Tanitaniatani

  

Ai's Triangle, a popular symbol and optical illusion used to convey the meaning of Tani⁓a⁓

Tanitaniatani (Kai: , commonly shortened to Tani⁓a⁓) is a concept in Ramvokism which describes the relationship between the Four Goddesses and the realities of the Universe. There is no direct term which accurately translates the term and it is usually translated as "contradiction" or "paradox". Its literal translation is with–to–against and is sometimes referred to as the with–to–against principle. It is popularly understood to mean that the world's apparent contradictions and inconsistencies are reflective distortions of the truth. The phrase "Contradiction is truth" is commonly attributed to the concept of tani⁓a⁓. According to Ramvokism, contradiction is a symptom of disharmony and incongruence with reality. Both mortal and immortal beings, including the gods such as the Four Goddesses, cannot avoid or escape the contradictions of the Universe. Only Ai, the Supreme Being of the Universe, exists outside of contradiction as its originator and author. There are various tani⁓a⁓ identified within Ramvokism. One of the most famous mantras in Ramvokism invokes the tani⁓a⁓ statement of: "In nothing there is everything, in everything there is nothing".

The concept of tani⁓a⁓ has its roots in the Benyi. It was further expounded upon in the Revelations of Ram by the prophet Ram who discussed tani⁓a⁓ at great length. The tani⁓a⁓ doctrine is tied to the Ramvokist concept of the rushin or Four Goddesses, who are emanations of Ai. Each of the Four are distinct, separate beings but are co-equal and united in spirit, purpose, and will as one in a quadriad of deities proceeding from the Creator. Simultaneously, each of the Four are linked to one another by power dynamic and social relationship. These include positive, negative, dominating, and submissive relationships to one another, which plays a central role in the idea of tani⁓a⁓. There are several branches of Ramvokist philosophy which deal with tani⁓a⁓. The study of tani⁓a⁓ which concerns the rushin specifically is known as rushinatanitabu.

The concept of tani⁓a⁓ has similar meaning in Ainism and other Korati religions. In Ainism, tani⁓a⁓ plays a central role in the religion's understanding of sin and salvation.