Download Hinduism

The
Hindu
Caste
System
Hinduism
Hinduism is derived from the Persian word
“Hind” for “inhabitant of India”.
It is different than Christianity and other religions
because it does not have a single founder like
Abraham or Jesus Christ.
It grew over a period of 4,000 years.
Hinduism is composed of many different groups
and has no well-defined organization.
Its two most general features are the caste system
and acceptance of the Vedas as the sacred
scriptures.
Hinduism
Many outsiders influenced the development of
Hinduism, especially the Aryans, who came to
India in 1500 and brought with them their religion
of Vedism and the Vedas, their sacred scriptures.
These beliefs became mixed with the Indian beliefs
to form the Hindu religion.
The Vedas
The Vedas are some of the oldest
written text on our planet. They date
back to the beginning of Indian
civilization and are the earliest
literary records of the Aryan race.
They were written between 4-6,000
years ago in an ancient language called
Sanskrit.
The Vedas are divided into four
groups, Rigveda,Yajurveda, Samaveda
and Atharvaveda and are full of hymn,
rituals, religious practices and poems.
Sanskrit
Hindu Trinity
• Brahma - the Creator
• Vishnu - the
Preserver
• Shiva - the Destroyer
• Three aspects/powers
of the same divine
being
• trinity
The Vedas
The Rig Veda tells the story of Prajapati,
the first god who created the world.
Prajapati was sacrificed to himself by the
younger gods Indra, Agni, and Varuna, and
out of his body parts the whole universe
was made.
The Rig Veda says that the Prajapati’s body
parts turned into different groups of
people, so that Indian people thought of
themselves as belonging to one of four
castes, or groups.
This idea of caste is an Aryan idea.
Scriptures
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Hundreds of scriptures
oldest scriptures: the four
Vedas
all scriptures divided into
two broad categories:
shruti (that which is heard
directly) and
smriti (memorized tradition)
Most popular scripture:
Bhagavad Gita
Definition:
A type of social
organization/hierarchy in which a
person’s occupation and position
in life is determined by the
circumstances of his birth or
other factors over which he has
no control.
Hinduism
The Caste System
So, the Caste System began in India after the Aryans
invaded and established their own rules for governing
the society.
The Aryans did not permit marriages between their
own people and people of the cultures they
conquered.
The Caste System
Each caste had its own specific place in society. They
socialized, ate, married, worked, and worshipped
within their own caste. They would never consider
marrying or working outside their caste.
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Reincarnation
A person is born,
lives, dies, and is
reborn again
many times.
Souls are reborn
many times until
they are pure
enough to be
with the creator,
Brahma

Karma
A person’s
social position
in the next life
is determined
by his conduct
in the present
life.
Dharma
 Code of behavior
or set of moral
and ethical rules
that govern the
conduct of each
social class. Each
group has a
different set of
rules to live by.

Laws of Manu
 Hindu book of
sacred law
 Rules and
restrictions for
daily life

 Rigid, hereditary
membership
into birth caste
 Marriage only among member of
same caste
 Occupation choices restricted
 Personal contact with other
castes restricted
 Acceptance of fixed place in
society
The Caste System
The caste system, then, was based upon idea that
people are different, so they should have different
roles.
From 1000 to 500 BC, four classes of people emerged
in India. Really there are 5 groups, however the
untouchables are considered so low that they aren’t
even counted.
 Members
of a caste rely on
each other for support
Each caste has an occupation(s) and
contributes to the good of the whole
 Jajman—gives gift (landlord)
 Kamin—gives service to the landholder
(lower castes)

Landholder gives grain to…
Barber
Blacksmith
Priest
Potter
Carpenter
Today…more of a market system
The castes
upper class
BRAHMAN
They are the priestly class, who are
entitled to study the Vedas, which are the
sacred scriptures, and perform rites
rituals for themselves and for others.
They are the men between the gods and
the people. They are expected to show
excellent behavior and spend their lives in
the pursuit of divine knowledge and
preservation the traditions of Hinduism.
KSHATRIYAS
They are the warrior class, who are
commanded to protect the people, give
gifts to the Brahmins, offer sacrifices to
gods and ancestors, study the Vedas, and
dispense justice.
It was their responsibility to protect the
caste system and the social order and
lavish the priests with generous gifts at
every opportunity.
The castes
middle class
VAISYAS
They are the merchant and peasant classes,
who are expected to tend cattle, offer
sacrifices, study the Vedas, trade, lend
money and farm the land.
They had the right to perform and
participate in certain Vedic rituals but they
were not allowed to marry women of
higher castes.
The castes
lowest classes
SUDRAS
The are the laboring class, whose only duty
is to serve the other three castes.
They were not required to observe any
Vedic rituals. They were not allowed to
study the Vedas or even hear the sacred
chants.
They were not allowed to eat food in the
company of higher castes or marry their
women.
SUDRAS
HARIJAN also called
Untouchables
The lowest of the sudras were called
harijan or the untouchables. They were
outside of the caste system because of
their religious practices, rites and
unclean habits.
In ancient times they were not allowed
to enter a village or city during day time
or walk in the same street where men
of other castes walked.
SUDRAS
HARIJAN also called
Untouchables
Even their shadow was considered
impure and seeing an untouchable was
considered bad luck.
So they lived mostly on the edges of
society, unknown and uncared for, and
working in graveyards or as hunters,
butchers and professional cleaners of
human waste.
Varna
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Social
Hierarchy
Vaishyas
Shudras
Outcasts [Harijan]  Untouchables
Varna
WHO IS…
 The mouth?
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
 The arms?
 The legs?
Vaishyas
 The feet?
Shudras
Symbolism in Hinduism
Holy Cow!
• Hindus have always
had great respect for
Mother Nature and its
creatures
• Cow is especially
significant because it
symbolizes
gentleness
Four Goals of Human Life
• Kama – fulfillment of
desires
• Artha – accumulation of
wealth
• Dharma – performance
of social and religious
duties
• Moksha – freedom from
want
Temple Worship
• Temples provide an
atmosphere
conducive for spiritual
progress
• Centers of social and
cultural activities
• Provide a place for
collective worship and
prayers
Festivals
• Hinduism is a celebratory religion
• WHY???? Festivals keep Hindus close to the
gods, invigorate their households and renew their
personal lives.
• Festivals signify the victory of good over evil.
• Every month of Hindu calendar has at least one
significant festival. Each festival has regional
significance also.
• Each festival is a celebration of diversity