The Hindu Caste

System

Hinduism

•It is different than Christianity and other religions because it does not have a single founderTwo most important features:1 – Caste System2 – Vedas = Sacred scriptures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AYL9_-PQyQ

Hinduism

Outsiders influenced the development of Hinduism:•The Aryans, who came to India in 1500 and brought with them their religion of Vedism. •These beliefs became mixed with the Indian beliefs to form the Hindu religion.

The Vedas•The Rig Veda tells the story of the first god who created the world. •The God was sacrificed and out of his body parts the whole universe were made. •The body parts turned into different groups of people, so that Indian people thought of themselves as belonging to one of four castes, or groups. •http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9yWwFWpbRo

The Caste System

•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 castes

Can You Identify the Social Groups in the Photo?

Brahmins—thinkers/knowers

Vaisya—provide food for the bellySudra—do the work

Ksatriya—doers

Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator)

• 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

What is the role of the Brahmin?

KSHATRIYAS

What is the role of the warrior class?

VAISYAS

What is the role of the Merchants / Landowners?

SUDRAS

What is the role of the commers?

•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.

HARIJAN also called Untouchables

Introduction to India Caste System

The Untouchables: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=j31veR74gSo&feature=related