Religious literature stands apart from scientific, and from fiction, and from journalistic books, and at the same time, as if combines the elements of all other directions of literature. The answer to the question of what spiritual literature is, it would be logical to start with the definition of spirituality itself.
What is spirituality?
According to Ozhegov’s dictionary, spirituality is a property of the human soul that makes spiritual, moral, and intellectual interests put above material wealth. Ushakov interprets spirituality as a desire for inner self-improvement, for detachment from base, gross feelings and interests.
Accordingly, spiritual literature is one that helps a person self-develop internally and strive to rise above his base, animal nature and the satisfaction of basic needs.
The main question that arises among atheists regarding religious treatises is who wrote the Bible (Quran, etc.). The exact answers to it, alas, can only be given by deeply initiated people, spiritually developed and enlightened people.
In different countries and parts of the world, it is customary to traditionally consider religious institutions in various traditions as the focus of spirituality, be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. that is why the fundamental works of spiritual literature in different countries are “twisted” on religious mythology, commandments, saints' lives, etc.
Religious treatises
Each religious tradition has its own so-called religious treatises - these are "main books" that contain, as is commonly believed, certain "instructions for the application" of earthly life, which takes place in adherence to a particular religion. So, for all branches of Christianity, the main religious treatise is the Bible, for Islam - the Koran, for Hinduism - the Bhagavad-gita, etc. Each spiritual tradition has its own fundamental scriptures.
Biographies of saints are more than biographies of persons revered in a particular spiritual tradition. Such works usually call readers to imitate the lifestyle of saints as a standard of life for a Christian, Muslim, etc.
However, this does not mean that besides the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad-gita, etc., there are no more spiritual treatises. So, in Hinduism (Vedic culture), there are several thousand such religious works - the Vedas.
