India - the Mother

April 29, 1953

Otherwise [if people sought for the truth], there would be no religion: there would be masters and disciples, people with a higher teaching and an exceptional experience. That would be fine. But as soon as the master is gone, what happens is that the knowledge he gave is turned into a religion. Rigid dogmas are established, religious rules are born, and all you can do is bow before the Tables of the Law. While at first, it was not so. You are told, "This is true, that is false, the master said ..." Sometime later, the master becomes a god, and you are told, "God said."

... Luckily for all of you [children here], you have no religion. And I hope you will never have any, because that is closing the door on progress.

Questions and Answers (1953): 29 April 1953