orthodoxyancient Judaism, early Christianity, and Islam, whose teachings are preserved
for centuries or years after the passing of the original historical figures and
events associated with them. In many of these traditions, the preservation of an
oral tradition in writing is perceived as a shortcoming of human ability.
In ancient India, for instance, writing is not considered a valued activ-
ity, which helps to account for the lower social status of scribes. According
to the Aitareya Upanishad (5.5.3), writing appears on a list of polluting
actions and activities that prevent a person from reciting the sacred Vedas.
The importance of oral culture in India can be partly understood by the
Indian stress on the significance of sound (śabda), which represents the
powerful and dynamic aspect of a word. Moreover, alphabet characters
of the Sanskrit language are considered a denigration and defilement of
the sacred sound. The early Buddhist community is influenced by the
wider Indian emphasis on oral communication, which is evident in such
a phrase as ‘Thus have I heard” that introduce many Pali texts and stress
personal testimony of a person who receives an oral message.
Ancient Judaism is another excellent example of an oral tradition that is
very instructive. Before the composition of the Jewish scriptures, its tradi-
tion experiences three centuries of oral transmission until the historical
period of the monarchy of David. The preliterary period is characterized by
bits of memory derived from a living situation associated with some action
or event. Because the Jewish oral tradition represents narratives from dif-
ferent historical periods, various inconsistencies, repetitions, and stylistic
differences serve as reflection about how the narratives are relived,
reworked, and reinterpreted. This suggests that the Jewish oral tradition is
marked by diversity within which it is possible to find narratives about
creation, special locations, customs, tribal heroes, cultic practices, poems,
songs, hymns of praise, and poetic aphorisms. This diverse oral tradition is
a gradual process that unfolds over a long period of time.Further reading: Dewey (1994); Lord (1991); Niditich (1996)ORTHODOXY
This concept is derived from the Latin terms ortho (correct) and dox
(doctrine). It is established by an organized group of believers about what
beliefs or teachings should be accepted as authoritative in order to govern
proper practices and ritual. What is orthodoxy is determined by often
competing groups, with each pushing their interpretations about what
is correct and each attempting to marginalize opponents. As with the