Question

This story, based on a Buddhist text in Pali known as the Majjhima Nikaya, is part of a dialogue between a king named Avantiputta and a disciple of the Buddha named Kachchana. While it may not be literally true, it reveals Buddhist attitudes towards varna. Avantiputta asked Kachchana what he thought about Brahmanas who held that they were the best caste and that all other castes were low; that Brahmanas were a fair caste while all other castes were dark; that only Brahmanas were pure, not non-Brahmanas; that Brahmanas were sons of Brahma, born of his mouth, born of Brahma, formed by Brahma, heirs to Brahma. Kachchana replied: “What if a Shudra were wealthy … would another Shudra …or a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya … speak politely to him?” Avantiputta replied that if a Shudra had wealth or corn or gold or silver, he could have as his obedient servant another Shudra to get up earlier than he, to go to rest later, to carry out his orders, to speak politely; or he could even have a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya as his obedient servant. Kachchana asked: “This being so, are not these four varnas exactly the same?” Avantiputta conceded that there was no difference amongst the varnas on this count.

Read Avantiputta’s first statement again. What are the ideas in it that are derived from Brahmanical texts/traditions? Can you identify the source of any of these? What, according to this text, explains social difference?

Answer 1

1. The ideas that are derived from Brahmanical texts/traditions are as follows:
   1. Caste Hierarchy: Brahmanas are the highest caste; all other varnas are inherently low.
   2. Racial/Color Superiority: Brahmanas are naturally fair, while all other castes are dark.
   3. Inherent Purity: Only Brahmanas are pure, while non-Brahmanas are fundamentally impure.
   4. Divine Origin: Brahmanas are born directly from the mouth of Brahma, making them his true heirs.
2. The source of these Brahmanical ideas is as follows:
   1. The Rigveda: The idea of emerging from Brahma’s mouth comes from the Purusha Sukta hymn.
   2. Dharmashastras: Norms about purity and caste ranking are codified in texts like the Manusmriti.
3. According to the text, social difference means:
   1. Economic Wealth: Differences are driven by wealth, gold, silver, and agricultural property.
   2. Material Power: Money determines who commands obedience, not birth or divine favor.
   3. Fluid Status: A wealthy Shudra can employ an impoverished Brahmana or Kshatriya as a servant.
   4. Universal Equality: All four varnas are practically the same when economic status is equalised.