What are the main Hindu communities?

Answer 1

VARNAS AND COMMUNITIES

Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra are not communities. They are just lifestyles to be used under varying conditions. The distinguishing factor of a Varna is the gap between the Positive (achievement) attitude and Negative (satisfaction) attitude. Lesser this gap higher is the Varna. It has nothing to do with occupations, as popularly believed.

THE FOUR VARNAS

1. Brahmana Varna - In this Positive and Negative attitudes are merged, making life eternal.

Brahmana Varna is suited for ideal conditions of life only.

2. Kshatriya Varna - In this Positive and Negative attitudes are distinctly separated , making life flexible.

Kshatriya Varna is suited for normal conditions of life

3. Vaishya Varna - In this there is just the Positive attitude. This makes a Vaishya maintain minimum standards of life. Absence of Negative attitude indicates that normal life is short lived and we have to achieve more to face the chaotic life in the future.

Vaishya Varna is meant of tolerable living conditions

4. Shudra Varna - In this Varnas there are no attitudes or they are widely separated. Thus, all activities are short lived and independent of each other

Shudra Varna is meant of chaotic living conditions

VARNAS AND OCCUPATIONS

Varnas have nothing to do with occupations. However, a Varna many be more suitable than other Varnas for an occupation, making people of an occupation use a particular Varna.

However, change of occupation wouldn't change the Varna. We can use any Varna for any occupation.

HINDU COMMUNITIES

The word community is a vague term when used in relation to Hinduism.

All Brahmins can be considered to belong to the same community. They may be divided into Vaishnavas, Smarthas, Madhwas, etc.

People of the same caste from different regions may be considered to belong to different communities.