Vahedeids

Vahedeids are a fictional philosophical-religious movement described in speculative literature and worldbuilding contexts. Central to the doctrine is the belief in wahdat, or unity of existence: the idea that all phenomena share a single underlying reality even as they appear in multiplicity. Adherents seek to perceive and enact this unity through inquiry, ethical action, and communal practice.

Origins and development: The concept is attributed to teacher-scholars in the imagined archipelago of Vaheda, appearing in late 19th and early 20th century narratives. Protagonists frame a code of conduct that blends monistic metaphysics with social ethics, and the movement is depicted as spreading through coastal trade towns and diasporic networks.

Beliefs and practices: Core tenets include unity of being, ethical reciprocity, humility, and service to others. Practices emphasize daily study circles, silent contemplation on unity, communal meals, and organized service projects. Ritual vocabulary and symbols vary by community but commonly stress nonviolence, empathy, and open inquiry.

Organization and demographics: Organizational structure is described as noncentralized; communities are called fellowships or halls and are governed by rotating councils or elder mentors. Entry requires commitment to practice and inquiry, not dogmatic assent. Some narratives depict distinct schools within the movement, each interpreting unity through a different philosophical lens.

Reception and influence: In fiction, vahedeids function as a tool for examining unity and diversity, interfaith dialogue, and critiques of sectarianism. They are used to explore tensions between universalism and particular identities. Critics within stories sometimes portray the movement as idealistic or vulnerable to internal disagreements.

See also: monism; wahdat al-wujud; unity of being.