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Log inOn the allegations of brahmins denying others the knowledge in Sanskrit and Vedas and the entry in temples
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On the allegations of brahmins denying others the knowledge in Sanskrit and Vedas and the entry in temples
by Seva Lamberdar Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:54 am
First of all, there was nothing on the part of brahmins to deny education (learning of Sanskrit and Vedas) to anyone. People in other castes did not go for such education and training (needed to become brahmin) on their own, because it was tedious, lengthy and time consuming process and there was no significant financial advantage afterwards -- as also indicated in a report by Lord Macaulay more than 150 years ago (included in "Macaulay report refutes the caste basis for quotas" -- http://creative.sulekha.com/macaulay-report-refutes-the-caste-basis-for-quotas_591797_blog )
Secondly, there was no universal ban on dalits / sudra to enter and pray in Hindu temples. Many temples would allow everyone (including Sudra) to enter and pray, whereas some temples did not. Thus it is wrong to generalize about the ban. The simple fact is that temples are a private property and they are maintained and run as such. Moreover, everyone in Hinduism (including Sudra) is free to have his own temple and pray in it. So, it makes little sense to say that Hinduism bans Sudra / Dalit to enter and pray in temples. Regarding people / visitors sometimes not allowed in the inner sections of Hindu temples (including temple kitchens etc.), that is more for the sake of maintaining cleanliness etc. and to avoid contamination from outside in the crucial sections of temple. The Hindu temples, unlike other places of worship, also have provisions for "prasadam" etc. (holy / sacred food) which needs to be protected from outside contamination and potentially becoming harmful to its partakers. Naturally, one way to achieve this goal (maintaining proper cleanliness and hygiene and avoiding contamination) is to limit the number of people entering the inner sections of temple (including the temple kitchen etc.), especially keeping those out who might not have bathed and cleaned themselves properly.
(Posted as a comment in the blog "Brahmin Suppression?" -- http://creative.sulekha.com/brahmin-suppression_146282_blog?c=2393859#2393859)
Secondly, there was no universal ban on dalits / sudra to enter and pray in Hindu temples. Many temples would allow everyone (including Sudra) to enter and pray, whereas some temples did not. Thus it is wrong to generalize about the ban. The simple fact is that temples are a private property and they are maintained and run as such. Moreover, everyone in Hinduism (including Sudra) is free to have his own temple and pray in it. So, it makes little sense to say that Hinduism bans Sudra / Dalit to enter and pray in temples. Regarding people / visitors sometimes not allowed in the inner sections of Hindu temples (including temple kitchens etc.), that is more for the sake of maintaining cleanliness etc. and to avoid contamination from outside in the crucial sections of temple. The Hindu temples, unlike other places of worship, also have provisions for "prasadam" etc. (holy / sacred food) which needs to be protected from outside contamination and potentially becoming harmful to its partakers. Naturally, one way to achieve this goal (maintaining proper cleanliness and hygiene and avoiding contamination) is to limit the number of people entering the inner sections of temple (including the temple kitchen etc.), especially keeping those out who might not have bathed and cleaned themselves properly.
(Posted as a comment in the blog "Brahmin Suppression?" -- http://creative.sulekha.com/brahmin-suppression_146282_blog?c=2393859#2393859)
Seva Lamberdar- Posts : 6572
Join date : 2012-11-29 -
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