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Question: Different religions effect on ancient Indian caste system!?
How did hinduim, buddhism, and islam all effect the caste system differently!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


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The caste system was created by the Aryans when they invaded India from 2,000 B!.C!.E!. to 1,500 B!.C!.E!., and many religions in the history of India have affected the caste system!. The caste system is a system where people are born into specific social groups that they cannot change!. These five groups include Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), Shudras (laborers), and Dalits (untouchables)!. The caste system in India was altered and affected over time by Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism!.

Hinduism and Jainism are two very similar religions that affected the caste system!. Hinduism is thought to be the oldest religious tradition and it was created based off Aryan beliefs!. Hinduism changed the caste system from being a social system, to a system in religion!. For Hindus, the greatest achievement possible is moksha, being one with God and the universe!. Moksha cannot be achieved in one lifetime; it takes many reincarnations of a person’s soul to achieve moksha!. They believe that in order to have the chance to achieve moksha, one must be reincarnated to the highest caste, being a Brahman!. Being reincarnated to a higher caste requires following the law of karma and practicing ahimsa, non-violence!. Jainism grew out of Hinduism in around 500 B!.C!.E!. Jainism was a lot like Hinduism and the Jains practiced an extreme form of ahimsa!. Hinduism and Jainism affected the caste system!.

Buddhism is another religion that altered the caste system in India!. Buddhism rejected the idea that one must move up through the caste system in order to achieve moksha!. They believed that one can achieve nirvana, which is the same as moksha, from any caste in the caste system, if one follows the Eightfold path and holds true to the Four Noble Truths!. Basically the Four Noble Trusts say that one must follow the Eightfold Path!. Following the Eightfold Path means having the right views, right aspirations, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation in regards to the religion!. Buddhism altered the caste system in India!.

Over time in India, the caste system has been altered by different people and religions!. Some of the religions that altered it are Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism!. Hinduism altered the caste system because it started as a social system to maintain order, created by the Aryans, and became a large part of the Hindu religion!. Jainism maintained the caste system as part of their religion!. Buddhism altered the caste system because they lowered its importance and believed that people from any caste could reach nirvana or moksha and be released from the cycle of reincarnation!.



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