Patterns of Life
8.3
Caste system
A.
a rigid social system set up to maintain
order
1. born into – can’t leave
2. influences all aspects of life
3. based on Hinduism
B.
Varnas
1. different categories ppl are born into
2. based on belief in (c)reincarnation,
(b)karma, and (a)dharma
3. the higher the varna, the closer one is
to (d)moksha
4. created by Aryans (ancient invaders)
many subdivisions (2,000-3,000 jati)
5. made illegal in 1950
definitions
a. dharma: duties; responsibilities
b. karma: life and death cycle based
on past deeds (dharma)
c. reincarnation: rebirth of the soul in
various forms until moksha is
achieved
d. moksha: freeing of the soul from
the body to unite with Brahman
(supreme god)
6. Brahmans:
a. Priests, teachers, and
intellectuals
b. head of the caste system
c. expected to live very frugally.
7. Kshatriays:
a. warriors, police, and
administrators
b. they are the nobility, the
protectors of society
c. permitted a number of
privileges - expected to display
considerable strength of body and
character.
8. Vaisyas: farmers, merchants, and
business people (productive class)
9. Sudras:
a. artisans and workers
b. born to be servants to the other
three varnas
c. only section of society allowed
to accept another's employment
C. untouchables:
a. outside of the caste system
b. harsh life
c. do menial and unappealing tasks
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/
D. Rules
1. intended to keep people ritually pure
2. more strict for upper castes
3. contact with lower castes or
untouchables may cause pollution