u/Extra_Ambassador_855

I am trying to understand the foundations of the caste system, and the violence, discrimination, and exploitation that are accompanied with it.

Thinkers such as B. R. Ambedkar radically questioned the authority and authenticity of the Śāstras themselves, arguing that caste oppression is structurally embedded within them and that a new moral and social vision is therefore necessary.

At the same time, I wonder whether there could also be another approach: a way of understanding or interpreting the Śāstras that does not lead to caste-based violence or discrimination.

This seems to touch the heart of the debate between Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar. Gandhi sought to preserve reverence for the Hindu scriptural tradition while reinterpreting it ethically and spiritually, whereas Ambedkar argued that caste hierarchy could not truly be separated from the scriptural framework that sustained it.

So my question is:

Is it possible to retain respect for the Śāstras while completely rejecting caste discrimination and hierarchy?

What is a truly wisdom way to respond to emotions?

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what dependent origination teaches us how to respond to emotions.

Suppose we are in a toxic setting, which it is not easy to get out.

Suppose we don't even have acces to food regularly, only a very little, and not even every day.

Ofc, the craving in the body will be immense.

There is deep longing for food and nourishment. But it is barely available.

The only tools available might be a forced kind of dissociation meditation, to have some relief from the longing, like object focused samatha but, ofc that will not lead to improvement in the situation.

And the Buddha discovered that asceticm eventually does not lead to the cessation of suffering.

I am in this situation, of severe deprivation.

And my question how one respond to emotion from the point of real wisdom.

The longing triggers all kinds of imprints, how things should, right, wrong...
But even escaping will not improve my situation, I would be homeless and begging.

So maybe the question is what is the way out of severe poverty and deprivation without sacrificing (like doing a job you hate, just so you can eat, then being in my situation is easier for me).

I am not looking for pracitical advice, I want to hear about the roots of the path so that meditation and action can go together

A livelihood that is true to the teaching, and honours the suffering of severe poverty, offering a way out

I want to create a space (online?)

where there is real Buddhist philosophical discussion. The kind in the image of the Great Nālandā, where all traditions and different philosophies are part of the dialogue.

I entered the Buddhist path through studying philosophy and psychology at a Western university.
Nāgārjuna (with Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) is really the king of all kings for me.

I want to see a dharma that actually meets the suffering of society,
a dharma that truly offers hands to the least fortunate,
Not only hands but a path also.

Not a rigid institutionalized vinaya with imposed rules, but a vinaya that considers context and sees wisdom and dependent origination as its root.

I want to see a dharma where people truly go for refuge.
Not where they just go to pray for money or something to a god.

But where politicians, scientists, and elders admire and praise true wisdom

I wish to see real dialogue
rooted in wisdom
that leads to engaged action

I am now in bodhgaya, and I really don't see true engaged buddhism.
study, meditation and action should find a way to be one