Transcript The Indian Caste System

1 December 2016
EQ – What are the basic principals of Hinduism?
Bellringer –Take out your notes from
yesterday for a little check-in quiz
Hinduism
Ppt. Notes – in your packet
HW – Read 5.2
Assessment Friday (12/9)
Directions: Answer the following
questions using your 5.1 Notes.
1. What river did ancient Indians first settle
along? _________________
2. What mountains did this river originate in (to
cause floods and silt)? _____________________
3. What was the name of the 1st group of people
in Ancient India? ___________
4. What group came in and settled after the 1st
group died out? They might have even conquered
the first group. __________________
5. What is the main written language- that we
can read- used by the 2nd group of people in
Ancient India? _____________________
The Indian Caste System & Hinduism
Varnas
The Indian Caste System
Varna may be translated as "class,"
and refers to the four social classes
which existed in the Vedic society
The Indian caste system has been
in use for many years.
Still today the values of the caste
system are held strongly.
It has kept a sense of order, and
peace among the people.
Varnas
The Indian Caste System
Aryan Society became divided over
the years.
Usually this division was decided by
occupation.
These divisions were called the
Varnas
Caste System
The Caste System
Brahmins (BRAHmuhns)- Priests.
They were the
highest.
Brahmin
The Brahmin were the priests, teachers,
and judges who understood dharma.
The Brahmin often lived apart from the rest
of society in temples.
Many Brahmin priests believed contact with
lower castes would contaminate their
souls.
Vedic prayers were considered so pure
that they could not be recited or even
heard by a person of a lower caste. One
Indian law stated that if a Sudras was
caught listening to the Vedas, molten lead
was to be poured into his ears.
The Caste System
Kshatriyas (KSHA-tree-uhs)- Rulers
and warriors
The Kshatriya
The warrior caste who made
everyday decisions and ran the
government.
The Kshatriya had most of the power
in everyday life, but their decisions
could be overruled by the Brahmin.
The Caste System
Vaisyas (VYSH-yuhs)- Farmers
(landowners), craftspeople, and
merchants
The Vaishyas
Skilled farmers (landowners) and
merchants.
They occasionally had leadership
positions in local villages.
The Caste System
Sudras (SOO-drahs)- Workers and
Servants
The Sudras
The unskilled workers were of the
Sudras caste.
Members of the Sudras caste often
worked on the farms of the people of
higher castes.
The Caste System
Harijan (Untouchables)- Did all the
jobs that no one else wanted to do.
Untouchables/Dalit (Oppressed)
Hired to do work that members of the caste
system would not do.
Often forbidden to enter temples, schools and
wells where caste members drew water. In
some parts of India, even the sight of
untouchables was thought to be polluting. The
untouchables were often forced to sleep
during the day and work at night.
The Indian Constitution has forbidden
discrimination against the Dalit since 1950
The Indian people elected a Dalit to the
presidency. K. R. Narayanan served in that
position from 1997 to 2002.
Caste System
These groups were later divided
into groups called castes.
Castes- Divided Indian society into
groups based on a person’s wealth,
birth, or occupation.
Caste Rules
Caste is a matter of birth
Each group has rules of conduct to be
obeyed.
People were not allowed to marry
outside of their caste
It was forbidden to eat with members of
another caste
If you broke a caste rule you could be
banned from homes & castes
Spent most of time with your caste
Helps to keep everyone “in line”
Hindu Beliefs:
There are 3 major Gods (Each part of
Brahman – so…monotheistic – 1 God)
Brahma – the Creator
Shiva – the Destroyer
Vishnu – the Preserver
Millions of manifestations of Brahman
Each god is part of a single universal
spirit called Brahman
Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
The Brahman preserves the world.
Everyone has a soul, atman. – this
soul is constant – always the same.
You change your clothing just as your
atman changes form.
We are all reborn many times in the
process of reincarnation.
Karma
The effects that good or bad actions
have on a person’s soul is called karma.
This will determine what a person will be
reborn as.
If you have bad karma – you will be born
into a lower caste in your next life.
If you have good karma – you will be born
into a higher caste in your next life.
Moksha
If you have enough good karma you
can reach a salvation called moksha.
Moksha – the freedom from life’s
worries and the cycle of rebirth
Other Important Terms
Dharma- The duty to accept one’s place in
the world without complaint. Hinduism is a
way of life – not a religion
Why is this so important?
The Vedas - are the oldest religious texts
in Hinduism.
The word Veda means knowledge.
The Vedas are mainly comprised of hymns or
mantras written in the Sanskrit language. The books
are so special that they are often kept in glass cases.
1 December 2016
Goal – Gain a better understanding of Hinduism & Caste
system (focused on symbolism)
•
Bellringer – Answer the “Dear History Student”
Questions! 
Hinduism
Caste Man!
HW – Read section 5.2
India Assessment 12/9
Bellringer – Dear History Student,
1. I am a Sudra farmer, but I have been
practicing my skills, and think I would
make the best warrior ever (Kshatriya)!
What should I do? ~Wishful Warrior
2. I am a member of the Brahmins, but I
think I am falling in love with a Vaisya!
What should I do? ~ Love Torn
3. Can you please explain Karma to
me? I have heard, “What goes around,
comes around.” My teacher says it is
also related to Hinduism? Please
explain. ~ Confused Student
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaisyas
Sudras
Harijan
Thighs
Arms
Mouth
Feet
The Sacrifice of Purusa (Poor-ish-a)
Sanskrit puruṣa, परु
ु ष "man, cosmic man"
When they divided the Purusa [as the victim at the cosmic
sacrifice], into how many parts did they separate him?...
The Brahman [“priest”] was his mouth,
his two arms became the Rajanya [“ruler”];
his two thighs are the Vaisya [one of “the people,” an artisan,
merchant, or farmer],
from his two feet the Sudra [“serf” or “servant”] was produced.
The moon sprang from his thought organ [manas], (brain)
the sun was produced from his eye;
from his mouth Indra and Agni, from his breath Vayu [“the
wind” was produced.
From his navel arose the atmosphere,
from his head the heaven evolved;
from his two feet the earth,
from his ear the directions.
Thus they fashioned the worlds. (Rg Veda X.90.11-14)
[Thomas J. Hopkins, The Hindu Religious Tradition, 24]
“Purusa” –The Caste Man
schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose interaction
accounts for all experiences and universe - Prakrti (matter) and Purusa (spirit).[In other
words, the universe is envisioned as a combination of perceivable material reality and
non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti,
is everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.
Universal principle, or Purusa, is that which is unchanging (aksara)[and is uncaused.
The animating causes, fields and principles of nature is Purusa in Hindu philosophy.
Hinduism refers to Purusa as the soul of the universe, the universal spirit present
everywhere, in everything and everyone, all the times. Purusa is Universal Principle
that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive. It is Purusa in the form of
nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and
direct change, evolution, cause and effect. It is Purusa, in Hindu concept of existence,
that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness, one that creates
oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self. It is Purusa,
according to Hinduism, why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against
being static
“Purusa”- The Caste Man
Brahmins- The mouth,
they speak the faith
Kshatriyas- The arms and
chest, they are the
warriors/rulers
Vaisyas- The thighs, they
are the farmers and
craftspeople (businsess
class). (They support the
upper levels)
Sudras- The feet, they do
all the “running.”
Harijan (Untouchables)They aren’t worthy to be
on the body