During numerous lifetimes various cultures and people has evoked divine masters. Not always understood by the people, these masters practice and teachings where made to rites and ceremonies. What they supposed to have said and what they said was written down and people made the masters teachings to religions.
I became religious when I read about Buddhism. Taking part in a retreat in Denmark with a Bön Geshe made me a Bönpo practitioner. During many years I was struggling with my Ngondro practice without continuity. Now my view is that Ngondro is a monastic practice or to be made by a yogi in retreat. At least it’s not a practice I am able to accomplish.