ABSTACT

The purposes of this thesis were : (1) to study the concept and the background of the four castes in the Brahmanism-Hindu, (2) to study the doctrine about four castes and (3) to analyze study of four castes according to Theravada Buddhism views. The study is qualitative and focuses on a study from documentaries, such as the Tipitฺaka Commentary, documents and other studies.

The results of study were found that: in Brahmanism-Hindu, the caste system is a very important of people in social structure on all living.  The four castes are born from the influence of the Brahmanism-Hindu, dividing human to four levels, Brahman, king, salesman and laborer on the purposes of the God. The Dhamma principle leading into the kingdom of the God must have four hermitages and practice it then until reaching the final goal of life.

According to Theravada Buddhism, human beings are born with the potentiality to develop the life of themselves and to change themselves, if they properly educated and developed from the status of common people to that of Noble people. The teaching of four castes according to Theravada Buddhism views explained and taught the human having the right knowledge and the understanding in Kamma, result of Karma, removing Kamma and the method of dissolution of Kamma. The human’s virtues and vices did not depend on his/her birth, wealth or castes but depended on his/her conduct.

In conclusion, Theravada Buddhism focused on the equality of human by pointing to the importance of knowledge and good conduct. One endowed with knowledge and good conduct is excellent among divine and human being.