Traditions

In Poul Anderson's Technic History, one large quadrupedal Wodenite, Adzel, converts to Mahayana Buddhism and another, Axor, later, to Jerusalem Catholicism. We welcome this re-use of a fictional species which adds substance and continuity to a future history series. Individuals, then planets and their inhabitants, recur while historical periods pass. The species re-used most frequently in the Technic History are Merseians and Ythrians. Each of these species has its own distinctive polytheism and monotheism which need not concern us here. I wanted to focus on the Terrestrial Indian contemplative and Abrahamic prophetic traditions represented by Adzel and Axor.

In a prophetic tradition, it is necessary to be neither polytheist nor atheist but monotheist. Also, monotheism can become monist but this is regarded as heretical whereas, in a contemplative tradition, it is possible to be polytheist, monotheist, atheist or monist! Vaishnavites (Hindu worshippers of Vishnu) mythologize the Buddha, founder of an atheist/monotheist tradition, as an avatar of their deity, a role that he shares with Krishna. I really dig spiritual diversity. We can practice alongside others who reflect reality differently. Traditions coexist in Anderson's Terran Empire.