Of course, the Western monastic traditions can possess similar parallels – but this should negate the history or purpose of slavish-types of religion. Conventional religion is not the answer – as invariably this developed within a primitive tribal and/or feudalistic environment. Traditionally, conventional religion was designed to maintain a certain hierarchy and status quo with no change from generation to generation. However, once the means of production have changed hands and religion has been transformed into a Revolutionary vehicle – then certain aspect of religious practice might be useful for freeing the working class from oppression!