The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c19.6

c19.6

The doctrine of *karman* and re-birth and the supposition of an unalterable social order are closely connected with each other and have exercised a mutual influence upon each other in their further development; both dogmas are deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Indian people and rule their thoughts even to the present day Even to-day they influence the organisation of social life and determine its forms: even the modern castes are, as little as the castes of ancient India, an artificial product; on the other hand, they have grown out of the spirit of the Indian people whose stamp they bear.