Birth Dictates Caste: Exclusion of Non-Indian Followers
Traditionally, Hinduism does not include non-Indian followers in the system of varnas, as it is defined by birth into a particular caste rather than by the adoption of faith. In other words, according to the cited material, the responsibility for belonging to a certain varna lies with one's karma and birth, not with converting to a religion. In particular, the second source states:"Later, based on the division of society into varnas, a caste system emerged – the most important characteristic feature of Hinduism. Note that gurus of various traditions descended from the Vedic tradition, up until the second half of the 20th century, considered conversion to Hinduism impossible: one can only be born into a particular caste as a Hindu in accordance with one's karma." (source: link txt, page: 8)Thus, since non-Indian followers by their very nature are not born into the Indian socio-religious context, they were not included in the traditional division into varnas. This means that within the framework of the classical varna system, no separate place was provided for them, and they were not accepted as full participants in the varna hierarchy.