01-18-2006, 07:58 AM
Interesting case of the "pot calling the kettle black"! Sandhya Jain claims
untouchability has originated from Islamic and Christian invasions to India ;-)
Consider the account of Fa hsein, a Chinese traveller in 4th-5th century CE:
"Throughout the whole country the people do not kill any living creature, nor
drink intoxicating liquor, nor eat only onions or garlic. The only exception is
that of the Chandalas, That is the name of those who are (held to be) wicked
men, and live apart from others. When they enter the gate of a city or market
place, they strike a piece of wood to make themselves known, so that men know
and avoid them, and do not come into contact with them. In that country they do
not keep pigs and fowl, and do not sell live cattle; in the markets there are no
butchers' shops and no dealers in intoxicating drink. In buying and selling
commodities, they use cowries. Only the Chandalas are fishermen and hutners, and
sell flesh meat." - Chapter XVI, "Mathura: Conditions and Customs of Central
India", Title: A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, Author: Fa Hsein, pg 53.
AND WHERE DOES THIS UNTOUCHABILITY OF THE CHANDALAS COME FROM:
Manusmriti - Chapter 10:
http://www.hindubooks.org/scriptures/manus.../ch10_51_55.htm
(The above URL hosting a translation of Manusmriti is, not surprisingly, a
Hindutva website).
51. But the dwellings of Kandala and Svapaka shall be outside the village, they
must be made Apapatras, and their wealth (shall be) dogs and donkeys.
52. Their dress (shall be) the garments of the dead, (they shall eat) their
food from broken dishes, black iron (shall be) their ornaments, and they must
always wander from place to place.
53. A man who fulfils a religious duty, shall not seek intercourse with them;
their transactions (shall be) among themselves, and their marriages with their
equals.
54. Their food shall be given to them by others (than an Aryan giver) in a
broken dish; at night they shall not walk about in villages and in towns.
55. By day they may go about for the purpose of their work, distinguished by
marks at the king's command, and they shall carry out the corpses (of persons)
who have no relatives; that is a settled rule.
Both Manusmriti and Fa Hsein's travels date back to an era when Islam and
Christianity were absent in India.
untouchability has originated from Islamic and Christian invasions to India ;-)
Consider the account of Fa hsein, a Chinese traveller in 4th-5th century CE:
"Throughout the whole country the people do not kill any living creature, nor
drink intoxicating liquor, nor eat only onions or garlic. The only exception is
that of the Chandalas, That is the name of those who are (held to be) wicked
men, and live apart from others. When they enter the gate of a city or market
place, they strike a piece of wood to make themselves known, so that men know
and avoid them, and do not come into contact with them. In that country they do
not keep pigs and fowl, and do not sell live cattle; in the markets there are no
butchers' shops and no dealers in intoxicating drink. In buying and selling
commodities, they use cowries. Only the Chandalas are fishermen and hutners, and
sell flesh meat." - Chapter XVI, "Mathura: Conditions and Customs of Central
India", Title: A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, Author: Fa Hsein, pg 53.
AND WHERE DOES THIS UNTOUCHABILITY OF THE CHANDALAS COME FROM:
Manusmriti - Chapter 10:
http://www.hindubooks.org/scriptures/manus.../ch10_51_55.htm
(The above URL hosting a translation of Manusmriti is, not surprisingly, a
Hindutva website).
51. But the dwellings of Kandala and Svapaka shall be outside the village, they
must be made Apapatras, and their wealth (shall be) dogs and donkeys.
52. Their dress (shall be) the garments of the dead, (they shall eat) their
food from broken dishes, black iron (shall be) their ornaments, and they must
always wander from place to place.
53. A man who fulfils a religious duty, shall not seek intercourse with them;
their transactions (shall be) among themselves, and their marriages with their
equals.
54. Their food shall be given to them by others (than an Aryan giver) in a
broken dish; at night they shall not walk about in villages and in towns.
55. By day they may go about for the purpose of their work, distinguished by
marks at the king's command, and they shall carry out the corpses (of persons)
who have no relatives; that is a settled rule.
Both Manusmriti and Fa Hsein's travels date back to an era when Islam and
Christianity were absent in India.