What is hierarchy of Hinduism?

Answer 1

The practice of Hinduism, as in all world religions is constantly changing to globalization and cultural changes. Therefore, hierarchy in Hinduism can be described in theological and historical contexts. In the Hindu mythological pantheon the highest order is dominated by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Thereafter there are multiple manifestations of god, and at the lowest level you have demigods such as Hanuman. There is also Hindu hierarchy (not as common today) that involves the caste system stratifying citizens by into four primary classes.

Answer 2

In terms of a global hierachy of Buddhist Masters living today, there are many examples of cross-school recognition where the state of authority transcends conventional beaurocracy. The highest Buddist is the Mahavairocana Dharma King. The Dharma King's comprise the source of greatest insight in terms of what is to be understood. Every Dharma King is a living buddha.

Continuing further down the spectrum various titles and positions, these are given according to natural destiny i.e when a master is recognised as a reincarnation of a former figure at birth and is trained to occupy the same position. Then there are the titles to be held by accomplished practitioners according to their spiritual attainments and physical efforts gained through practice.

The Dalai and Panchen Lamas are just such examples of this and are commonly recognised by the public as figureheads of Tibetan Buddhism.

However this highlights an important differentiation between the outward heirachy of office or organisation and the inward heirachy of spiritual attainment. This will be too small a space to explain the workings of all the major schools and their methods of dividing responsibility, so i will focus of the latter.

Directly below the Dharma Kings and other Livings Buddhas are the Bodhisattvas, this level denotes a high level of spiritual awakening, unique to Buddhism as the final stage before total understanding of all and everything. The Bodhisattva is the exemplar figure of Mahayana Buddhism (a term i will touch on in a moment). Part of the Bodhisattva's vow is that they will not attain this final awakening until all living beings have entered it ahead of them. This is in my opinion a good example of the great depth of compassion required to hold this level of attainment.

The level of Arhat is connected to one who has attained the goal of Nirvana and is thus liberated from suffering in its gross forms. This is the level held by many accomplished Lamas and well-known teachers of Buddhism.

The first level of enlightenment is known in many schools as Vajra-Being. When a human being has purified enough Karma (sanskrit term for the cause and effect of our actions - physical and mental) he/she reaches a greater potential. Some would say greater destiny is to be looked forward to as they begin to have the ability to guide others accurately and have mastery over their own body. At all levels of enlightenment the persons in question will inevitably suffer no more physical illness from their own karmas and will experience reality to an ever increasing depth and profundity.

I mentioned earlier the term 'Mahayana Buddhism'. As well as the heirachy of individuals in modern Buddhism, there also exists a similar ladder in the varying approaches to Buddhist practice. Mahayana (sanskrit: Great Vehical) is the second of these.

The heirachy in this sense however is not as straight forward as one level being progressively greater than the other. All methods lead to the same goal, which is always enlightenment and thus the oppotunity of benefit all beings. So at each level it is understood that this is the final outcome, the difference is in the speed and nature of the result.

The first and oldest level is known universally as Hinayana (sanskrit: small vehical). The practitioners of a Hinayana School generally accept the Buddha's teaching as it was transmitted verbally and will practice their techniques in what they believe to be an original and unaltered state. This is why the most famous Hinayana school is named Theravada which translates as 'way of the elders.' Practitioners of this approach attain the level of 'Arhat' which i have briefly exlpained above as liberation from worldly suffering.

In general Hinayana Buddhism finds its strongest position within monastic communities and environments where once may devote all time and energy one-pointedly to the object of attention. Which is the principle method of cultivation, along with the observation of various rules that strengthen resolve and purify past, current and potential action.

As time, technology and circumstances changed, so too did the methods connected to Buddhist doctrine. The second flourishing of Buddha Dharma comes under the title Mahayana (Great Vehical). One famous school instantly recognisable at this level of practice is Zen (in Japanese) or Chan (Mandarin). Whereas the Hinayana view of the self recognised as a concept its inherant emptiness, Mahayana took this one step forward and applied to all all physical phenomina. In a sense, they acknowledge the whole of existence as being empty of an essence or a solid identifiable base. Through their cultivation of Zen and other disciplines the practitioners take the Bodhisattva as their goal and common example of good practice.

For a long time, the world community of lay practitioners (non-monks who use meditation to forward their worldly and spritual development) have benefitted from the many very good Zen masters who teach globally.

The third and final development of the faith is known as Vajrayana Buddhism (sanskrit: Indestructible Thunderbolt Vehical). It is indestructible in the sense that the result of practicing at this level connects the conciousness to that which cannot be destroyed, the nature of what 'is', beyond our ignorance and delusion. It is also described by the object 'thunderbolt' because across the whole spectrum of time, its results are relatively instantaneous. Practitoners of Vajrayana Buddhism ideally strive to attain Buddhahood within their lifetimes.

With the prerequisit that the potential exponent must find a qualified Guru with the means to eloquate the profound and often hidden meanings behind the verbal and written instructions.

A meditator who finds the right instruction and achieves the goal within one of these schools, thus attaining Buddhahood is known as a 'Siddha'.

Although both monastic and lay schools appear accross all levels of Buddhism it is historically accepted that Vajrayana can be practiced at any time, in any circumstance. Thus making it particually suiting to the fragmented western mind with the constant barrage of distractions that we find ourselves facing.

So when we discuss the idea of a heirachy in Buddhism, it is helpful to understand that the explanation will be very subjective depending on where we are viewing it from. Primarily because with the difference in approach a different kind of set up is required and whereas in all organisations, diplomacy and longevity of membership has its place; the importance is placed on the individuals insight. No less, their realization of ultimate reality as it appears to the awakened mind. Furthermore, as this is only possible through a mind that has wisdom, it is a sure and practical way to know if someone is fit for office.

This has been a short explanation of the hierachy of Buddhist levels of accomplishment and of the hierachy of Buddhist school categories.

Answer 3

the varna, that consisted of 4 groups, that stratified the Indian society.

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Answer 4

The Caste System of today goes "scheduled castes" "scheduled tribes" and "backward classes".

Answer 5

In Hinduism today the class system goes "scheduled castes" followed by "scheduled tribes" followed by "backwards classes"

Answer 6

No, It is A Autonomous Religion.

Answer 7

Hinduism is ranked the 3rd largest major religion.

Answer 8

caste system

Answer 9

It is ranked the 3rd in popular. But Christianity is firat