An Introduction to Jojiism

Traditional Sho cosmology includes three divine Elders. Each of these beings represents a value prized by the Sho. The Dragon stands for Discipline, and is the patron of soldiers. The Unicorn represents Compassion, the blood and spirit of the healer. The Phoenix is the Elder of the ascetic monk, representing Detachment from worldly goods, feelings and responses.

Sho tradition holds that these Elders used (or were used by) humans as a means of achieving power over the lands of the Sho. The Elders were often invoked by this house or that. But it was the Unicorn, the most selfless of the Elders, who revealed the Way to Jojii.

The Unicorn visited Jojii and taught him of a fourth, neglected value: Humility. Humans, Jojii learned, were the embodiment of this value. He also learned that only humans might bring all four values -- the Four Stones of Jojii -- into Right Action. By pursuing and bringing into one's heart all Four Stones through practice in Compassion, Discipline, Detachment and Humility, one finds the Way to Right Action, and ultimately to the Truth behind all Illusion. One thus defeats Desire and becomes Enlightened.

As each road differs, so too does each Way. The Life Mage applies health. The Blademaster applies force. But each discipline may be practiced in such a way as to include a balance of the four precepts. This may take many lifetimes; reincarnation thus exists, and is exemplary of the Illusion that is this world. When one realizes the Truth by bringing the Four Stones in harmony, one escapes the Illusion.

Many rejected Jojii's teachings. We are not to worhsip the Elders? Is this not just a ploy of the Unicorn? But Jojii's followers grew in number. He was soon accepted by the leaders of the great houses, and his efforts helped to bring some peace to their discord. His teachings now represent the bedrock of modern Sho philosophical thought.

(See the Philosophy section for primary source material.)