Question 1-
What is the role of women in Indian culture? What elements of Hindu teachings relate to the role and worth of women in Indian society? How do Western society and Western religious traditions compare or contrast in its treatment of women?
Second part
Question 2-
This might be a nuanced question, but after reading the book and the lecture regarding the caste system please consider the following: India is a country with many, many people. The images of India that see in the West usually include the reality of desperate poverty in which many Indians live. Many of those in such poverty belong to the group of Outcastes (a very large group referred to Dalits). They do the work in society that is ritually polluting (handling animal carcasses, tending the cremation fires, etc.); the higher castes do not always consider them Hindus. What is it about Indian society and Indian beliefs that we have studied that allow for such abject poverty? While groups have tried to bring types of economic justice to India, why is it that the general attitude towards the poor is not one of trying to make society more just? What Hindu religious teachings might support the idea that the poor do not need help?
the book link if needed
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