The Book

Logline: Twelve deities cum “corporate executives” along with their mysterious "chief executive" work together to re-write the rules for humanity.

Summary: Mankind has fucked up. 

Badly. 

So much so that the leaders of the twelve major religions have agreed to take "business trips" into humanity with the goal of writing new rules for the “company handbook." 

Each episode (except religious holidays, of course), they re-convene to discuss the learnings from their recent trips. 

In the last episode, it is finally revealed that the mysterious chief executive is a woman. She only attends the final meeting in-person and as the handbook is being finalized, she recites: "The poor men seems to be all in confusion, and don't know what to do.....I have heard the [book] and have learned that [woman] caused man to sin. Well, if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again." -- Sojourner Truth, "Ain't I A Woman?"

Main Characters:

“Abraham" (aka the "Elder Executive"): Among the oldest of the executives. A successful businessman who strongly believes in gentlemen’s agreements and keeping one’s promises. Enjoys making plans and sticking to them. A family man and patriarch of a very large, extended family; has 7 sons and many grandchildren -- often loses track of who's who and refers to his kin by the incorrect name (Abraham thinks Jesus and Muhammed might be his kin; he’s not really sure, but he treats them as extended family). When he's not at work, Abraham spends quality time with the family -- from family vacations to reuniting with "lost family members". Believes in "good orderly direction" and that everything happens for a reason, unfolding along a purposeful plan. Believes that human beings have a moral responsibility to act appropriately, and that The Voice is concerned with the actions of humans, specifically Abraham's constituents. Highly skeptical about changing “The Book”. Favorite number is twelve.

“Bahá’u’lláh” (aka "The New Kid"): the newest executive on the board. A nobleman and merchant from a well to do family, who demonstrated extraordinary knowledge and wisdom at a very early age. A prolific writer, humblebrags that he wrote over 18,000 works in his lifetime, including significant portions of his own book. Believes that each executive is a messenger and that the executives are fundamentally unified in their core message, yet the messages are progressive over time -- like chapters in the same book. Optimistic about humanity’s capacity to do good. Like Abraham, believes in covenants. Like Jesus, a bit skeptical about reincarnation because of previous life experience. Open to revising and/or adding to The Book through epistles, letters, new interpretations, etc. Doesn’t drink. Makes gates as a hobby, also enjoys gardening. Favorite number is 19. 

“Buddha”: (aka "The Enlightened One") A former prince now living as an “ordinary human being”. Everybody’s friend. Adaptable. Wants to experience everything for himself because in his opinion “experience trumps reason and testimony.” Shuns hierarchical office politics and not fond of commands; prefers personal autonomy. Believes in the concept of rebirth. Believes each person is the “owner of their own actions” and that each person needs to undertake the necessary training to become better. Believes the executives are equally as responsible as the humans for the folly of the humans because the lessons that they have provided have not been well suited/adapted to the humans’ abilities and needs. Similar to Jesus, did not write down any of his own teachings (and his book has been revised several times). Happy to edit “The Book” because he believes in the ability to question and test one's beliefs in an appropriate way.

“Jesus” (aka "The Fisherman"): a Jewish preacher born under auspicious circumstances in the Middle East.  A natural public speaker. Carpenter by trade, likes to work with his hands. Skeptical of any talk about rebirth or reincarnation because of his previous life experience. Has a “father-son” relationship with The Voice. Weirdly cautious around Abraham because he thinks that Abraham thinks that Jesus should not have a seat at the table. Knows that Abraham’s book is connected to his own book, but doesn’t really know what’s in his own book because he didn’t write it. Good relationship with "Muhammed" because “Muhammed” treats “Jesus” as “one of “Muhammed’s” own”. Thinks humans are mostly ok. Pescatarian. Enjoys large group dinners, and a good glass of wine. Favorite number is 3. 

“Kami” ("The Nature Lover"): Non-binary (genderless). A nature lover, who loves the water. Generally very nurturing and amiable, but known to cause disharmony when ignored. Like “Abraham”, family-oriented; believes family is the way traditions are passed along. Like “Hindu”, details of personal history are very vague. Always carries a mirror. Does not have any formal scripture and does not adhere to any specific moral codes, instead focuses on rituals. Had an entanglement with “Buddha”; currently, they are mostly untangled and happily co-exist. Also close to Lao. Works well in a group or alone. Sees humans as generally pure and good. Kami always salts Kami’s food. Three, five, seven, eight and 12 are Kami’s favorite numbers. 

"Guru Nanak" (aka “The Logician”): A fiery and passionate critic of social injustice. Raised in a very privileged household, but champions against high-caste bias. Charming. Soft spoken. Clever. Highly intelligent. Always carries a small leather book to jot down notes. Has a knack for causing others to question their own beliefs. Loves the underdog, and counterculture. Believes that everyone is a child of the same God. Believes in equality and solidarity among men and women, and among the marginalized and oppressed. Musical, loves to sing and song write. A good listener. Loves to travel. Wears long hair. Not into labels (fashion, personal or otherwise). Vegetarian. Like Jesus, enjoys large group dinners. Favorite number is five. 

“Hindu” (aka "The Every Man"): Genderless/non-binary. Easy going with lots of different sides to personality. Has a very vague and long personal history that no one is able to pin down. Bit of a know it all, has an answer for everything. Believes there is more than one way to achieve a goal. Team player. Endeavors to get the job done without too much attachment to the task at hand. Very musical, plays a lot of instruments and hums to self a lot. Good friends with “Buddha”, “Jain”  and “Guru Nanak”, as they share common perspectives. Believes in re-birth, and is a strong proponent of karma and the moral repercussions of human action. Has multiple versions of several different books, written by numerous sages.  Open to discussing new texts.

“Jina” (aka “Victor”): A disciplined business executive with an established reputation. Like Hindu, has a very vague and long personal history that no one is able to pin down. Hard to physically describe: no distinct facial features or hairstyles, but is known for wearing various “fashion accessories”, like his unique watch, which divides time into two halves (when asked about the time, Jina always says “its five o clock somewhere”). Or his clothes, which all have an “endless knot” pattern (Jina is always preoccupied with making sure that there is no “lint” stuck to his clothes). Or his seasonal accessories (in the summer, he typically carries either a handfan or a parasol). Like Bahalluah, believes in the cyclical nature of time. Very charitable. Believes that all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence, that the function of souls is to help one another. Thinks humans are a bit “mundane”. Believes that each human is a soul that is in search of liberation. Believes humans are the masters of their own destiny, puts a strong emphasis on their free will to achieve liberation. Strongly believes in rebirth. Multi-lingual and “animal-whisperer”. Has as a number of texts in his book, which have varied over time; open to a new commentary on the already established texts. A contemporary and distant kin to Buddha; distant kin to Hindu, close friend to Guru Nanak. Vegetarian. Would never harm a fly. Maintains an infamous at-home library. Favorite number is 24. 

“Kong” (nickname: aka “Ru” or “The Scholar”): A Chinese scholar from a middle class family. An influential member of the executive committee known for his sage commentary. Introspective and intellectually curious, with keen foresight and insight into human character. A model citizen. Very good note-taker and master of record-keeping. Big on tradition and respect for elders. Nostalgic for the simplicity of the past. Believes in the innate, inherent, and natural goodness of humans, and that humans are generally teachable and improvable. Values the attainment of skilled judgment over knowledge of rules. Believes that virtues can be developed in the same way that knowledge is cultivated, and that virtuous action begins with knowledge. Strong proponent of the Golden Rule. Generally open to re-writing The Book, at the very least providing a new commentary. Has a love-hate relationship with Buddha and Lao. 

"Muhammed" (aka "The Messenger"): A messenger and mere mortal with a great memory. Never forgets a conversation. A stickler for proper pronunciation of words. A family man. A fair judge and reasonable thinker. Believes repetition and recitation are important attributes. Believes each era of human civilization has received both a revelation and a messenger, and that he is the last in a long line of messengers. Like “Guru Nanak”, received his book as a revealed (heard) message. Has a good working relationship with the “People of the Book.” Familiar with and generally supportive of the messages in Abraham’s and Jesus’ books, however thinks that they have erred by adding additional texts to their books. Slightly dismissive of everyone else’s book and point of view. Likes to doodle in geometric shapes, especially stars. 

“Lao” (aka "The Old Man"):  A “go with the flow" type of person. Believes in accomplishing great things through small means, “effortless action", or "action without action". Has long ears. Often seen with a full grey or white beard. Like Hindu and Kami, has a vague personal history -- possibly a former philosopher or curator at the Royal Library or a scholar who worked as the Keeper of the Archive or grand historian and astrologer. Compassionate. Frugal. Well traveled, has possibly visited humanity throughout history in various guises and incarnations. Speaks in declarative statements, intentionally contradictory quips and parables -- similar to the writings in some of his books. His books have had many writers and editors, which Lao doesn’t care about, all that matters to him is what the work says and what it has come to mean. Open to new interpretations of The Book. Frienemies with Kong and Buddha, yet strong proponent of balance and harmony. Not fond of rules. Like Kong, believes that human beings are innately good, and that people only behave badly. Unlike Kong, favors naturalness and spontaneity over rituals and hierarchy. Likes playing pick up sticks. Plums are his favorite food. 

"Zoroaster" ("The Elder Statesman"): Among the oldest and most influential of the executives. Age unknown. Drives a Mazda. Always sports a beard. A poet in his free time. Allegedly wrote the most important sections of his book in the form of enigmatic hymns and ritual poems. Owns camels and grey horses. Has a daughter named Asha. Believes in Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.  Believes in individual judgement, that human beings are responsible for their own choices; he emphasizes the freedom of the individual to choose right or wrong and individual responsibility for one's deeds. Always seen with an “eternal fire/flame”. Does not believe in reincarnation, at least not until the “the end of time”. Likes milk.