Significance of Corporal punishment
Corporal punishment encompasses various interpretations across religious and cultural contexts. In Jainism, it involves enduring physical harm without sinful thoughts. South Asian perspectives note its absence in favor of fines, while Vaishnavism cites instances like subduing Kaliya. Historical texts, such as Dharmashastra, detail corporal punishment as a penalty for crime, often severe and caste-sensitive. Punishments aimed at maintaining social order are discussed alongside educational contexts in India. Overall, corporal punishment serves as a disciplinary method amidst differing societal ideals.
Synonyms: Physical discipline, Physical punishment, Chastisement, Flogging, Beating
In Dutch: Lichamelijke straf; In Finnish: Ruumiillinen rangaistus; In Spanish: Castigo corporal; In German: K枚rperliche Z眉chtigung; In Malay: Hukuman badan; In Swedish: Kroppsstraff; In French: Ch芒timents corporels
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Corporal punishment'
Corporal punishment in Hinduism encompasses various forms of physical penalties, particularly severe for lower castes, with specific exemptions for Brahmanas, reflecting a complex interplay of discipline, social status, and legal consequences within the caste system.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Severe forms of punishment, such as imprisonment, imposed on those who export prohibited items with the intent to profit.[1] (2) Physical punishment as a means of repressing crime, necessary according to the Scriptures for the rule of law.[2] (3) A physical form of punishment that can be imposed as a result of one's actions, specifically mentioned in connection with legal consequences.[3] (4) Physical punishment inflicted on a Shudra for abusing others, as stated in the text.[4] (5) Physical punishment that may be applied in cases of adultery; however, exemptions are made for the wives of minstrels and play-actors due to the nature of their husbands' permissions.[5]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) A form of physical punishment that shall be inflicted for adultery, but specifically exempted for the wives of certain castes.[6] (2) A form of physical punishment that is forbidden for a Brahmana, indicating their high social and spiritual status.[7]
From: Gautama Dharmasutra
(1) Physical punishment inflicted on the body of an individual, as a form of discipline for wrongdoing, often associated with legal penalties in the context of the text.[8] (2) The rule that generally prohibits physical punishment for pupils, with exceptions for necessary corrections.[9]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) Physical punishment; noted as an exception in the methods of reducing wrongdoers to reason.[10]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Penalties inflicted on subjects, which should be proportional to the offense and based on the situation.[11]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The physical discipline administered to Kaliya as a means to subdue him.[12]
Jain concept of 'Corporal punishment'
In Jainism, corporal punishment signifies the physical suffering endured by monks, who must maintain purity of thought, as well as the methods employed when addressing wrongdoings among individuals, emphasizing non-violence and self-restraint.
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) Physical harm that a monk may suffer and must learn to endure without harboring sinful thoughts.[13]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The approach taken when dealing with transgressions among the twins.[14]
The concept of Corporal punishment in local and regional sources
Corporal punishment is defined as physical punishment for offenders, which is reportedly absent in the described society, where kings prefer alternatives like fines, and it is often associated with disciplinary actions in educational contexts.
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Physical punishment inflicted on an offender; noted as non-existent in the society described, with other forms of punishment imposed instead.[15]
From: The travels of Fa-Hian (400 A.D.)
(1) A method of punishment that kings avoid; they have alternative methods such as fines.[16]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A disciplinary action that involves physical punishment, often used in educational settings.[17]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This refers to the physical punishment that women are exempt from, regardless of their caste, in Hindu society, with alternative forms of punishment like public humiliation.[18]