Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c13.2

c13.2

The Significance of Pre-Vedic Civilisation.—Anthropology, philology, and archaeology reveal to us that from prehistoric times India has been the home of many races and cultures, whose conflicts have provided the principal challenge of her social history. The continuing vitality of Indian society has been ever dependent on the success with which she has responded to this challenge. Her cultural life thus displays from the most ancient times the character of a progressive synthesis, seeking unity in the midst of an unending and bewildering diversity, and peace and harmony in the midst of struggles and conflicts.