1200 BCE...
Vaishya: "Come on! What's the big idea? We want to praise the newfangled Gods too! Why don't we get to enter the temples? Why don't we get to read scriptures too?"
Brahmin: "Because you look funny. I'm sorry, but the temple membership is restricted to fair-skinned Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about this, so you may blame your luck for being born in the lower castes. We apologize for the inconvenience."
4 BCE...
Brahmin: "We have a good news to announce! In a few select cities, the temples are now open to certain Shudras and Vaishyas. However, upon entering the temple, bare in mind you are subject to Terms and Conditions that you will always be oppressed --"
Vaishya: "Oh, thank you! But no thanks anyway, we've got our own club now. Isn't that right, Buddha?"
Buddha: "Oh, there's so much fun we have in store! Who's in for more free hugs and community love? We'll be going on adventures too!"
Current age...
Brahmin: "...Why are the temples so isolated now? Why am I the only one standing here?"
(The Brahmin boldly walks in the fields, unguided, and finds an Artist, Poet, Phycist, Biologist and Astronomer -- all apparently having fun with their endeavours. Noticing their new attires and activities and discussion, the Brahmin now felt inferior, and walked to the Poet, who seemed to be the most approachable of them all.)
Brahmin: "Who might you be?"
Poet: "Me? I think I am, what you often call us by, a 'Lower Caste' -- a Vaishya."
Brahmin: "I'm sorry if you feel offended by it. Why don't you all come to the temple? It's nice and cool, and relaxing while you praise the stone of the Lord."
Poet: "Why would we praise a stone, when we can celebrate the Lord's gifts itself? See, us artists and scientists here are already praising and playing with the Sun, the Rivers, the birds and the bees, the Winds and the ever changing sky. Why waste these lively and beautiful flowers upon a lifeless stone? The club of life is everywhere, larger than you can ever comprehend, unconfined by any walls or temples."
Brahmin: "I'm very sorry... Can I join you too?"
Poet: "Sure!"
Brahmin: "Ah! And where is this giant Club of Life structure you artists and scientists belong to?"
(Everyone besides the Brahmin laughed.)
Poet: "Oh, dear fellow, you're standing on it! Everything under and beyond the sky is life and divine. It belongs to everyone, and no membership required."
Vaishya: "Come on! What's the big idea? We want to praise the newfangled Gods too! Why don't we get to enter the temples? Why don't we get to read scriptures too?"
Brahmin: "Because you look funny. I'm sorry, but the temple membership is restricted to fair-skinned Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about this, so you may blame your luck for being born in the lower castes. We apologize for the inconvenience."
4 BCE...
Brahmin: "We have a good news to announce! In a few select cities, the temples are now open to certain Shudras and Vaishyas. However, upon entering the temple, bare in mind you are subject to Terms and Conditions that you will always be oppressed --"
Vaishya: "Oh, thank you! But no thanks anyway, we've got our own club now. Isn't that right, Buddha?"
Buddha: "Oh, there's so much fun we have in store! Who's in for more free hugs and community love? We'll be going on adventures too!"
Current age...
Brahmin: "...Why are the temples so isolated now? Why am I the only one standing here?"
(The Brahmin boldly walks in the fields, unguided, and finds an Artist, Poet, Phycist, Biologist and Astronomer -- all apparently having fun with their endeavours. Noticing their new attires and activities and discussion, the Brahmin now felt inferior, and walked to the Poet, who seemed to be the most approachable of them all.)
Brahmin: "Who might you be?"
Poet: "Me? I think I am, what you often call us by, a 'Lower Caste' -- a Vaishya."
Brahmin: "I'm sorry if you feel offended by it. Why don't you all come to the temple? It's nice and cool, and relaxing while you praise the stone of the Lord."
Poet: "Why would we praise a stone, when we can celebrate the Lord's gifts itself? See, us artists and scientists here are already praising and playing with the Sun, the Rivers, the birds and the bees, the Winds and the ever changing sky. Why waste these lively and beautiful flowers upon a lifeless stone? The club of life is everywhere, larger than you can ever comprehend, unconfined by any walls or temples."
Brahmin: "I'm very sorry... Can I join you too?"
Poet: "Sure!"
Brahmin: "Ah! And where is this giant Club of Life structure you artists and scientists belong to?"
(Everyone besides the Brahmin laughed.)
Poet: "Oh, dear fellow, you're standing on it! Everything under and beyond the sky is life and divine. It belongs to everyone, and no membership required."
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