I.II. scientology: the religious doctrine and the holy knowledge

    Holy knowledge changes and transforms the person who is receiving the knowledge. The achievement of one's real self-identity comes after the destruction of engrams, which are the barriers of false knowledge of oneself, i.e., false identity. The destruction of internal obstructions placed in the way to understanding one's own true eternal self is achieved with the help of an auditor who is simultaneously minister and keeper of the way to holy knowledge. The technique of questions and answers in auditing reminds one of the traditional procedures of achieving holy knowledge, and which consider that the pupil (or searcher) only can be brought up to the threshold of true awareness. Awareness itself and understanding of the true nature of things is something the searcher must find independently. (Similar techniques of understanding one's true self can be encountered in the "spiritual exercises" of Ignatias of Loyola, in Far Eastern spiritual schools, Zen Buddhism, -- koany -- and in the Hasidic story.)

    The parallels shown above do not lessen the unique spiritual contribution of Scientology into the world storehouse of spiritual experience, but assists us to become certain, first, on the religious basis of Scientology and, secondly, to see the spiritual potential of Scientology not only as a religious movement but as a religious order. The latter is especially important because the occurrence of a structure of order is possible even as a solution for organizational problems or as a solution for religious education. The order as a way of only solving purely organizational problems -- as the history of religious movements shows -- would not exist for long. Whereas the order brought about to care for the developed spiritual education technology can be seen to be rather durable. The Jesuit order can be used as an example, brought about around "the practice of spiritual exercises" by the founder of the order, Ignatias of Loyola. The ability of the order to solve numerous practical problems is the consequence of the spiritual, religious practice. The basis of stability of the Jesuit order is the correct adherence to the technology of "spiritual exercises". Similarly, the core of the order of the Church of Scientology has stability due to the special spiritual technology of finding your true self which is the center of the religious dogma and holy knowledge. Therefore the problem of preservation of holy knowledge is a major element of the Church of Scientology.
 
 
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