Sublime

as far as the true purpose of religion goes, external rites – however suitable for the short-term resolution of social problems – are unnecessary, or at best symbolic. The real sacrifice could then be done directly, not just attempted by symbolic manipulations.

Taoism is known to us as the uniquely Chinese way of thought, living, and liberation, although its roots certainly lie in shamanic traditions common to much of northeastern Asia, and probably to North America as well. In its final form, however, it is so similar to Buddhism that Taoist terms are often used to translate Sanskrit texts into Chinese.

Zoroastre est obnubilé par la gloire d’Ahura Mazda et de son panthéon, et décidé à en finir avec le ritualisme excessif de la religion de son époque, qu’il considère être une fausse religion. Sa position puriste semble toutefois intenable :

As stated there (ibid.:11), the obligation to return the article or the money applies only when both parties are Jewish. Although it is forbidden to deceive a gentile regarding the value of merchandise, it is not forbidden to take advantage of an error the gentile makes on his own.

Rather, the term implies a creed that assumes an inherent sameness in all religious faiths. The leveling of differences, so the argument goes, will, in turn, help reduce friction and confrontations in public spaces and agendas.8