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Buddhist cosmology Cosmology?

o “The science of the origin and development of the universe”.

(Astronomy)

o “The branch of philosophy dealing with the origin and general

structure of the universe”

(Philosophy)

Several sub-cosmologies. We will focus in one:

o Vertical Cosmology

According with the Vertical Cosmology, the universe consists

of several worlds (realms/layers/levels)

The 3 vertical realms:

o Formless Realm or Arupyadhatu

o Form Realm or Rupadhatu

o Desire Realm or Kamadhatu

Inside the Desire Realm there is:

o Mount Sumeru which is said to be surrounded by four

island-continents.

o The southernmost island is called Jambudvipa.

o The other three island-continents are not accessible to

humans from Jambudvipa

Jambudvipa

o Jambudvipa is shaped like a triangle with a rounded corner

facing south. (Could it be southern India?)

o In its center there’s a gigantic Jambu (rose Apple) tree from

which the continent takes its name, meaning "Jambu Island".

o Jambudvipa is the only region where humans can live.

o Where one may receive the gift of Dharma (cosmic laws on

right behavior and social order)

o And come to understand the Four Noble Truths,

o And the Noble Eightfold Path and ultimately realize the

liberation from the cycle of life and death.

To know more:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cosmology?s=t

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cosmology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmology#Temporal_cosmology

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/dharma

https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/four-noble-truths

https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s02.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path

Hindu Caste System Indian concept, created to give order to their society.

Yet, it resembles, in some ways, Plato's ideal society of philosophers,

warriors and commoners.

A caste is a division of society based on occupation and family lineage.

Hindu caste system recognizes four distinct classes or divisions among

people based in certain criteria.

Enforced through a rigid code of conduct specific to each class and

rooted in the dharmashastras (law books).

1. Indian caste system is based on people’s occupation.

2. Why?

2.1. The need to organize and optimize the society in general

3. Who did it?

3.1. Imagine a wise man, on the top of a rock, saying:

“Fellows, there is lot of growing to do and for that to happen everyone

has to chip in with some work, so, who’s going to do what?”

4. How?

4.1. DIVIDING SOCIETY INTO CASTES

Education - everyone knowledgeable enough, willing to pass it on to

future generations, form a group of teachers to educate the children.

They are called as Brahmin (not Brahman).

Protection - all the muscular men and women, they must protect their

land and their people. They are called as Kshatriya.

Food - everyone who knows how to produce food (vegetables, rice, etc.)

are called as Vaisya.

And the remaining ones, they will provide some assistance to the above

all. Since there is no concept of money, everyone has to put in some work

to get along. They are called as Sudras.

But…

After sometime, some people understood that, some others were not

doing anything, only enjoying the results of this caste system.

They decided to exclude these lazy people from the caste system.

And so we have the outcasts / outlaws. They are called as Dalits

(Untouchables).

Real divisions inside the Hindu caste system:

Originally a necessity (to organize society)

Static and perpetual system Social injustice

Therefore: not based on real skills but on social heritage

Brahmins (priests)

They were the priestly class, who are entitled to study the Vedas,

perform rituals for themselves and for others.

They were the middle men between gods and men.

They should act as temple priests and invoke gods on behalf of

others.

They were expected to show exemplary behavior

They would spend their lives in the pursuit of divine knowledge

and preservation of traditions.

Kshatriyas (nobles)

They were the warrior class, with the responsibility to protect the

people.

Bestow gifts to the Brahmins, offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors,

study the Vedas, and dispense justice.

A king should not be despised even if he was an infant. His authority

should not be questioned except when he ignored his duties in

supporting and protecting Brahmins.

The king had the right to punish, but he had to be fair in his

punishments.

It was king's responsibility to protect the caste system and,

therefore, the social order.

Vaisyas (upper labor class: landowners / merchants / traders)

Provide sustenance for those on higher classes.

They were the peasant and merchant classes:

o Cultivating the land

o Producing goods

o Trading

o Lending money

They were expected to offer sacrifices and study the Vedas.

They had the right to perform and participate in certain Vedic rituals.

They were not allowed to marry women from higher castes.

Sudras – (lower labor class)

Their only duty was to serve the other three castes.

They were not required to observe any Vedic rituals.

They were not allowed to study the Vedas or even hear the sacred

chants.

They were not allowed to eat food in the company of higher castes.

They were not allowed to marry women from higher castes.

Dalits (Untouchables)

From Classical Sanskrit, it means "divided, split, broken"

Considered to be the impure ones.

They were treated as untouchables because of their tendency to:

o gory religious practices

o sacrifices

o perform magical rituals

o unclean habits

In ancient times they were not allowed to enter a village or city

during day time or walk in the same street where men of other castes

would be walking (Even their shadow was considered impure and their

very sight a bad omen/presage).

So they lived mostly on the fringes of society, unknown and uncared

for.

Following some strange religion of their own.

Working mostly in the graveyards and cremation grounds or as

hunters, butchers and professional cleaners of human waste (worst

jobs/tasks).

Muslim caste system, in South Asia:

Early Delhi Sultanates

It’s in direct violation of Islam’s

view that everyone is equal

The Hindu caste system is based

on occupation while the Muslim

caste system is based on ancestry.

Divided in

o Ashrafs

o Aljafs

o Arzals

To know more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmaśāstra

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-Indian-caste-system-and-how-does-it-work

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_caste.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshatriya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shudra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas