The caste system is an evil that has plagued Indian society since time immemorial. Over several decades, this affliction has only changed in form but has never been completely eradicated. It was of relevance more than a thousand years ago, and it is of relevance now. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the most prominent opponents of the caste system, said the following-
“Caste has killed public spirit. Caste has destroyed the sense of public charity. Caste has made public opinion impossible. Virtue has become caste-ridden. And morality has become cast-bound.” – Babasaheb Ambedkar in “The Annihilation of Caste”
The origin of the Indian caste system has several religious and biological theories about its evolution. The religious theories state that the primal man, Purush, pulverized himself to create a human society and the diverse parts of his body constituted the four unique Varnas. The Brahmins were from his head, the Kshatriyas from his hands, the Vaishyas from his thighs, and the Shudras from his feet. The Varna hierarchy is determined by the descending order of the different organs from which the Varnas were created.
The biological theory claims that all living as well as non-living entities on earth inherit the following qualities. Sattva qualities include wisdom, intelligence, honesty, goodness and other …show more content…
Buddhism’s propagation started as a result of violence of Hindu society and brutality of the caste system. Buddhism utterly rejects any system of caste, and it reached high levels of support during the rule of Ashoka, who adopted the Buddhist concept of ahimsa (non violence), and the principle of equality. He ridiculed the priests who claimed to be superior, criticized the theological basis of the system, and welcomed people of all castes in his community. Even during the time when Buddhism was decaying in India, it continued to welcome all
“Caste has killed public spirit. Caste has destroyed the sense of public charity. Caste has made public opinion impossible. Virtue has become caste-ridden. And morality has become cast-bound.” – Babasaheb Ambedkar in “The Annihilation of Caste”
The origin of the Indian caste system has several religious and biological theories about its evolution. The religious theories state that the primal man, Purush, pulverized himself to create a human society and the diverse parts of his body constituted the four unique Varnas. The Brahmins were from his head, the Kshatriyas from his hands, the Vaishyas from his thighs, and the Shudras from his feet. The Varna hierarchy is determined by the descending order of the different organs from which the Varnas were created.
The biological theory claims that all living as well as non-living entities on earth inherit the following qualities. Sattva qualities include wisdom, intelligence, honesty, goodness and other …show more content…
Buddhism’s propagation started as a result of violence of Hindu society and brutality of the caste system. Buddhism utterly rejects any system of caste, and it reached high levels of support during the rule of Ashoka, who adopted the Buddhist concept of ahimsa (non violence), and the principle of equality. He ridiculed the priests who claimed to be superior, criticized the theological basis of the system, and welcomed people of all castes in his community. Even during the time when Buddhism was decaying in India, it continued to welcome all