It's just another example of followers mimicking the actions of their prophet and/or teacher and turning it into a "rule". Same thing with Muslim prayer: because the prophet Muhammed curled his toes a certain way when prostrating, everyone has to do it, or you're not praying right. The Muslims especially have "idolized" every little quirk of the prophet Muhammed, as though there must be some deep significance to all his habits and idiosyncrasies. When I was practicing Islam I must confess I thought it all a bit silly. I mean, what if he just had a bunion and had to put his toes that way to be comfortable?
