Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/195

When I say that the religions will disappear, a question may be asked whether religions are necessary for society. I may say frankly that they are not. But to prevent misunderstanding I should add some explanation.

The moral principles which the religions inculcate have done their service. They have contributed to the moral thought of the world, and a great deal of their contribution will remain and continue to guide society. Even ideas like Heaven and Hell or Nirvana may remain and will be of some use for the ignorant. Even the sense of mystery which all beings have may also remain, but what is unnecessary for society is the formation of a tribe with a separate social existence, believing all the ideas embodied in scriptures.

Hinduism, which is merely a tradition of the federated tribes, differs from bibliolatries like Christianity and Mohamedanism, in so far as the constitution of the United States differs from the English tradition or the so-called "British constitution." Every generation receives ideas and customs, as they come to them, modifies them and leaves them to future generations in a modified form. Different tribes come and mingle, exchange their traditions, and thus form a common tradition.

There may be ceremonies for conversion to religions (sampradāyas), to fraternities, to secret societies, to the sacred circle of the twice-born; but no ceremonies are required to initiate a person or a group of persons into tradition. Acquirement of a foreign tradition is a slow and unconscious process, and the acquirement of Hindu tradition by less civilized tribes has come into existence in this way; and when Brāhmans and the Brāhmanized Hindus