Uma Chakravarti a historian from Miranda House College. She talked about Budhha, caste and gender quoting from primary sources like Vinaya-Pitika and Sutta-Pitika.
Caste system was not firmly established at the time of Buddhism in India.. ie till 2nd century AD. Buddha created a 'perfect world' only for monks and did not directly challenge the social order but tried to humanize it. Firmly opposed the view that Brahmins are the best etc. Supposed to eat whatever was given.. so no insistence on vegetarianism..also to avoid bhikkus from going to a particular house because he knows that the food is better there.
His cousin Ananda was a feminist and his dialogues with Budhha show that he convinced him to allow women in monastic order.
Caste system is stg that is so ingrained that even changing religion like becoming Christian or Muslim does not get rid of it.. Brahminism is convenient for maintaining status quo for rulers.
Budhha's thought/ philosophy had a relevance to the conditions of his times. Unlike Brahminical texts like Vedas that claimed to be timeless, Pitikas give a clear idea of history and actual specific places where such and such discussion took place. Books by Rhys Davids Pali Text society, Pali Canon.
Buddha opposed mindless cow sacrifices and rituals. Concept of Ahimsa got incorporated in Hinduism from Buddhism. monks not allowed to grow attached to even their robe or bowl. once a year all of their bowls n clothes were mixed in a big container and they picked new ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment