Comparison between the Indus and modern society

        All this was attainable if you had money and wealth, as well as if you were born into the right caste. In our society money is not a big issue. We are able to buy things on credit and the government is willing to split a share of the costs for some of the things we splurge on. Back in the day, the Indus had a difficult time if they were not born into the

right caste. The Indus functioned using a thing called the caste system, their means of organizing social status and society. The caste at the top of the system were the Brahmins, who were priest, following them were the Kshatriya who were the warrior-nobles, next came the Vaishyas who are the merchants, after that are the Shudra who are servants to the other three castes, and lastly the ones at the bottom of the system are the Harijans who are, roughly translated, the “untouchables”. The Indus lived strictly by the caste system. One is born into a caste through karma collected in past lives. You are to be born into a caste, grow up following your caste’s duty, marry within your caste, and die within it also. Although to us, this may seem very nonsensical; this system was formulated to follow the Indus beliefs in Hinduism, karma, and dharma- religious duty. Our society at most only somewhat portrays social class by the amount of money you have, and at least with that you can change your situation, unlike those locked in the caste system.

        For some of the unlucky few born into the under-castes, life was rough. If one was born into the Shudra caste, then your whole life was to be devoted to serving the other three “higher” castes; you were not allowed to listen in on religious readings, or touch sacred text. A Shudra was commonly identifies by their darker complexion. Some of the things you had to endure as a Shudra were, you were considered impure, you could only eat the leftovers from your “master’s” table, wear his old clothes and use his old materials.  Our modern society works together to get people out of such situations instead of harvesting in on their pain and humiliation. We believe in philanthropy

because we understand that no one wants to be in that position. This may be one of the best qualities of our society, our constant wanting to help others even if we can’t help ourselves. We create programs, and donate money to causes to help those in a rough situation get back on their feet. Sadly, the Indus felt that they were just following what Brahman was telling them, something that was deeply rooted into their culture.

        For the Indus, the main religion during the Vedic era was Hinduism. It’s key beliefs consisted of reincarnation, reuniting the atman- human soul- with Brahman- the soul of the universe-, and performing ones dharma. For our modern society, especially in Canada, there is no set religion in which everyone follows. There are Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. living together in a harmonious community. All are allowed to practise what they want as long as it doesn’t cause harm to others, break any laws or goes against they constitution we have. One religion does not oppress the other, and there is no favouritism by the government. However the majority of people living in Canada follow the Anglican Church, or a sect of Christianity. Our government or society has also accepted the Anglican calendar and holidays. We have become accustomed to seeing the typical Christian holidays and ceremonies such as Christmas to commemorate Jesus’ birth or the typical Church wedding. Some of the holidays we celebrate we don’t even know the meaning of, an example being Good Friday; this holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, although most of us just think of Good Friday as another holiday we get off.  

        Some of us think of death as the end. That’s it, that’s all we have. Some of us believe there is an afterlife, be it heaven or hell. Some of us just don’t know and aren’t

too curious what the future holds because they live in the present. These ancient peoples, called the Indus, believed in reincarnation after death. Reincarnation is the belief that ones materialistic bodies is exchanged for another one after death, unless we are able to attain moksha, which is the release from the endless cycle of rebirth, and re-attach our Atman back onto Brahman. The materialistic bodies may be sent down the river in flames, because the main concept was cremation. Canadians, or at least Torontonians, practise a wide variety of religious ceremonies for death, each depending on what we can afford. Some have enough money to buy a piece of land to bury family, others choose cremation. There is no right or wrong, there is just do this or do that, it is all up to you.

        As difficult as it may seem, the Indus have meshed into many aspects of our society. Our society has incorporated many of the same values and practises the Indus once believed or conducted. Our societies merge when in comes to practises such as meditation, cremation, the belief in reincarnation for some, etc. that have become part of our culture. Simply put our modern culture/ society is a collaboration of the old and the new. The only question or concern now is how long will our new way last before it winds up with the same fate as the old?  

The End of a Great Civilization: the Indus and Our Modern Society

Dao Dong    10H

Tuesday June 6, 2006

Ms. Whitfield

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