Avatar Adi Da described all the historical traditions of human culture, practical self-discipline, religion, and spirituality as the one and single "Great Tradition" of humankind. In His not yet published text The Basket of Tolerance, He has taken all of the literature of the Great Tradition and arranged them in a single annotated bibliography according to the context of the seven stages of life, which we have described here. This allows the reader to see how each of the world's traditions and ways fit together in a single whole or single "basket".

Just as with adults, Avatar Adi Da has recommended that children and young people should study the Great Tradition of humankind, which serves several purposes.

First, it is a source of inspiration for spiritual practice, as the reader is enlivened by the long history of spiritual practice and devotion and is exposed to genuine Spiritual Realizers and practitioners of the past.

Next, it serves to help the reader broaden his or her horizons, and discover that there is more than whatever background he or she might have.

The process of education relative to the Great Tradition is also a means for young people in the third stage of life to develop the ability to use real discrimination when reading or listening to spiritual texts or commentaries, seeing what is true in the stories, and what is merely mythological or culturally limited. Such awakened discrimination allows the reader to come to a greater appreciation for Avatar Adi Da's unique Reality--Way.

Below are some recommended books for children and young people that can provide them with some insight into the Great Tradition of humankind. (These recommendations are drawn either from Avatar Adi Da’s Basket of Tolerance or from reading lists developed for young people in Adidam over many years.)