Avantika Sunderlal-Week 3


I have summarized chapter 2 and chapter 5 of the text that discusses Buddhism and feminist reformists. Buddhism is a welfare religion- "Bhaujan Sukaya, Bahujan hitaya" both Buddhism and the feminists discussed in the following chapters, criticize Hinduism for perpetuating caste.
Caste is essential to Hinduism and is a projection of Brahmanic ideas. Buddha had different views as to who is a Brahmin and how people from high castes are supposed to act. For example- He says that one qualifies as a Brahmin not only by his birth but by his/her deeds. In his opinion rulers should be righteous, and provide for his subjects- follow the wheel of dhama. Buddhism as a religion is opposed to caste. On the other hand Brahmins believe that they are supreme by virtue of being born a Brahmin and the main duty of rulers is to enforce sanctions on people of lower castes. Buddhism put forth this idea of equality, as even lay persons could attain Nirvana, it wasn't something that only Brahmins had the privileged of attaining. One can understand why Ambedkar converted to Buddhism, as the very principles of Buddhism focus on different aspects like fair wage and fair treatment which is refreshing to see as opposed to Hinduism. 
Chapter 5 is a response by Phule, on attacks against two women: Tarabai Shinde and Pandita Ramabai. Pandita Ramabai founded the Arya Mahila Samaj in Pune, after which she went to England and converted to Christianity. She was condemned by Brahmins who used to sponsor her efforts for converting her religion. Pandita Ramabai criticised the Manusmriti and other religious Sanskrit texts for it’s hateful sentiment about women. As per our Dharma Shastras women are worse than demons and could not attain Moksha. She set up a feminist community where women from different castes could reside called ‘Sharda Saran” . Tarabai had written a hard-hitting letter on Hindu Patriarchy, comparing Women and Men. She discussed the debate on widows and the issues they faced due to the pattern of life that society had enforced on them. Savitribai was  "a happily married feminist woman", she used to teach Dalit boys and girls in a school that Phule formed. She endured the abuse by Brahmin women as on her way to work they would hurl abuses and throw dung at her.
Caste continues to plague society, hampering economic and social progress. The lives of these reformists are an eye opener and help understand and analyse caste as it exists today!

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