question_answer 13)

In what way was the system of ashramas different from life in the sangha? What are the varnas mentioned here? Were all four varnas allowed to participate in the system of ashramas?  

Answer:

The system of Ashramas : Around the time when Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular, brahmins developed the system of ashramas. Here, the word ashrama does not mean a place where people live and meditate. It is used instead for a stage of life. Four ashramas were recognised: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprasttw and samnyasa. Brahmin, kshatriya and vaishya men were expected to lead simple lives and study the Vedas during the early years of their life (brahmacharya). Then they had to marry and live as householders (grihastha). They they had to live in the forest and meditate (uanaprastha). Finally, they had to give up everything and become samnyasins. The system of ashramas allowed men to spend some part of their lives in meditation. Generally, women were hot allowed to study the Vedas, and they had to follow the ashramas chosen by their husbands.