NationStates Jolt Archive


Prince's Personal Conversion to Makan Buddhism Causes Major Controversy

Aerion
07-12-2005, 08:03
The news headlines said it all, "His Royal Highness, Prince Damoen Wasterin, present Crown Prince of Aerion has made a personal declaration of faith in Makan Buddhism, after reportedly meeting several times with His Holiness the High Lama of Makan Buddhism. Makan Buddhism is a minor Aerion Buddhist sect, a blend of Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, only practiced by 8% of the population. This move has caused major controversy, considering that the majority of past Aerion governments as well as the Royal Family have been solely secular in nature. Already there is talk because of the Royal Family's extensive corporate holdings, and how this will affect the Prince's policy toward the megacorporations that are major power players in the Grand Kingdom of Aerion. Though the Prince has yet to be crowned King, reportedly for personal reasons, he is serving as acting Head of State in the absence of an King."

This would have major effects perhaps, as the Royal Family even held major stock in the only mega corporation in Aerion which provided "legal" recreational drugs to the streets.


--The 80th floor of Takares Telecommunications Headquraters, Kadon Provincial Capital City--

Adaden Takares, CEO of Takares Utilities sat at his desk in his elegant, yet modernist minimalist office on the 80th floor of Takares Telecommunications Headquarters in the provincial capital of Kadon. He watched the news reported on the flat screen TV, as across from him in one of the guest chairs sat Opan Kanono, Chairman of the Board of Takares Utilities. Adaden was in his thirties, with the dark arabesque features and brown eyes. He had an air of suave, and charm that was unmistakable. Opan Kanono on the other hand almost appeared to be the stereotypical capitalist pig, a fat man in a three piece gray flannel suit with graying hair with a large cigar in his mouth. He almost choked as he heard the news, and slammed his fist down on the CEO’s desk, “What the hell is wrong with that man. The Royal Family never has had any damned sense, but this one. If he starts trying to put regulations on us and implements environmental policies I am going to shoot him myself!.”

Adaden simply remained silent a moment, ignoring the boisterous Opan. He leaned back in his white leather chair, “We need to do something, but now is not the time. Many others will be angered as well by his decision, he may end up dead without us having to lift a finger.” “However, I do want to know what is going on with Prince Damoen.”

He pressed a button on his terminal, a few moments later a young male aide wearing a suit came walking in “Contact Section 55. Inform them that we need more information on the Prince’s behavior, and what he is saying in the Royal Palace. And inform them to be extra careful of RNSA Agents, the Surveillance Division has made several attempts to even tap my lines” The aide nodded, “Yes sir.” He stepped out of the room.

Section 55 was the corporate espionage section of Takares Telecommunications, most of Aerion’s mega corporations had such a division by various names, and often the webs of intrigue that resulted from this led to hiding bodies. Though rather than turning in on each other, the Aerion mega corporations had their eyes on the Prince, and who he would be permanently appointing for the new Royal Government. The Royal Family had been temporarily disposed, in one of the shortest of Aerion’s coups, by the Lord High Marshal who had his short way, however knew better than to try to anger the mega corporations of Aerion. Now Prince Damoen had returned from his temporary exile to sit upon the throne of Aerion once more. Of course most of this didn’t affect the average citizen, who were corporate wage slaves either way. But it might now.

Opan cringed as he thought as well, “Oh please don’t let him start bringing up human rights issues, we have enough problems with our human assets as it is now.” At the top mega corporate levels, the average Aerion corporate wage slave was known as an “asset”. Wage slave was usually more used by the average man to refer to how he felt under the corporations.

Adaden shakes his head, “Trust me, the Prince will not even be able to make those major changes. You know other corporations, the factories, all have a stake in him not making those decisions. It will be taken care of, I am sure.”

Opan nodded, “Very well, Im leaving it to you Mr. Takares to keep up with this. There is a Board of Directors meeting tomorrow, be there. Some of the Directors will have some questions for you on this, I am sure.”

Adaden nodded. “I will be there, good day Mr. Kanono.” The fat man got up, and walked out of the room. Adaden sighed, gazing out the windows on the huge city below, and the other skyscrapers. He punched In some keys on his terminal, and looked at the digital screen. He was looking at pictures of nude women, his lovers, “I wonder which one of you I will have tonight.”
Aerion
08-12-2005, 00:52
(bump)
Aerion
08-12-2005, 11:20
Prince Damoen Wasterin was being talked about, heavily, by the palace staff. And of course, agents of Section 55 of Takares Telecommunications had caught the information. The Prince was spending the majority of his time, perhaps 8 hours a day, locked within the Royal Suite in the Royal Apartments or his private study, and also it was rumored was meditating 3 hours a day straight. The only people who saw him were his top advisors, the High Lama himself, his Royal Bodyguard or his personal valet. He was not acting as the chief of state would normally act, there had been no official dinners as of late, and he did not even dine in the smaller dining room in the Royal Apartments. He dined totally alone. Also it was noted, the Prince’s menu had changed. He requested from the kitchen totally vegan food, his diet changing suddenly as the Prince had enjoyed a variety of meats. It was noted the Prince had almost stopped private audiences as of late as well, and many corporate executives from Aerion’s mega corporations which the Prince had been meeting with had left angrily from the Palace.

The Prince was definitely becoming a changed man, but if he would survive this change, in more ways than one, remained to be seen.
Kurona
08-12-2005, 19:05
Flood Refugee Center for the Parliment, Out Side Of Sonomi

Princess Tomoyo looked out at the blue sky. "Another beautiful day. I was begining to worry that we would never see Sun Shine and blue sky again."

Li Hirhito responded "All to true. Glad the weather has finally setteled down."

"So what news on the International Front?"

"the usual, wars, diplomacy, and well here's an intresting one, Prince Damoen Wasterin, has converted to Buddhism. Do you know him mi-lady?"

"I can't say that I do. Chances are we've bumped heads, but he doesn't ring any bells. How is the nation taking it?"

"It says Zen Buddhism, only practiced by 8% of the Corperate Population, he has returned from tempoary exile, and a lot of other things. I don't think this poses any real concern to us. After all our religous population is split half and half. 50% Catholic, 50% Shinto. "

"but of course I don't force anyone to chose their religion. Even if he is being persecuted there might not be much we can do. After all Kanami didn't stop the exiling of Muslims."

"Well maybe so, but Kanami is becoming a powerful poltical influence. And now with the formation of the Leauge of Nations...."

"I'm happy to be apart of the leauge but there are only five of us on the Leauge. Maybe I should just meet the prince, and see what he has to say."

"Are you sure about this mi-lady?"

"Perfectly. Maybe we can even become freinds."

"Yes ma'am."
Aerion
10-12-2005, 08:49
bump
Aerion
19-12-2005, 08:19
In recent news related to the controversy, it was reported on the news and in newspapers in similar worsd,

"His Royal Highness, Prince Damoen Wasterin, has declared that His Holiness the High Lama of Makan Buddhism shall serve as his personal spiritual advisor, granting him the title of Royal Advisor. The status associated with being an Royal Advisor is equiavalent to that of a Minister in the Royal Privy Council. This no doubt will continue the controversy of His Highness's conversion, and the controversy over His Royal Highness continuing to act as Chief of State without being crowned King."
Aerion
22-12-2005, 06:40
bump
Aerion
23-12-2005, 07:05
It is being said that the Prince is thinking of going on a pilgrimage to Makan Buddhist holy sites to the two most western provinces where Makan Buddhism is most prevalent, it is unknown if this would include a Royal Tour or not however.

His Holiness the High Lama has been flying back, and forth from the monastic city in the western mountains that is the home to Makan Buddhism, and the Royal Capital Astevane.
Aerion
02-01-2006, 12:09
"His Holiness, the Makan High Lama today announced that he will have an announcement of "major spiritual value" to the nation.

There are rumors the announcement may concern His Royal Highness, Prince Damoen Wasterin, whom the Makan High Lama has been visting at the Royal Palace at least twice weekly recently. Following his appointment as an Royal Advisor, giving him equal status to that of an Minister, the Makan High Lama has been spending more time in the Royal Capital of Astevane."
Aerion
08-01-2006, 22:39
Aerion News Network<ANN>
Astevane

Headline: Prince Announces Plans to Build "Grand Stupa" in the Royal District


"HRH Prince Damoen Wasterin announced his intentions to build a Buddhist Grand Stupa in the Royal District of Astevane. This plan he says will bring an element of "faith and contemplativeness" to the Royal District that is now absent. This would be the only religious structure in the Royal District outside of the National Cathedral, which served as the place of the coronation of King Wasterin X, and is largely interfaith in nature primarily serving for state and public ceremonies but rarely seeing actual activity it has served a more secular purpose.

Many criticize Prince Wasterin's decision, stating that this structure would disrupt the traditional architecture of the Royal District which has been well maintained with its "Greeko-Roman, Arabic, and Baroque" influences. The criticisms also continue of the Prince's displays of faith in general."