Most Altaians profess a Muslim-Buddhist synthesis. In Hindu Vedantist philosophy, ultimate reality may be regarded as either personal or impersonal. People differ on this ultimate question so it makes sense to recognize the difference. I would be able to live inside the Altaian synthesis if it allowed me to practise zazen and to regard God as a personification, not a person. I prefer Vishnu whose avatars include Krishna, teacher of karma yoga, and the Buddha, teacher of meditation. The Sikhs managed to synthesize Hindu and Muslim monotheisms.
Flandry is not interested in such questions but, in an earlier age, I would like to travel with one of van Rijn's crews to study galactic religions and maybe to conduct research that would later help Fr. Axor.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I've said this before, but I'm skeptical of the likelihood of there ever being any kind of Muslim/Buddhist synthesis, for many reasons, including the incompatible beliefs those two systems of thought have. But, oddly, not totally impossible, if two groups of colonists end up settling a remote, isolated planet long cut off from the galactic mainstream. Given that, strange mutations may occur.
I've also wondered why, given the strong Russian strain to be found among the Altaians, we see no traces of Russian Orthodox Christianity. The predominance of two faiths, some kind of Russian Orthodox variant and Buddhism, might have been more likely on Altai.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Muslims include Sufi mystics.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I know, but they don't count for much in Islam. I've seen both Sunnis and Shias denouncing them as heretics. Apparently the sin of the Sufis was being too influenced by Christianity!
Ad astra! Sean
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