Ignorance

Ignorance (Fengese: 無明, : Wúmíng), in Infernalism, is the state of not possessing gnostic knowledge on the "true" nature of reality as taught by the faith. This is in contrast to Erudition, which is the possession of such knowledge; and heresy, which is the pathological dissemination of false knowledge.

Ignorance, in of itself, is considered to be the natural state of reality, embodying the Infernalist belief that the human being is a combination of the Brilliant and Oblivious essences: the Brilliant vitae and brings consciousness and intelligence to the Oblivious mortal husk. The vitae, inherently gnostic through its nature as pure Brilliance, is however made ignorant by the Oblivious husk, which taints the human existence with carnal desires and confusion. Capable of free will and reason, humans are able to break free of their carnal bonds, while all other living beings and the Brilliance within them are trapped by their carnal compulsions. In Infernalist historiography, the faith's messianic prophetess Yanshizu is considered to be the first being to ever overcome this "barrier of ignorance", attaining erudition and recognizing the ultimate necessity of enlightening all.

In mainstream Infernalist theology, ignorance is considered to be undesirable, though not inherently evil. An ignorant, blind to the fundamental truth that is the falsity of perceivable reality, is inevitably fated to traumatic descension upon reincarnation in the Vital Spiral. Even if one was to embody gnostic knowledge and actions comparable to erudition in the eyes of Infernalism, they will still be considered ignorant if lacking or worse, rejecting belief in Infernalism's precepts, their admirable ego only a mere shadow to the erudition which may be possessed by an Infernalist. In essence, Infernalism considers piety to be prerequisite to any improvement in one's karmic state in the Vital Spiral, that being ascension or total transcension.

The end of ignorance in the universe is the fundamental mission of Infernalism, believed to be the key to all beings' transcendental salvation. Humanity - as agents of reason in which fragments of Brilliance, the vitae reside - are instrumental in the eventual result of the Cosmic Struggle, as it is their capability to cultivate their inner vitae that decides whether the divine spark within them may ascend towards Brilliance or descend towards Oblivion. In expansive terms, the collective vita of all humanity is the deciding factor in the Cosmic Struggle, the salvation of humanity through transcension contingent on the enlightenment of all vitae: every human in existence and to ever exist. It is believed that upon all's collective transcension, all Brilliant sparks trapped within their carnal prisons in the Microcosm will be liberated and enjoy salvation in the blissful Eternal Consummation. "'Upon our grand triumph in the [Cosmic] Struggle, Brilliance shall overcome Oblivion, reason over confusion and existence over void, casting its erudite radiance upon all existence such that even the beasts and plants will join our chorus of knowledge."