Dalits in Early Buddhism

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About the Book This work deals with detailed information of Dalits during early Buddhism. For complete evaluation of the origin of untouchability and its place, the reaction of Buddhist religion against it and the historical role of Buddhist religion, the academic support has been taken from the scriptures of several Indian and foreign authors, social scientists and investigators. Weaved into comprehensive nine chapters along with a Bibliography, liberalising influence of the Buddhist revolt and of Vaishnava compassion led the Brahmins to devise ways and means of assuring spiritual betterment to the Sudra in the Brahminic way of rites and sacraments.

It is a useful book for social scientists and students interested in various phases of Dalits and early Buddhism.

About the Author Dr. Paramanshi Jaideva is a well-known historian and scholar of Pali language. She is the co-author of an eleven volumes Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India.

Preface The rules and regulations governing social life and individual conduct differed according to the orders in society, only the four 'varnas being taken into account by the law-givers. The origin of these four classes in most of the later works with slight variations and interpretative additions. The pre-eminence of the Brahmin had secured him numerous social privileges. According to Gantama, all varnas must serve their superiors; which meant that the Brahmin, as the most superior among the vamas, was entitled to the services of the others.

The theme has been weaved into ten comprehensive chapters, along with a bibliography have deep bearing on ancient caste system, socio-economic position of Sudras in the society, the effectiveness of Brahmanism and Buddhism in the life of Sudras, the general concept of untouchability before the advent of Buddhism, untouchable as mentioned and elaborated in the Pali text and the plan, programme, efforts and the success achieved by Buddhist religion in connection with the abolition of untouchability. The last Chapter on evaluation and conclusion deal with the liberalising influence of the Buddhist revolt and of Vaishnava compassion leading the Brahmins to devise ways and means of assuring spiritual betterment to the Sudra in the Brahminic ways of rites and sacraments. It is evident that the performance of the Brahminic rites and sacraments by a large section of the people had a selfish interest for the Brahmin, which he could not have entirely lost sight off. In fact the religious rites and sacraments required the services of a Brahmin. If the Sudras wanted to perform the Brahmanic rites and sacraments. They would invariably have to requisition the services of a Brahmin.

The present study analyses the general beliefs of the Buddha who unquestionably was a great social reformer for all human beings and that his efforts for the emancipation of women and lower castes created a sort of social revolution in Indian society.

**Contents and Sample Pages**