Caste System

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Vanakkam.I came across an article by 'Mahaa Periya

Swamigal' of Kanci Mutt which i like to share with you

all.He talks in depth about the caste system and

related aspects.The article is present in the

following link

 

http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part3/chap5.htm

 

Kind Regards

Thillai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Let us revisit the issue of Caste system. Since the last email outlining the proposal

that Caste system should not be part of the GCSE Hinduism syllabus in the UK,

we have had over 100 emails offering a variety of opinions. A vast majority like the one

from Sri Giridharilal Bhan or Sri NavalKrisan Prinja praised our efforts and offered their

help in this process. But then there were some that showed concern: "Would

this mean that the benevolent 'jati or community' structures in the UK would become

redundant?" Some emails were extremely poor showing a complete lack of perspective (Vivek) regarding what should be considered to be central to Hindu teachings.

'Upanishadic teachings' or 'dharma-shastras'?

 

Let us respond to the points:-

 

 

The Caste in the UK has turned into 'Clans'.... nothing wrong with that. And every clan

produces professionals in all fields..and really there is no imposed (to be fair

a very little importance paid to) hierarchy. Nothing wrong with such social groupings.

Nothing wrong with people working together for the betterment of all.

 

Let us share the response given on the practicality of what is actually happening

in UK schools and outline some matters of serious concern.

 

 

Caste system as part of the GCSE syllabus is:

Purely Hereditary Caste classification - Ideas of Jatis is considered a subdivision

within this. This division is fixed by birth and there is a hierarchy involved.

Caste as 'abilities'.....is not taught nor mentioned in the GCSE syllabus. 'Abilities' do

not come into the equation. The jatis focus on abilities but are fixed at birth too - abilities

become enhanced to fulfil this role fixed at birth.

 

If you were a child and were studying GCSE Hinduism at a school in the UK you come

across these ideas of caste and may then go home and ask your parents about your

caste and position in this hierarchy and will be told that you are one of the 'lower castes'

and 'since birth your profession is fixed - it is to be say a mochi' -- that is what Hinduism

has just told you. You may say that your family and yourself are so enlightened that you

are not concerned by such mis-teachings as you are very knowledgeable in such matters.

It is your ability that decides your profession and 'really' there is no hierarchy! How wonderful

for you!! But what about all those thousands of youngsters who do not know all this?

Hinduism course has 'put them down and put them in their place'....... What about all the

non-Hindu students who study world religions. They will have no sympathy for a religion

that teaches such inequality right from birth...... What a despicable religion!!

You see what has just happened. This is the Hinduism portrayed at every school.

 

Do any of you think for a moment that we are not aware of what this hereditary caste

system has done to our nation? Do we think that we should not deal with this matter?

Sure we have to handle this matter but not at GCSE Hinduism level.

Do you know how the Hereditary Caste system should be classified?

It would come under : 'Atrocities in the name of religion'

Do we want this teaching to be in part of the GCSE syllabus in Hinduism.

NO WAY.

Reason?:-

If Christianity was taught in schools with 20 percent of syllabus devoted to the Crusades,

the Inquisitions, the butchery committed in the name of spreading Christianity in South

America --- every Christian child will be offended will turn away from Christianity.

Every Christian will shout that this is 'Not TRUE Christianity'. It only shows how

Christian people misbehaved in the name of religion and as such this should not be

part of the GCSE syllabus teaching Christianity ...even though everything is very true.

 

But do you think that some of our own 'so learned and wise' Hindus would would exhibit

such maturity and sense of perspective? No! they want to give us long winded advise in

such a worldly wise manner!

 

After the last email on this topic one Hindu youth said 'kudos' to you dilipbhai.

Response - we are not looking for 'kudos' - we are a non-commercial body : )

What we are looking for is 'blood' -- 'young blood' to be more precise.

 

regards

Vivekananda Centre London