Caste System in Jainism

Category: Religion

Jainism divides mankind into a caste system which is further divided into numerous sub-castes (Jatis). All sorts of beings belong to Jainism, but it does not mean that they are equal in their status. All Jivas are divided into four levels of existence; Gods, human beings, animals and beings in hell. Each one of them has a number of classes which are precisely distinguished from one another, and the individual classes are further divided into sub-classes. The uppermost three castes are called ‘twice-born’ because their males experience a second, spiritual birth by a special consecration in which they are encircled by a holy thread. The castes of Brahmins or the priests, Kshatriyas or the warriors and Vaishyas or the businessmen are the ‘twice-born’.