Our Origin: Back to the Future

Susi.Thiagarajan, PhD 14 APRIL 2013

It is always fascinating to discover the root or the origin. When we begin from the root, the history or any investigation acquires a solid foundation, naturally. There was constant urge in my mind to find out the real root of us. The first step towards that was to dig out our family tree and was lucky to track back to 5th Generation. I was also intrigued by the fact that the Full moon day or Chitra festival was celebrated regularly by us, time unknown from our fore fathers. The tracing of our timeline is shown graphically in plates 1 to 11. Further, investigations into the Indian history and the writings of Caldwell R, Bergunder M, Ambedkar BR, Annadurai CN, Ramasami EV, Sesha I TR, Srinivasa A and Thoughts of Iyothee Thass, helped to trace the roots. Our culture, habits, and work ethics can all be traced to Buddhists teachings. The historical evidence is reconstructed to trace our origin. The single story of the winner is dissected to discover our unique story. With reference to the works of the above authors, In a nutshell, we can start the trace of our roots to Sakya Buddhists. Refer plate 1 for the timeline. 1

We all know that the scientific origin of life form is from complex molecules and then evolved over millions of years to the current level with diverse species, refer plate2. The creation vs evolution is in favor of evolution. The recent development in genome and genetics is good scientific tool to explore the diversity of human race and the root. The evolution theory and natural selection process along with genetics are used to explore the past and as well the predict future of human race evolution. The genetic investigations of the subcontinent population did not show significant difference in the genetic or DNA makeup among the populace of India. There are many similarities among the gene pool of the samples across the Indian caste system. All this points to a common origin for the human race and hence the caste system is artificial and human-made.

The scientific Indian history itself is started in 19th century only. The Indian history is certainly great and unique and is one of the cradles of the world civilization. As always, the history was written by the ruling class and 2

the winners. The constitution adoption after a war and the history were written by the winner and hence, could be biased and twisted. Finding the root to reconstruct the once glorious society certainly needs special attention to the overlooked or hidden details. The discovery of our root is summarized in the next paragraphs.

We were originally ruling Sakya clan, worshipped Shiva in raw and natural form. Buddha was one of the princes of Sakya clan, who questioned the ritualism and blind faith. Buddha introduced scientific methods for discovering ourselves for inner peace and growth. The historical evidence clearly links us to Sakya clan of Buddhist Origin (refer plate 3). Buddha was worshiped initially in various forms, like Elephant, lotus, Bodhi tree, chakra, etc. Some of the current festivals, ritual, food habits can be traced back to Buddhist route, for example, the full moon Chitra Festival. It is a good coincidence that Siddhartha was born on a full moon day in a Chitra month, 563 BCE and enlightened under a Bodhi tree (poovarasa 3

maram in tamil) on full moon day in 544 BCE. This day was celebrated by us time unknown. Plate 3 and 4 shows the Sakya and Buddhist era, respectively.

Before 500 CE, three were not much evidence for caste-based hierarchy in our society similar to the one exists now; there were clans with different life style and 4

living in different part of the land. After about 500 CE, the caste and Manu system and Birth based hierarchical society was started taking roots. The fourth class was also added to the caste system. The Buddhist intellectuals were living in fort like dwellings in groups. After King Asoka, the Buddhism started its decline.

Before 500 CE, there were Kings/ Warriors, Priests, and Merchants, and then the working class for serving the above. Then there were the fifth class, who were outside the caste or Varna hierarchy. The Buddhists, who were powered by the scientific teaching of Buddha and were against the hierarchical birth based caste system. After the decline of Buddhism, they were slowly pushed into a category of outcaste or Panchamars, or the fifth Varna. Some of the followers spread Buddhism to the far world. Some retreated to jungles and created exemplary cave sculptures. Specific to Tamilnadu, the sangam period (2nd or 3rd Century CE) is known to have casteless society. After the decline of Buddhism, anyone against the Manu system was stripped of their power, status in the society and ex-communicated. However, throughout history, the 5

contribution of our intellect to the wellbeing of the society is evident, for example, Thiruvalluvar, Asokar, Auvaiyar (refer plates 5 to 87). The women empowerment was Throughout the contribution as evident from the first bikuni Prajapati. downs, winners and losers, Smiths, and

history, we could see various transformation, ups and Architects, Farmers, Weavers, Musicians,

Warriors, Emperors, Rulers, landlords, Gurus, Poets, etc. Dynasties were created and destroyed. The history was written by the winners.

From 5th Century to about 20th century CE the Manu system was dominant and systematic in implementing the hierarchical system with the help of the rulers. The history of the Buddhists was overwritten with hierarchical teachings. Some of the Buddhist shrines were converted into temples. For example, recent examination reveals evidence that Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa, Vithoba at Pandharpur in Maharashtra, Shrines. Thirupathi Balaji, Palani temple, the Sabarimala temples were once Buddhist From 5th Century CE, the Buddhists and 6

excommunicated society were subjected to inhuman treatment. This is continued even today. There were upswings to get the glory of Buddhists during, Muslim invasion, British rule, and other uprisings. Poets like Thriruvalluvar. Auvaiyar, Otaguthar, rulers like Sakya, Kalabharas , Kingdoms like Mauryans, current temples origin from Buddhist shrines are rediscovered to reconnect the so-called outcastes to their glorious past history, by the neo intellects and historians.

Dr Ambedkars dream, vision, and hard work created constitutional rights for the growth and eradication of caste system and for an equal opportunity India. The process of equal opportunity by reservation is just about 60+ years old, in comparison to the prejudices and atrocities, which is 2000+ years old. The caste based reservation, for example, the priest job is reserved for more than 2000+ years. The constitutional reservation system is an empowerment process. In summary, we originated from a ruling clan, our intellectuals contributed to the growth of the overall society by their intellectual and everlasting work, and our forefathers were driven by a religion powered by scientific principles. In between we were suppressed and treated inhumanly. However, the self-awareness of who we are, reconnection to our glorious past, the recent revolutionary growth of our people, achievements of our society, will take us to a glorious future. The future, where, we all will live in this planet as one society, not bounded by caste, color, region, religion or race, but driven by human values.

We are a diverse nation with 1 billion+ population, and I am sure everyone can unearth a unique historical root for every individual. We have enough historical data and evidence to link to a glorious or gloomy past. However, the origin will be same for all of us, the unity of Origin. For the 21st century and beyond, let us use our glorious past as the foundation, Buddhas scientific teaching as guidelines, our own intellect, and creativity for engineering an equal, empowered, and meritorious society. If we apply the scientific teachings of Buddha, then the whole division or differences we see now and day today will disappear. If we extend our thought process beyond our day today limits, for example, to higher limits to that of universe level and lower limits to that of atomic levels, will change our perspective. If we assume that, the origin of the universe to the present time is about 1 year. Then, the recorded history of human itself is just about 10 sec old. If we look at the scientific principle of origin, at the lower atomic scale, you, me, and the whole universe is made of similar fundamental particle. In this grand scale, 9

the caste, color, religion and region based differences does not stand chance. For the 21st century and beyond, let us use our glorious past as the foundation, scientific teaching as guidelines, your own intellect, and creativity for engineering an equal, empowered, and meritorious society.

The nature vs nurture research is in favor of nurture. So, you can achieve whatever you dream, and human brain is so powerful that, you can full fill your dream, regardless of your root or the nature by Nurture. Moving forward, the divisive differences in our society will be annihilated and a united, equal and empowered society will blossom. And building that Future is in

YOU.
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