World History Reflection 2

After delving into the second and third wave civilizations;  I was rather surprised to read that as far back as the 500’s B.C.E. the Persian empire had in place its own government system; monetary system (standardized coinage) and taxes.  They even had a Persian postal system.   

I was impressed that the people of Greece were able to put their rivalry with other city-states aside every four years to participate in the Olympic Games, this tells me that they were not all power and greed. 

There were many thinkers and philosophies of the Classical Era.  With this came a vast array of religions.  In learning the different types; from Zoroastrianism in Persia, Daoism in China to Christianity in Palestine; although I was born and raised as a Catholic; I have found Buddhism to be the most interesting and spiritually liberating.  I actually had the opportunity to visit a Buddhist Church about a year ago.  The experience was extra special because the service that I attended was in honor of Nirvana Day, the mind liberating state of being free from suffering.  The entire journey was great, from the church’s massive roof top, similar to a Chinese tea house, to the overwhelming scent of incense, to the continuous sound of bells chiming, to the flurry of gold in and around the Onaijin (alter). 

As I sit in quietness, in this peaceful temple, all of the thoughts running through my mind of the day’s tasks that wait suddenly disappear, and I am in complete peace, if only for a moment.  All at once, this sudden burst of chanting commences, it is almost startling. We were all asked to stand and open up our programs to Gatha, Long Ago in India.  We all began to sing, I felt the spirit in the room, all of the members together in harmony.  It was an Ah Ha moment for me, one in which I have never felt in any other church service that I’ve ever attended.  I felt good about myself, where I was in the present, I felt a warmth from the people around me even though they were complete strangers, and most of all I felt a sense of belonging.  It was a very spiritual moment.  I was never really attached to my Catholic upbringing, not because it was bad, but because I didn’t understand. With Buddhism, it is all so clear to me, the enlightenment and the awareness and the spiritual power is from within.

Although, as I reflect, I’ve found that Buddha and Jesus were very similar in their message.  They both spoke of personal transformation and letting go of internal pain and suffering. 

Eurasian social hierarchies 500 B.C.E. and the caste system.  When you compare the caste system back then to the caste system of today, nothing has really changed.  It’s all based on wealth and power.  When I think of the case system of today, I see three layers.  The people with money, no matter what religion, race, or name, are on the top.  The middle class, mid size house, two kids, both parents working family occupy the second layer.  The poor, homeless, unfortunate folks of society occupy the bottom.  And to some extent, I feel that there is still the dominance of men over women and inequality in each layer.  Unless there is a drastic World change, this will be the wave of the next 100,000 years.  Sad but true.