i cant vote because i feel that all of those texts hold some valid lessons and stories. each of them also contains stuff i can not take as part of my path.

i like to study all, then ideally try to apply the best i can what i feel can be beneficial in my life and the life of those around me.
then eventually, it seems it becomes more and more about the every day practice and learning, the texts just being there as nice reminders when one might need a bit of inspiration or poetic distraction even.
the texts with no practice are like talking about taste. One simply has to taste a banana to know what "banana" is.

This is certainly an interesting thread... I also, did not vote in the poll as I feel to cast a vote, would, by definition, be making a sort of assessment of supposed 'intristic value' on one belief system or another....

I think the texts are maps as much as anything, or metaphors. Since they point to things that are beyond words, taking them literaly would be a mistake, one that continues to be the source of much of the strife in the world

a little something to soothe a troubled world...

note: vedic mantra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaJPfnCi1t8

and a NA shaman version...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq-1bxJc ... re=related