A living reference atlas

Atlas of Religious and Esoteric Lineages

Five thousand religious, mystical, Indigenous and esoteric lineages from around the world — what they are, where they came from, and where to read more.

Source-linked and transparently qualified. Editorial standards and correction criteria are public.

Created and maintained by Ayara and Kyle Jonathan B@KJB_and_AYARA

Start with a topic guide Short reading paths with context and sources.

Entries: 5,000
Geographic connections: 7,326
Countries and territories: 162

Explore the index

Search five thousand distinct lineages

Geographic connections are still under review.
How to read the location information

5,000 lineages

Page 36 of 209

Atlas 0841Community-bound / restricted

Śrauta ritual tradition

South Asian Traditions Rite / ceremony

Public geography: India
Period / origin: Vedic period–present in limited hereditary communities
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0842Scholarly / historical only

Ājīvika tradition

South Asian Traditions Historical religion / cult

Public geography: Historical or contested polity; no modern country assigned
Period / origin: circa 5th century BCE–late medieval attestations
Evidence status: Directly cited

Broader geographic contextHistorical or contested polity; no modern country assigned

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Atlas 0843Varies by lineage

Ekasaraṇa Dharma

South Asian Traditions Religious tradition

Public geography: India
Period / origin: 15th century–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0844Community-bound / restricted

Vaikhānasa tradition

South Asian Traditions Lineage / school

Public geography: India
Period / origin: first millennium CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0845Varies by lineage

Smārta tradition

South Asian Traditions Religious tradition

Public geography: India
Period / origin: early medieval period–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0846Open / public

Gāṇapatya tradition

South Asian Traditions Religious tradition

Public geography: India
Period / origin: first millennium CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0847Community-bound / restricted

Śvetāmbara Jain tradition

South Asian Traditions Religious tradition

Public geography: India
Period / origin: early centuries CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0848Community-bound / restricted

Digambara Jain tradition

South Asian Traditions Religious tradition

Public geography: India
Period / origin: early centuries CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0849Community-bound / restricted

Sthānakavāsī Jain tradition

South Asian Traditions Lineage / school

Public geography: India
Period / origin: 17th century–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0850Community-bound / restricted

Śvetāmbara Mūrti-pūjaka tradition

South Asian Traditions Lineage / school

Public geography: India
Period / origin: medieval period–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewIndia

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Atlas 0851Varies by lineage

Madhyamaka

Buddhist Traditions Philosophical / theological school

Public geography: Historical or contested polity; no modern country assigned
Period / origin: 2nd century CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Broader geographic contextHistorical or contested polity; no modern country assigned

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Atlas 0852Open / public

Yogācāra

Buddhist Traditions Philosophical / theological school

Public geography: Broad regional context; no country assigned
Period / origin: 4th century CE–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Broader geographic contextBroad regional context; no country assigned

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Atlas 0853Varies by lineage

Theravāda Buddhism

Buddhist Traditions Umbrella tradition

Public geography: Sri Lanka
Period / origin: ancient period–present
Evidence status: Directly cited

Country links · under reviewSri Lanka

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Atlas 0854Institution-specific