Brahmanism

Brahmanism is an early form of Hinduism which developed its worship and philosophy from the Vedas. Over years, the more tolerant and socially mobile system of Hindu society was pressurised into a rigid caste system and the more liberal mystic Vedism was reduced to a complex sacerdotalism. Brahmanism, which is called "proto-Hinduism" by some, soon saw the traditionally elevated Brahmin caste as hereditary clergy.

Related Topics:
Hinduism - Veda - Caste - Sacerdotalism - Brahmin - Hereditary - Clergy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a member of the Hindu priestly caste. The word is related to but not to be confused with Hindu religious conception of the transcendent and immanent super soul, "Brahman".

Related Topics:
Brahman - Hindu - Priest - Caste - Transcendent - Immanent - Super soul

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The word Brahmin literally means One who has realised or attempts to realise Brahman. According to the Purusha Sukta, the lyric sung to the glory of Vishnu, Brahmins are said to have come from the mouth of the Purusha.

Related Topics:
Purusha Sukta - Lyric - Vishnu - Mouth - Purusha

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was only around three thousand years ago, with the advent of a group of thinkers who expounded on early Vedic monist and mystic leanings within the Vedas to produce the Upanishads that Brahminism saw challenges from schools of thought that came to form Classical Hinduism, otherwise seen as the six schools of Hindu or Vedic philosophy.

Related Topics:
Three thousand years ago - Monist - Mystic - Veda - Upanishads - Hindu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Vedic line, which saw its nascence with the Aryan Brahminic schools, progressed into the Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Vedanta and Yoga schools, drawing from the rich Vedic canon of symbolism, philosophy theology and cosmology, as well as retaining Vedic gods or melding them with non-Vedic figures to create composites, like Shiva and Vishnu. The Purva Mimamsa school is the closest, albeit reformed, version of early Brahminism which sought to retain a puritan Vedic ritual and philosophical system, keeping alive such practices as the homa / fire ritual and worship of ancient Vedic gods like Indra, Agni and Varuna.

Related Topics:
Samkhya - Nyaya - Vaisheshika - Vedanta - Yoga - Symbolism - Philosophy - Theology - Cosmology - Gods - Shiva - Vishnu - Purva Mimamsa - Homa - Indra - Agni - Varuna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some scholars, like Romila Thapar, would argue a discontinuance between Brahminism and later schools of Hinduism, but the retaining of the Vedas and Upanishads as spiritual fountainheads, the continuance of many customs and beliefs, and the acceptance of Vedic authority by later Hindus attest to an unbroken legacy that goes back over 4,000 years.

Related Topics:
Romila Thapar - Hinduism - Vedas - Upanishads

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to the Vishnusmriti (2-1.17)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:"A Brahmin teaches the Veda… A Brahmin sacrifices for others, and receives alms… Duties common to all castes are… reverence towards gods and Brahmins.

Related Topics:
Veda - Sacrifices - Alm - Duties - Reverence - Gods

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~