accord teach of its own enlightenment.  To fully awaken and ascend to Nirvana and become a pure divine being.

In truth the Path of Divine Accord is a deviation from the Path of Honorable Accord using the older Path of Devaraja as a basis as well.  In this the Cainite acts as something of divine benefactor or herald of their own gods imbued with their power and strength.

Ethics
• You must act as a god would, smiting your enemies and granting succor to your followers
• You must give homage to the divine and gain its blessing
• Never turn away a follower.  Worshippers come from all walks of life.
• Always keep your word and honor your agreements
• Never show cowardice.  Overcome your fears

History
The Path of Divine Accord was created using the Sabbat’s Honorable accord and the older Path of Devaraja. Hardly the first time the Children of Caine had stolen the teachings and lessons of another path of enlightenment; still the path is a relatively new creation.  Created by a Shingon Buddhist Brujah Antiribu the path has relatively few followers.

While the Sword of Caine is a vampire sect of faith, it is far more commonly one of the stolen ones from the Western Faiths.  Few vampires walk paths of enlightenment of a far more Eastern bent.  The path of Eastern Paradox is a small but growing following among the Sect’s Ravnos Antitribu.  The Path of Self-Focus has an even smaller following among the sect.  These two paths adapt the mortal faiths of Hinduism and Taoism respectively.  However, those Cainites of the Sabbat who wish to follow the teachings of Buddhism are lacking in options.

The teachings of Buddhism and the Sabbat first came into being when a Sabbat pack in China started to expand and learn the traditional ways of their now native culture.  The result of which created the cult known as the Diamond Thunderbolt.  This Cult has slowly grown and spread among the Eastern Sabbat and a few Sabbat who call North America home.  The Path of the Dharmic Dragon was created for a member of the Diamond Thunderbolt in hopes it may seed to grow.  As the Diamond Thunderbolt is home to two other paths known by none outside of it.  The Path of Isthar and the Path of the Diamond Thunderbolt are two examples of other paths created by the Cult that promote the teachings of eastern enlightenment.  All be it, in varied and different ways.

Though small in number, the members of the Diamond Thunderbolt hope to spread these paths to their eastern sabbat brethren and unite them under one banner.  Offering something truly unique from the regular offerings of the Western Sabbat.  In time it is hoped these teachings may even spread to their Eastern Brethren as well.  The members of the path point to obscure noddist teachings of Caine’s travels to the East for enlightenment and Salout’s journey as well.  They claim Golconda is a lie propagated by a Western Faith.  They claim the true enlightenment found by Caine and Salout was Nirvana, to ascend beyond their current form.  It is their hope with this they may yet be able to rise above the Antediluvians and be able to defeat them.

Current Practices
Bodhisattvas practice many and varying rituals based on their particular form of Vajrayana Buddhism.  Many of these religious rituals have been adopted into the Ritae of the Sabbat as means to express their faith.

In addition to this, members of the path follow a book called the Blood Sutras.  These contain tales of Caine and Salout’s travels east.  They claim these are the original tales of Caine’s pursuit of Enlightenment before the tales were corrupted by Western Influence.  In addition, the Blood Sutras contain practices by which all followers should perform. Each a means to awaken their chakras to achieve nirvana.  These techniques are said to guide one on their journey to Nirvana.  There are even stories and legends in the Blood Sutras of a means to awaken a Cainte’s Po as a means to achieving nirvana.  For a follower of the Divine Accord  this shows its history in the teachings of honorable accord.  Whereas knights have their own Code of Milan as a moral code, the Bodhisattvas have the Blood Sutras for the same purpose.

Additionally, the Spirit world is of great importance to those who follow this path.  The followers of this Path call this place the Velvet Shadow.  It holds within it all the Heavens, the 1,000 hells, the lands of the dead, Yama, and many more.  Each realm created with a purpose and a role.  It is when these place and things are meddled without outside the natural cycle of their purpose; a bodhisattva must act to correct the balance.  To the followers of the path these are called Taboos.  Rules of the natural world to never be broken.  One can make a covenant with a spirit but one cannot enslave one.  Those that are dead should remain dead to be reincarnated.  These are a few examples of taboos among the followers.

Followers
The Path of the Dharmic Dragon is predominantly followed by Brujah Antitribu and Salubi Antitribu.  Many of its members seem passionate yet whimsical.  Confrontation is enlightenment to these vampires, and they go out of their way to enlighten everyone in the vicinity. Shunning society's restrictions, they explore life's lush infinities through martial arts and Tantric practices. Followers of the path are highly animistic. Looking deep into nature, each sees the spirits beneath life's skin, and they honor them with thanks, gifts and rites. Truly skilled Followers can move beyond the Wall and speak to the spirits in their own tongue; a younger one simply recognizes the kami and grants them respect. Followers are also known for their willingness to involve others in their lives. Life is not a solitary game - it requires lovers and rivals and romance and danger, if it is to keep the Bodhisattva on edge and awake.

Following the Path
The Path of the Divine Accord is a path in pursuit of true enlightenment and to guide others as well to Nirvana.  They are also something of guardians of the cycle and order of the world.  While many consider vampires outside the natural order as undead things, the Bodhisattvas believed they are part of the natural cycle of the world and have a purpose in that cycle.  Not only to guide others but to maintain the balance of the world and correct broken taboos of those laws performed by others.

Followers of the path spend equal time in meditation and self-reflection as they do enjoying new experiences. Only be experiencing an event can a Bodhisattva truly understand it and what it means to them.  They don’t make judgements without trying to understand and experience first.  In this way they can be viewed as aloof and flippant and also deep and introspective.  A duality of being and purpose that often confuses those who do not follow the path.

Hierarchy of Sins
Rating Moral Guideline Rationale
10 Failing to recognize the Divine, Your power comes from divine will.
9 Failing to show hospitality to your allies, Hospitality and generosity are the wealth of the soul
8 Treating another with disrespect, Respect must be given to earn it from others
7 Failing to participate in your groups rituals, Tradition and ritual are important parts of heritage
6 Placing personal desire over duty, A leader must do what is best for the many, not the one
5 Failing to protect your allies, Defend those who are worthy of your esteem
4 Failing to pursue the divine ,True Nirvana and enlightenment is the end goal of all paths; to turn from it is to forgo the path.
3 Showing cowardice, Honor lies in fighting for a cause, not fleeing it
2 Killing without purpose, It is your divine duty to protect worshippers, not kill them
1 Breaking your word of oath; failing to honor an agreement, To break one’s oath is to define one’s divine nature and covenants they may forge.