Caste System In Sidhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama, whose name perfectly sums up his life, which is the “one who has achieved his goal” was born to a wealthy, warrior-caste (Kshatriya) family. Siddhartha was born in modern day Nepal, around 563 B.C.E (although greatly debated). Siddhartha's birth and upbringing made him destined to emerge as great warrior, resembling that of his ancestors, however little did they know, that Siddhartha would grow up to become the founder of one of the world's most prominent religions. Siddhartha's upbringing did not resemble that of the classes that he would later on inspire with his message of inclusivity. He however, was born to a family with an abundance of wealth and a set of ideals which had its basis on a rigid caste system, which he would later on oppose. Siddhartha was born during a critical time of South Asian history, as it was evident that people were growing tired of the immensely restrictive ideals of the brahmanical rule.

This notion of the growing disenchantment with the vedic rule was greatly amplified in Siddhartha’s mission to find an end for suffering. As it is evident that the perception of suffering is greatly amplified under a rigid vedic caste system. Suffering is made immensely more clear under a system, in which the poor are barred from ascending that hierarchical system. Not only that but, the notion of rituals and mainly

He was directly involved in the rise and expansion of buddhism during that time. “According to rock edict no.13, Asoka was moved to remorse and pity over the horrors he inflicted on the kalingans; the slaughter, death by disease… all these events lead to his conversion” The conversion of Ashoka due to his witnessing of suffering, inforced the idea that buddhism was in fact a more merciful religion. Ashoka’s humane reign which was directly influenced by the buddhist teachings which has shaped the governing power of that time. According to Romila