The path of knowledge has been seen as the most important path. Many attempts were made to keep it alive and safe, and many systems were devised to do that. These can be called traditions or customs. Sometimes whole societies, countries and cultures were based on these traditions. There are hundreds of these traditions, which were derived out of the basic teachings of the path of knowledge. Each diverted gradually from purity due to cultural and social changes, and due to influence from other paths. Each great teacher also contributes their own flavor to the path, teaching style or terminology etc. Some traditions have devolved and have become totally corrupt.

It can be a matter of opinion when it comes to the matter of purity of the tradition. But it usually depends on usefulness of the tradition. If it is useful, it is good enough. Similarly, it can be debated if a particular tradition exactly follows the path of knowledge or not. Sometimes traditions mix a few paths in them.

Major traditions

Here are some examples of traditions that show more or less influence of the path of knowledge :

• Vedic culture (One can say it is so old that it is lost)

• Advaita vedanta (One which was revived by Adi Shankara)

• Buddhism (Core of the teachings, not practices or branch specific details)

• Jainism (Philosophical aspects only)

• Sikhism

• Sant mat

• Avadhut

• Hermeticism

• Sufi

• Gnosticism

• Shaiva (The first way only, not the other two)

And many more ...

A detailed study of such traditions shows that initially they start out as pure path of knowledge and with time they get adapted to the needs of various cultures and seekers of different kinds, and hence diverge. Once essential knowledge is gained, the differences in traditions disappear or become insignificant. One finds that all of them are basically teaching the same thing.

Traditions are established systems of spiritual or cultural knowledge passed down through generations. On the path of knowledge, traditions are examined critically they may contain valuable insights but are not accepted as knowledge without verification through direct experience and logic.

The value of tradition

Ancient traditions have preserved essential knowledge for millennia. The path of knowledge itself is rooted in a tradition that includes Vedanta, Samkhya, Nyaya, Buddhism, Shaivism and other streams of eastern philosophy. The wisdom of the gurufield flows through these traditions.

The danger of tradition

However, traditions can become vehicles of indoctrination. When a teaching is accepted simply because "it is our tradition" or "it has always been this way," it becomes a blind belief. Institutions and organised traditions often become means of manipulation and exploitation.

A seeker's approach

A true seeker neither blindly follows tradition nor rejects it outright. They take what is useful, test it against their own experience and logic, and discard what does not hold up. The path of knowledge transcends all traditions while respecting the wisdom they carry.

See also: eastern philosophy, teacher, judging a teacher.