Buddism vs Hinduism

[ajay0]

I think this is a bit of a reversal. Societies don't tend to get born from religion.. Spirituality is something that evolves along with the societies they come from. Lets not forget that Buddhism coexisted while the caste system was a thing. The Buddha did not condemn the caste system but would take bhikkus from every caste.

However at no point did the Buddha ever say the caste system was wrong at the time. The other thing that is interesting to take note of is that as power was consolidated more and more by the Brahmin caste we eventually got more rules for lower castes and eventually made it so that those others castes had to pay them more reverence. It's not so simplistic and is evolving all the time.

See, caste system was not part of the original religion of Hinduism, which emphasizes equality and fraternity of all human beings.

The caste system came later on as a smriti or temporary social and feudal system , similar to those in europe and japan. It was supposed to be changed when it became obsolete, but it was continued mainly out of tradition and conditioning.

Hindu sects like the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Kabir Panthis, Lingayats, Prajapita Brahmakumaris recognize this fact, and hence disregard the obsolete caste system, and themselves proclaim the equality and fraternity of all human beings.

Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Nanak , who are the founders of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism respectively, similarly proclaim the same teachings.

 

[Truthseeker]

See, caste system was not part of the original religion of Hinduism, which emphasizes equality and fraternity of all human beings.

The caste system came later on as a smriti or temporary social and feudal system , similar to those in europe and japan. It was supposed to be changed when it became obsolete, but it was continued mainly out of tradition and conditioning.

Hindu sects like the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Kabir Panthis, Lingayats, Prajapita Brahmakumaris recognize this fact, and hence disregard the obsolete caste system, and themselves proclaim the equality and fraternity of all human beings.

Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Nanak , who are the founders of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism respectively, similarly proclaim the same teachings.

Castes are rigid social groups characterized by hereditary transmission of life style, occupation and social status. The caste system in India has its origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and the British Raj.[1][2][3][4] The caste system consists of two different concepts, varna and jati, which may be regarded as different levels of analysis.

The caste system as it exists today is thought to be the result of developments during the collapse of the Mughal era and the rise of the British colonial government in India.[1][5] The collapse of the Mughal era saw the rise of powerful men who associated themselves with kings, priests and ascetics, affirming the regal and martial form of the caste ideal, and it also reshaped many apparently casteless social groups into differentiated caste communities.[6] The British Raj furthered this development, making rigid caste organisation a central mechanism of administration.[5] Between 1860 and 1920, the British formulated the caste system into their system of governance, granting administrative jobs and senior appointments only to Christians and people belonging to certain castes.

Caste system in India - Wikipedia

 

[ajay0]

Castes are rigid social groups characterized by hereditary transmission of life style, occupation and social status. The caste system in India has its origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and the British Raj.[1][2][3][4] The caste system consists of two different concepts, varna and jati, which may be regarded as different levels of analysis.

The caste system as it exists today is thought to be the result of developments during the collapse of the Mughal era and the rise of the British colonial government in India.[1][5] The collapse of the Mughal era saw the rise of powerful men who associated themselves with kings, priests and ascetics, affirming the regal and martial form of the caste ideal, and it also reshaped many apparently casteless social groups into differentiated caste communities.[6] The British Raj furthered this development, making rigid caste organisation a central mechanism of administration.[5] Between 1860 and 1920, the British formulated the caste system into their system of governance, granting administrative jobs and senior appointments only to Christians and people belonging to certain castes.

Caste system in India - Wikipedia

Yes, even in ancient and medieval times, many castes were demoted to the lower castes for non-performance of vedic rites , while Shankacharya had promoted many lower castes to higher castes in certain regions to develop a vedic culture there.

It was a social and feudal system, developed to bring about consolidation of culture and learning specific to certain occupations. This was necessary in those times, but not at present when there are universities and colleges for the purpose.

 

[Truthseeker]

Yes, even in ancient and medieval times, many castes were demoted to the lower castes for non-performance of vedic rites , while Shankacharya had promoted many lower castes to higher castes in certain regions to develop a vedic culture there.

It was a social and feudal system, developed to bring about consolidation of culture and learning specific to certain occupations. This was necessary in those times, but not at present when there are universities and colleges for the purpose.

That's beyond my scope of knowledge right now.

 

[soulsurvivor]

I mean you are talking about a religion founded by a guy who claimed to talk to gods , supposedly had magical powers etc. Add this to the long list of beliefs that come with later developments in Buddhism. Tantric Buddhism is full of stories regarding people having mystical powers ...

The Buddha never claimed to talk to gods - in fact he did even claim that gods exist. BTW, both Ramakrishna and Yogananda have claimed to have talked to the goddess - they are both Hindus and for me both are quite believable.

Believing in miracles or magical or mystical powers is not superstition. I myself believe that miracles as well such mystical powers are possible. Tantra (in Hinduism as well Buddhism) has interesting perspective on life and deep practices with hidden meanings.

Superstition is believing in strange, irrational things like worshipping snakes (on a certain day) or animal sacrifices (like in Kalighat) or having temples for Ravana (supposedly a demon) or even Vital (supposed a ghost) - these superstitions exist in Hinduism (although they are not mainstream). In fact, there are currently some Hindus in India today who worship Donald Trump!

Buddhism on the other hand is fairly clean from such beliefs or practices. Of course, if you leave out these strange practices, Hinduism is a great religion with a rich and profound philosophy.

 

[Secret Chief]

In fact, there are currently some Hindus in India today who worship Donald Trump!

I can believe that, given that there are some Americans who do this too.

 

[ajay0]

Superstition is believing in strange, irrational things like worshipping snakes (on a certain day) or animal sacrifices (like in Kalighat) or having temples for Ravana (supposedly a demon) or even Vital (supposed a ghost) - these superstitions exist in Hinduism (although they are not mainstream). In fact, there are currently some Hindus in India today who worship Donald Trump!

Snake worship is part of nature worship. Most snakes are non-poisonous, around 95 per cent of them, and contribute to agriculture and farming by getting rid of pests and rodents.

Animal sacrifices were greatly reduced by the influence of Buddhism, Jainism and Gandhis teachings on nonviolence at present. The constitution also bars such animal and bird sacrfices.

Ravana, being a brahmin, is revered by the brahmin community, in some parts of the country. It is not a mainstream practice. And I know only of a single temple as such, and it hosts a shivalingam as well, which ravana revered. As the villain of the Ramayana he is praised for his strength and courage, even by the Avatar Rama.

There are some temples devoted to demi-gods in rural areas, and some even to negate the influence of negative spirits as such. But these are not mainstream stuff and came up for customised requirements in certain areas.

With respect to trump being seen as a god, there are such similar hilarious so-called temples dedicated to popular film and sports stars built by fanatical fans. They are usually done as a fun activity by fans though they are mocked and considered as nuts by the conservative society around them. But since these are harmless activities they are usually tolerated.

Buddhism on the other hand is fairly clean from such beliefs or practices. Of course, if you leave out these strange practices, Hinduism is a great religion with a rich and profound philosophy.

Yes, Buddhism to a large extent is clean of such stuff, and have a logical approach to spirituality.

 

[crossfire]

The Buddha never claimed to talk to gods - in fact he did even claim that gods exist. BTW, both Ramakrishna and Yogananda have claimed to have talked to the goddess - they are both Hindus and for me both are quite believable.

Actually, Buddha is known as the "teacher of devas," travelled to the Brahma realm and spoke with the the Great Brahma as a display of his psychic powers, and had a keen relationship with Sakka, King of the Devas. (Sakka is associated with Indra)
Brahma-nimantanika Sutta: The Brahma Invitation (accesstoinsight.org)
Sakka-pañha Sutta: Sakka's Questions (accesstoinsight.org)

 

[soulsurvivor]

I can believe that, given that there are some Americans who do this too.

In India it is more serious with a temple with an idol or photo of Trump ritually worshipped regularly.(but there are just few such worshippers)

 

[SalixIncendium]

In India it is more serious with a temple with an idol or photo of Trump ritually worshipped regularly.(but there are just few such worshippers)

Show me.

 

[soulsurvivor]

Show me.

He Built a Trump Statue and Worshiped It. Then He Collapsed. (Published 2020)

 

[SalixIncendium]

He Built a Trump Statue and Worshiped It. Then He Collapsed. (Published 2020)

It’s behind a paywall, so unfortunately, I can’t see the article. Where in India was this?

 

[JustGeorge]

It’s behind a paywall, so unfortunately, I can’t see the article. Where in India was this?

Here's a video of the same guy.

My computer is slow enough to load that I saw the picture and read a paragraph before it paywalled me.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Here's a video of the same guy.

My computer is slow enough to load that I saw the picture and read a paragraph before it paywalled me.

Wow!

 

[soulsurvivor]

It’s behind a paywall, so unfortunately, I can’t see the article. Where in India was this?

 

[ajay0]

In India it is more serious with a temple with an idol or photo of Trump ritually worshipped regularly.(but there are just few such worshippers)

Ritual worship requires mantras and much elaborate preparation.

This guy just created a statue of Trump in his backyard and engaged in show of worship. He probably did it for publicity as newspaper reporters/photographers are quick to catch on eccentricities to get headlines.

Temples created for film stars and so on are common in India, but they are not part of Hinduism where God as in the Shivalingam and deities and enlightened sages are worshipped due to their auspicious nature.

Indian film star Sonu Sood is known for his charitable disposition, and consequently fans built a temple for him .

An Indian Village Built a Temple for Bollywood Actor Who Helped Migrants in the Pandemic

If you do some good charitable work yourself, you can get a temple built for yourself by fans with your photograph or statue.