A different kind of Starclan?

[victorystars]

So, I had an idea for a Starclan that..Wasn't really a Starclan, really.
More like a different belief system for a clan, based off of Buddhist beliefs/reincarnation?

The ranks in the clan would be different, as the leader isn't above everyone else.
The leader is simply a cat who had reached inner peace, or 'enlightenment'.
The leader is usually an older cat. Maybe even elder ages. They do not lead the clan in a...Leading, worship me because I have nine lives sense, they are more the spiritual leader, helping their clan mates reach inner peace as well.

There is no deputy. The senior warriors organise patrols and the like. There is no need for a deputy, as the leader is not an inherited position. In fact, clans can go generations without a leader, as it's rare for a cat to reach inner peace.

In those times, the senior warriors and elders are looked to for guidance.

The main goal in life is to be peaceful and fair, in order to reach enlightenment, and get to Nirvana, the 'starclan' of sorts, where all the cats go for eternal peace.
Only cats that reach enlightenment go to 'starclan'(new name pending. Feel free to suggest ideas)

The cats that die without reaching inner peace are sent on the cycle of reincarnation.
They will be reborn, with a new body, a new personality..Though the 'soul', the 'life force' will stay in tact.
They will be reborn as a kit. Any kit, from any clan. a cat from Thunderclan in one life, may not end up in Thunderclan the next life.

There is an infinite amount of times a cat can go through the cycle of reincarnation, though each time they get a little wiser, and a little closer to enlightenment.

Let's use Tigerstar as an example.
When he dies. He is not sent to the Dark Forest. Eternal punishment does not exist.
Instead, his life force is transferred to a kit, who is born to a riverclan queen. The kit is named Brownkit. To be Brownstripe.
Brownstripe has no memories of his former life, but he is a little wiser then kits his age, and often gets deja vu when seeing things around the Riverclan/Thunderclan border, and he's not sure why.
That is how it works for everyone.

Now. Let's say Crookedjaw reached enlightenment and became leader. He would stay Crookedjaw. Leaders do not take -star at the end of their names, as they are equal to their clan. They are not superior.
When Crookedjaw dies, he is sent to 'Starclan', where he gets to be free of the clan drama and stress, and live an afterlife of peace.

Another change would be the warrior code:
It is called the warrior precepts, and it's more guidelines than anything else. You don't have to follow them, but if you want to reach enlightenment, then you probably should.

There are three main precepts:
Do not kill
Do not harm
Do everything with a clear mind.

There are other, less important 'guidelines', but the three warriors precepts are the main three to follow.

However, that last one is the most important one.

Say Thistleclaw kills someone in anger, bad.
Say Thistleclaw thinks about it for a while, and after a lot of thought and consideration, decides that killing that cat will keep the clan safe, and does it without doubt. Still bad, but in the eyes of the karmic balance, he thinks he did the right thing, so it's not as bad. However, he will not reach enlightenment, and when he dies, he will be reincarnated for another chance.

Medicine cats(and leaders, by extension) are like the monks of the clans, offering spiritual guidance, as well as having an extensive knowledge of herbs that regular cats don't. So, a medicine cat is often a cat that reached enlightenment.
However, leaders and medicine cats can not have a mate and kits, no matter the gender. It is considered a distraction from the spiritual role they are to lead. Considering this belief system is very spiritually based..Distractions from that are a very bad thing, and the cat won't reach enlightenment.

I was wondering what the amazing people here thought of the idea of alternate starclans? And are there ways I can improve this one?

[mistytail]

I really like this idea! I think it sounds pretty interesting and I'd love to see a fanfiction with it. I have some questions though.

1) How do the Clans maintain their borders? Do they rely on diplomacy? What if a Clan threatens them by marking where they shouldn't and trying to steal territory? Is war even an option in these Clans?

2) How can they go generations without a leader? While the idea that the leader should be no better than the rest of the Clan is a good thing, it seems sort of dangerous to leave that many individuals to fend for themselves. It also seems counter-productive, because the more stressed out they are from trying to protect themselves, the farther they'll be from reaching enlightenment.

3) How do they know if they reach enlightenment?

4) How are medicine cats trained? Does the enlightened healer take on an apprentice and try to show him or her the way to enlightenment so he or she can take over?

5) Why is having a mate a distraction from spirituality? What is the general attitude regarding mating and giving birth? I would think that if having kits is such a distraction from reaching enlightenment, no cat would mate ever. Also, does this imply that she-cats are less likely to reach enlightenment than toms, because she-cats are the ones who take care of their kits, or are toms just as likely to be swayed from it? Are toms required to care for their children and take turns with the she-cat?

[victorystars]

Ok. Well.
1) War is still an option, though it's a lot less likely then the regular clans. They rely on diplomacy, but know that sometimes fighting has to occur. They were born with claws and teeth for a reason, after all.

2) They don't fend for themselves, really. The senior warriors often take up patrolling and other deputy/leader duties, so when the leader dies, they just continue, after a short mourning period.

3) They know because they've reached inner peace of mind. They are no longer plauged by doubt or other 'wordly' desires.

4) The medicine cat will pick a kit it believes to be close to reaching enlightenment. The medicine cat, while closer to spiritual enlightenment then most warriors, is not a shoe in for leader.

5) Having a mate distracts the cats because they may care more about their family. The cats know that they need kits to survive, so only the medicine cats and leader are forbidden from having mates.
Females are not less likely to reach enlightenment. Although some cats would think so. They can have kits before they reach enlightenment, but afterwards, it becomes forbidden.
Bluefur would be allowed to have kits.
Bluefur would be forbidden to have kits after she became leader.

[mistytail]

Aaah, I see. All of that makes sense It's a really cool idea, I'd love to see a fanfiction revolving around it c: Nice work!