Introduction
A caste system is a type of social structure which divides people on the basis of inherited social status. Although many societies could be described in this way, within a caste system, people are rigidly expected to marry and interact with people of the same social class. India has a well- known example of a caste system, although various forms of caste systems can be found in many other cultures as well. Although people associate the caste system with India, the word is actually borrowed from the Portuguese. By 1555 A.D., English speakers were using the word to refer to a race of men, adopting the Portuguese word casta. When the Indian social system was encountered in the 1600S A.D., it came to be described as a caste system in the Portuguese sense.[1] I will discuss castes in ancient time, wrong view of castes, Not given equal economic opportunities , Buddhism against Class or caste, Kamma make different types of people, Class system today’s society and so on.
Different Castes in ancient time
The caste system in India can be described as an elaborately stratified social hierarchy distinguishing India’s social structure from any other nation. Its history is complex. There are thousands of jatis each with its own rules and customs. The earliest expressions of caste can be found in one of India’s vast bodies of religious scripture known as the Vedas, which are thought to have been complied between 1500 and 1000 BCE, although the time of their composition is under debate. They were transmitted orally for many generations before being written down. Therefore, centuries may have passed before they were ever committed to writing.[2]
These works are considered the source of ancient Indian wisdom. The first of the four basic Vedic books is the Rig Veda. The Rig Veda contains one of the most famous sections in ancient Indian literature in which the first man created, Purusa, is sacrificed in order to give rise to the four varnas.
The varna of Brahmans, commonly identified with priests and the learned class. They performed the priestly functions in the vedas. The varna of Kshatriyas, associated with rulers and warriors including property owners.
The varna of Vaishyas, associated with commercial livelihoods (i.e. traders)
The varna of Shudras, the servile laborers. Brahmins mentioned that man has been created by Brahmã(God). “The Brahmin was his mouth, his two arms were made the Rajanya [Kshatriya, king and warrior], his two thighs [loins] the Vaishya, from his feet the Sudra [servile class] was born.” [3] Now I will discuss how Buddhism views Castes.
Wrong view of Caste in ancient time
A brahmin’s sense of pleasure and pain does not differ from that of a human being coming from another caste. A man or woman from the Brahmin caste sustain life in the same way as others in difference among human beings.
The distintion between Brahmin, Khattiya, vessa, and sudda are founded merely on the observance of diverse rites trade, comes to be known as a merchant; one who indulges in military known as a soldier, and one who administers the country as a king. It was not by birth that one becomes a merchant, soldier or a king, but by actions that one performs or the job one does.[4]After discussing caste in India, I will explore classes in America.
Not given equal economic opportunities.
The people of higher class made the lower class people servant of them and they thought they can chase them at any time and Even though they can kill them if they so wish. These low class people could not have rights even for their properties. In the U.S.A. early stage of Negro population, people thought they could punish them and even they can kill those Negros if they want.[5]
Not given equal status in the Society
They were prohibited the right of education and they were not permitted to sit together with the higher class people. They were considered as unclean. Therefore separate wells have been for them, and separate roads also were for them. In the U.S.A. there are separated apartments in the railway lines and separated toilets for coloured people. They were not permitted to reside in the areas where the higher class[6].
In the U.S.A. also till recent times the punishments for Negros were severe than that of white people. If a black Negro raped a white women he will be pronounced the death penalty, but for the white person Negro women that was not the same punishment. Human beings are equal Biologically and the facts against racism[7].
Buddhism opposites Class or caste
Buddhism has given different idea against the concept of the four castes are created by the God. In the Assalayana sutta, captures the Buddha in debate with a precocious Brahm in pundit about the bramins’claims on the behalf of the caste system. In that mentioned as the following.
Brahmin student Assalayana went with a large number of Brahmins to the Blessed One. After greeting with him, he said to the Blessed One: Master Gotama, the Brahmins say thus: ‘ Brahmins are the highest caste, tho se of any other caste are inferior; Brahmins are the fairest caste, those of any other caste are dirk; only Brahmins are purified, not non- Brahmins, Brahmins alone are the sons of Brahmã, the offspring of Brahmã, born of his mouth, born of Brahmã, created by Brahmã, heirs of Brahmã. What does Master say about that? “ Now, Assayana, the Brahmin women are seen having their periods, becoming pregnant, giving a birth, and nursing. And yet those of Brahmins, though born from the womb, say thus: Brahmins are the highest caste, those of any other caste are inferior; Brahmins are the fairest caste, those of any other caste are dirk; only Brahmins are purified, not non- Brahmins, Brahmins alone are the sons of Brahmã, the offspring of Brahmã, born of his mouth, born of Brahmã, created by Brahmã, heirs of Brahmã”.[8]
Although Master Gotama says this, still the Brahmins think thus: Brahmins are the highest caste, heirs of Brahmã”.
What do you think, Assayana? Have you heard that in Yoga and Kamboja and other outland countries these are only two castes, masters and slaves. Masters become slaves and slaves becoming masters?. “So I have heard, Sir ’’[9]
Buddha did not agitate for the abolition of the Indian class system
Within the Sangha, all caste distinctions were abrogated from the moment of ordination. People from any of the four social classes who went forth under the Buddha renounced their classes title and prerogatives, becoming known simply as disciples of the Sakyan son . Whenever the Buddha and his disciples confronted the Brahmins’ claim to superiority, they argued vigorously against them, as our text shows, the Buddha maintained that all such claims were groundless. Purification, he contended, was the result of conduct, not of birth, and was thus accessible to those of all four castes.[10]
The Buddha introduced the idea of placing a higher value on morality and the equality of people instead of on which family or caste a person is born into. This was also the first attempt to abolish discrimination and slavery in the history of mankind.
The Buddha said:
By birth one is not an outcaste,
By birth one is not a Brahmin;
By deeds alone one is an outcaste,
By deeds alone one is a Brahmin.[11]
Kamma makes different types of people
In cula kamma vinga sutta, The Buddha finds out why a person to be born in a law clan and a servant and a person to be born in a high clan and master as the following.
Young man, a certain woman or man is stubborn and conceited. Does not revere, the worthy of reverence, offer a seat to one worthy of a seat, give prominence to one worthy of prominence, honour the worthy of honour On account of that action, accomplishment and undertaking, after death he decreases, is born in hell. After death, if he is not born in hell, and if born with humans, he is born, not offering a seat to one worthy of a seat, not giving prominence to one worthy of prominence, not honouring the worthy of honour is conducive to be born in a low clan.[12]
Young man, a certain woman or man is not stubborn and not conceited, reveres the worthy of reverence, offers a seat to one worthy of a seat, gives prominence to one worthy of prominence, honours the worthy of honor on account of that action, accomplishment and undertaking, after death he increases, is born in heaven. After death, if he is not born in heaven, and if born with humans, he is born, in a high clan Young man the behaviour of revering, the worthy of reverence, offering a seat to one worthy of a seat, giving prominence to one worthy of prominence, honouring the worthy of honour is conducive to be born in a high clan.[13] It is how Kamma makes different types of people. Today we can also see the different types of people.
Class system today’s society
What is Class?
Sociologists define social class as the grouping of people by occupations. Doctors and lawyers and university teachers are given more status than unskilled laborers. The different positions represent different levels of power, influence and money. In days gone by your class would affect your chances of getting an education, a job, etc. and it would also affect the people who you could socialize with and marry. Today this type of thing is all-but-gone with the high-profile exception of the Royal family.[14] The common three-stratum model
Concepts of social class often assume three general categories: a very wealthy and powerful upper class that owns and controls the means of production; a middle class of professional workers, small business owners, and low-level managers; and a lower class, who rely on low-paying wage jobs for their livelihood and often experience poverty.[15]
Upper class
Members of the upper class generally wield much greater political power than members of the lower or middle class.
The upper class is the social class composed of those who are wealthy, well-born, or both. They usually wield the greatest political power. In some countries, wealth alone is sufficient to allow entry into the upper class. In others, only people born into certain aristocratic bloodlines are considered members of the upper class, and those who gain great wealth through commercial activity are looked down upon as nouveau riche. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Upper Classes are the aristocracy and royalty, with wealth playing a less important role in class status. The upper class is generally contained within the wealthiest 1 or 2 percent of the population. Members of the upper class are often born into it, and are distinguished by immense wealth which is passed from generation to generation in the form of estates. Sometimes members of the upper class are called "the one percent".[16]
Middle class
The middle class are the most contested of the three categorizations, the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the lower class and upper class. One example of the contestation of this term is that In the United States "middle class" is applied very broadly and includes people who would elsewhere be considered lower class. Middle class workers are sometimes called "white-collar workers". [17]
Lower class
Working class people often live in decaying, crime-ridden urban areas with low-quality civil services.
Lower classes (occasionally described as working class) are those employed in low-paying wage jobs with very little economic security. The working class is sometimes separated into those who are employed but lacking financial security, and an underclass—those who are long-term unemployed and/or homeless, especially those receiving welfare from the state. The latter is analogous to the Marxist term "lumpenproletariat". Members of the working class are sometimes called blue-collar workers.[18]
Conclusion
Brahmins mention that man has been created by Brahmã(God). The Brahmin was his mouth, his two arms were made the Rajanya [Kshatriya, king and warrior], his two thighs [loins] the Vaishya, from his feet the Sudra [servile class] was born. According to Buddhism, the caste and the class system is wrong because Buddha points out the true nature of beings in his teaching in Dhammapada. By birth one is not an outcaste and not a Brahmin; By deeds alone one is an outcaste and a Brahmin.
These are only two castes, masters and slaves. Masters become slaves and slaves become masters due to their deeds called kamma in pali. Buddha suggests people who do not want to be born as slave, they should not look down other people and not be proud because the action will punish them as the slave. Buddha taught if ones want to gain a high position in their lives , ones should be energetic, mindful, pure in deed, considerate, self-controlled, right living, and heedful steadily in this present life so that they change their lives bad situation to good one. The Buddha says that everything does not depend on only ones' past deeds.[19] The kamma is very powerful; nobody can prevent its good result and bad result. When they know the Dhamma, they will do what are good, and will avoid what are bad then ones will be born in high family and live happily therefore Buddha’s teaching is the best leader and guidance of all gods and man.[20] The Dhamma represents the Buddha because Buddha himself instructed to the monks before his passing away, informing them that his doctrine, that is to say the Norm and the law, shall be their teacher when he is gone.[21]
Bibliography
Bodhi Bikkhu. (2005).In the Buddha’s words. Somerville: Wisdom Puplications, Inc. 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144.USA.
Barrow Mandy. British Life & culture. www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/class.htm Buddhism in Thailand. 10 (December 2002). Selangor: World Buddhist University Council, the Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam, D.E. Malaysia
History of the Caste System in India. www.mtholyoke.edu. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~epandit/page2.html
Kariyawasam Tilak. (2012). Buddhist Concept of Man. Man and His society Lecture, Second Semester. Pak Thong Chai: International Buddhist College, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Ñanamoli Thera. Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta: The Shorter Exposition of Kamma. www.accesstoinsight.org.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.nymo.html
(Part Two) 24. The Buddha on the Caste System. http://www.buddhanet.net. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_24lbud.htm
Ratnapala Nandasena. Buddhist Sociology.(2005).Second Edition.Ratmalana: A sarvodaya Vishva Lekha, 41, Lumbini avenue, Sri.lanka.
Social class. www.en.wikipedia.org.com Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class
What is a Caste System? www.wisegeek.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-caste-system.htm
[1]What is a Caste System? www.wisegeek.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-caste-system.htm
[2] History of the Caste System in India. www.mtholyoke.edu. Retrieved 2 March, 2012
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~epandit/page2.html
[3] Ibid 1
[4] Nandasena Ratnapala. Buddhist Sociology.(2005).Second Edition.Ratmalana: A sarvodaya Vishva Lekha, 41, Lumbini avenue, Sri.lanka.
[5] Prof. Dr. Tilak Kariyawasam. (2012). Buddhist Concept of Man, P.24. Man and His society Lecture, Second Semester. Pak Thong Chai: International Buddhist College, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
[6] Ibid 1
[7] Ibid 2
[8] Bikkhu Bodhi. (2005).In the Buddha’s words. P. 113. Somerville: Wisdom Puplications, Inc. 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144.USA
[9] Ibid 1
[10] Ibid 2
[11] (Part Two) 24. The Buddha on the Caste System. http://www.buddhanet.net. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_24lbud.htm
[12] Ñanamoli Thera. Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta: The Shorter Exposition of Kamma. www.accesstoinsight.org.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.135.nymo.html
[13] Ibid 1
[14]Mandy Barrow. British Life & culture. www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk.com. Retrieved 2 March, 2012. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/class.htm
[15] Ibid 1
[16] Ibid 2
[17] Ibid 3
[18] Social class. www.en.wikipedia.org.com Retrieved 2 March, 2012.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class
[19] Narada. (1993).The Dhammapada. P.26. Taipei: The corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation 11f., 55 HANG Chow south Road sec 1, Thaiwan.R.O.C.
[20] Dhammo ca vinayo ca desito paňňatto, te no sattã.
[21] Buddhism in Thailand. P.4. 10 (December 2002) Selangor: World Buddhist University Council, the Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam, D.E. Malaysia
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