Sathfilms

J. Ajith Kumar (1959 – 20xx): Temple Tamperings

A very interesting blog entry that talks about numerous things mainly with regards to the Hindu religion and interpretations of how it should be practiced. If i’m correct, the writer maintains that religions and belief systems are tested the most by internal acceptance (and questioning); and thus the structure should be based on at least some sort of logic and reasoning. For example, the entrance of those from a “lower caste” doesn’t really make enough sense – they are people just the same as those of a “higher caste” but do a different job. The writer also argues that the gates to a temple shouldn’t be open to people who may disrupt or badly impact the integrity of the location by a lack of respect for the given beliefs. I personally agree with the post. Again, we find another example of  discrimination based on ideas or interpretations regarding things which are taught as “fact,” when they are not necessarily so.

One view: according to the “Geethavahini” also known as “The Divine Gospel” (written from the spoken words of Sathya Sai Baba) the caste system was not written to cause discrimination. It speaks of the castes as different parts of society that allow it to function efficiently, and therefore if any of those “parts” are missing, society will fail to operate [smoothly]. So the caste system exists for people to know their role and do it as best as they can for the benefit of the community; however, “there is no higher or lower” caste. The analogy used in this book is that the castes are merely the different parts of the same body – there is no unclean caste, thus the basis of hatred is a useless interpretation that causes discrimination. The texts continues, and articulates that the leaders preserved the caste system to avoid anarchy – to maintain culture. The discrimination was not inherent in the original ideas. However the text also says, referring to the leaders of the past, that “their intelligence, scholarship, spiritual eminence, their spirit of inquiry and their impartial unprejudiced approach to social problems can be found only among one in a hundred today.” Each part, or caste, also had a part in maintaining the spiritual integrity of the community.

So, what is the text saying? It’s seems to say that for society to function, for spritiual integrity to remain, various people have to perform a function – jobs that need to be done – and as such, these positions have names. However there is no ranking; there is no discrimination between the castes. It seems fine, because this is how society operates anyway. However, the text seems to also imply that someone born into a particular caste needs to earn their place and do their assigned duties since a child born into a family of, farmers let’s say, will be learning about farming throughout their childhood thus more likely to better than a child born into the family of a priest who has been learning about scripture throught their childhood. I think that statement doesn’t take our freedom in thinking and diversity of interests (regardless of our family) into account. And that’s where the problems start – “you must do this.” So, there are noble roots to the caste system, and the ”allotment” attitude can account for some of the discrimination, but the rest, saying someone is “unclean,” where did that come from? Only more research may reveal that – but my best guess right now is that such rubbish was derived from a combination of ridiculous interpretations, abuse of power and the existence of such a structure or system where it’s difficult to stand up for yourself because you must do what you’re meant to do.

Then we get people today performing repugnant rituals, such as the cleansing of lower caste children with cow urine - article here. 

People and interpretations deform religion (and the image of religions) and scare people away from teachings that actually might have some value. To me, it always seems to be a lack of questioning that allows this to happen, and the adherence to “rules” that ”must” be followed.