Hinduism

a link from a while back.

Hinduism thread

 

hasbeens asked:
I heard a lecturer on the radio the other day explaining that the caste system (or maybe Hinduism, not sure) was based on the belief that at one time, the Supreme was held behind a barrier. When that barrier was breached, the Supreme 'flowed' out into the universe, and earth was a part of that occurrence. He said that the castes were based on how close a being is to the Supreme, physically. For example: grass is higher than soil, animals are (mostly) higher than grass, humans are (mostly) higher than animals. Does this have any validity to it, or was the guy completely misinformed?

I have not heard of this, but many people do feel that the caste you're born into is a direct reflection upon your deeds in your past life. however, your actions in your current life are not dictated by which caste you are born into.

 

Thanks for posting the link, Lj. Another good thread that needs to be moved into this forum. (hint hint) I was hoping you'd either find your way over here, or someone would invite you.

Thanks also for that clarification. So if a hindu person's position in the caste system is based on his or her actions in the previous life (according to the belief you referenced), what determines the first caste?

 

from what i've understood, caste isnt an exact science as far as the reincarnation process is concerned. it is solely based upon action and deeds in your past life- the lowest caste (shudra/sweeper) is a step up from an animal lets say. however, you can be a shudra and lead a very righteous life and reach "enlightenment" by pacifiying and renunciating your past actions, therefore avoiding the the reincarnation into higher castes. if you are born into a caste, it doesnt meant that you are locked into that caste for your life- caste is more of a classification of service in the society, but corrupt leaders, the moguls and then the brits exploited it to become a stigma.

 

So people are always people? I was under the impression that under the caste system, people could 'devolve' via reincarnation into animals. Is that incorrect?

 

caste, from my knowledge, is in reference to human form. souls can traverse through human and animal lives, according to hinduism.

 

Yes humans can return as an animal in the next life.It all depends on all you were in your current life.This is one reason why cows are sacred.