Single Idea 7474

[catalogued under 29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 3. Hinduism]

Full Idea

Traditional Hinduism has been described as more a way of living than a way of thought; it has no founder, no prophet, no creed and no ecclesiastical structure.

Gist of Idea

Hinduism has no founder, or prophet, or creed, or ecclesiastical structure

Source

Peter Watson (Ideas [2005], Ch.05)

Book Reference

Watson,Peter: 'Ideas: from fire to Freud' [Phoenix 2006], p.155


A Reaction

This contrast strikingly with all later religions, which felt they had to follow the Jews in becoming a 'religion of the book', with a sacred text, and hence a special status for the author(s) of that text.