1. Caste

2. Hindus are born into a caste

3. People cannot change castes unless moving down because of a dharma violation

4. Castes represent spiritual purity

5. Castes often determines your occupation

6. Impact of caste. Marriage within your sub-caste Food restrictions Lack of incentive to improve Sense of superiority & inferiority Strong desire to follow the rules

7. Caste is weakening in the cities

8. - Do not know all people - Jobs are changing (i.e. factories) - People are gaining more education - Transportation allows people to live further away from where they work - Restaurants causes people to eat food beyond what they traditionally eat

9. Why people like caste Ends competition- no need to better self Comfortable to know place Carries on arts and crafts— skilled people stay where they were Marriage and jobs are set- big decisions of the life are easy. Marriage and jobs are set- big decisions of the life are easy.

10. Caste rules are spelled out in the Code of Manu (2000 B.C.E.) It explains proper way to wash, brush teeth, dress, sit, recline. Also specifies laws of inheritance, religious customs, rituals foods and ways of purification.

11. Castes have caused tension in the past

12. Untouchables -- also called Dalits lowest caste outcasts darker skin color; handle the deceased, street sweepers, beggars must walk on the other side of the road and not let their shadow fall on a Brahman; cannot take water from public wells.

13. Brahman – Priests 6% Kshatryas – Warriors & rulers 10% Vaisyas – Skilled traders, merchants, & minor officials 20% Sudras – unskilled workers 50% Pariahs – Dalits, “untouchables,” handle the deceased, street sweepers, beggars 15%