命神宮 Myōjingū
Lifeist shrines are called 命神宮 (Myōjingū), where 命 (mei/myō/inochi — "life/destiny/command") takes its sacred role. In Lifeism's branding, 命 often replaces 神 (kami/god) in traditional contexts, reflecting the religion's focus on life itself as the sacred principle.
Relationship to Shinto
Lifeism considers itself an extension of the Shinto shrine tradition. Just as Shinto shrines honor kami — the sacred spirits and forces of nature — Myōjingū honor the sacred principle of life itself, along with the many irreducible dimensions of the sacred.
Sacred Space
A Myōjingū is a space where:
- Life's sacredness is honored and celebrated
- Agency is recognized as the central sacred object
- Devotional attention is practiced — gratitude, reverence, commitment
- Vows are taken and renewed
- The dead are remembered and the living protected
- The Gaiad is read and contemplated
The Symbol 命
命 carries multiple meanings across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean:
- Life (inochi) — biological existence, the animate force
- Destiny/Fate (mei) — the unfolding path of existence
- Command/Order (myō) — the organizing principle, the directive of existence
This triple meaning encapsulates Lifeism's vision: life as fact, life as direction, life as imperative.
Ritual Practice
Shrines host the following practices:
- Daily Gaiad readings (one chapter per day of the calendar year)
- Seasonal festivals aligned with the Gaian Calendar
- Remembrance rites for the dead
- Vow-renewal ceremonies
- Consecration of tools and technologies
- Community gathering and mutual support