Making specific reference to passages in the Brahmana chapter of the Majjhima Nikaya, discuss the depiction of Buddhists relationship

with Mahasala Brahmins, Jatila Brahmins, and Non-Priestly Brahmins. In what ways does the Buddha uphold Brahmin privilege and values? In what ways does he denigrate them? [50%] 91: 93: Brahmins are just as human as any others in their actions, motivations and potentials; Fourfold caste system not universal among cultures; Buddha explains origin of the caste system and its refutation by Asita Devala 95: Experiential insight is the only true epistemology 96: Ethical behavior transcends social distinctions 98: Behavior/action that makes one a Brahmin 100: Buddha does not dispute existence of gods Need to honor caste for Brahmin patrons, financial omnivores

The term Brahmin designates an individual member of what is considered to be the highest ranking of the four varnas (castes) in the traditional Hindu society of fifth century India, usually a priest or scholar engaged in attaining a high level of spiritual knowledge through studying and accepting the authority of the Vedas.

The Majjhima Nikaya characterizes the brahmin as caste and . .Buddhist suttas themselves owe their repetitive cadence to this oral tradition deeply rooted in Hindu culture. In the Sangrava Sutta, the Buddha explicitly characterizes the brahmin caste as one firmly rooted in oral tradition. There are some recluses and brahmins who are traditionalists, who on the basis of oral tradition claim [to teach] the fundamentals of the holy life after having reached the consummation and perfection of direct knowledge here and now; such are brahmins of the Three Vedas. (820) In orderly to properly understand the Buddhas relationship with his brahmin contemporaries, it is important to define the appropriate historical context. The Hindu caste system of fifth century BCE India was hardly a fully-formed, rigid

social order. Instead, it was slow to take over the Indian subcontinent and only beginning to take shape, as the issue was heavily debated, and The Buddhas foremost challenge to brahminical privilege and values was an indirect, albeit strategic, critique of the brahmin thesis of inherent caste superiority, driven by a rational self-interest of strengthening the rigidity of the caste system and expanding its application in order to maintain a position of hegemonic domination. The brahmins, as a caste, were far from universal agreement on the issue of caste. Internal disagreements and debate persisted, as evidenced in the Vasetta Sutta. However, even given the Buddhas explicit rejection of the brahmin claim of caste superiority, the Buddha never fully renounced the concept of social stratification nor formally advocated for the abolition of the caste system as a whole. In other words, what the Buddha and his followers challenged was the caste systems hierarchy, but not the internal divisions themselves. This subtle affirmation of the caste structure was prompted by the need to balance justified criticism of the assertion of caste superiority with enough reverence for the caste system in order to appease brahmin patrons to ensure long-term financial sustainability for the fledgling religion, especially mahasala brahmins. Another example in which the Buddha implicitly upholds brahmin privilege and values is in relation to Vedic ritual. Contrary to the Buddhism This doesnt necessarily entail that the Buddha reserves any criticism whatsoever of the Vedas. His main argument was that knowledge of the Vedas is empty unless you experience them in a direct way. This direct experiential knowledge can be obtained through meditation, which he taught as a path to enlightenment to Brahmins.

Overall, the Buddhas denigration of brahminical privilege and values was overshadowed by his economically motivated need to honor

Need to honor caste system, specifically for mahasala Brahmin patrons, financial omnivore (strategic)

The Buddhas encounters with brahmins can be characterized as courteous

The Pali suttas are generally cordial but critical towards the brahmins. This is The Brahmana chapter of the Majjhima Nikaya provides a unique insight into the relationship between the Buddha, the central spiritual leader Within the context of the Brahmana chapter of the Majjhima Nikaya, the Sela Sutta provides us with the best depiction of the Buddhas interaction with a jatila Brahmin, alternatively known as matted-haired ascetic. The underlying message in the Sela Sutta is yet another one of inclusivity, underlying the importance of

The Blessed One is accomplished, fully enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, sublime, knower or worlds, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, enlightened, blessed. He declares this world with its gods, its Maras, and its Brahmas, this generation with its recluses and Brahmins, with its princes and its people, which he has himself realized with direct knowledge. He teaches the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, and he reveals a holy life that is utterly perfect and pure. 743 Buddhism defined as an offshoot of Hinduism Buddhism challenged the hierarchy of caste system, not the division itself Karma

If Buddha asked Brahmins to convert, not economically feasible, as money was tied to status as Brahmin, needed them to remain Brahmin Cordial exchange of views Brahmins typically accept the discipleship of Buddha at end of sutra Who did Buddhism attract? Expose of the intellectual discourse between Buddha and Brahmins in early Buddhism Spirit of sympathetic appreciation in early Buddhism, as evidenced by the relationship between early Buddhism and respect for Hinduism and Brahmin privilege Denigration of Brahmin privilege was overshadowed by its support Underlying economics Supports Vedic ritual

Uphold Brahmin privilege and values?

Did not explicitly renounce the caste system o Need to honor caste system, specifically for mahasala Brahmin patrons, financial omnivore (strategic) o Fair division of labor based on merit and equality Did not proclaim Vedas to be false, nor did he say not to study Vedas or perform morning/evening prayers Yajur veda school Karma

Buddha offers hymn of praise in Sela Sutta Not a denial of vedic ritual, supports it "Burnt offerings are the glory of fires

Denigrate Brahmins?
Buddha saw the Brahmin caste as equal to other castes Did not believe in caste discrimination

96: Ethical behavior transcends social distinctions

Buddha prioritizes meditation as a form of direct experiential knowledge that is great than memorization and nor understanding of the Vedas Knowledge of Vedas is empty unless you experience it in a direct way. When preaching to Brahmins, Buddha emphasized the importance of experiential knowledge through meditation. The assumption that religions necessarily be disjoint falsely imports the Western judeo-crhsitian framework of religious exclusivity and conservion. Buddha was critical of the intrinsic supremecy of the Brahmins Buddha affirmed hierarchy not of birth, but of spiritual maturity 93 Master Assalayana, this recluse Gotama describes purification for all the four castes. Let Master Assalayana come and dispute with the recluse Gotama about this assertion. For the training of a wanderer has been completed by Master Assalayana. 763 The implication here is that the young Brahmin is sufficiently versed in the Three Vedas, well trained in the mantras, and will therefore be victorious when disputing the assertion that purification is possible in all four castes. The young Brahmin repeatedly reiterates The recluse Gotama is one who speaks the Dhamma. Now those who speak the Dahmma are difficult to dispute with. I am not able to dispute with the recluse Gotama about this assertion. His reluctance to refute Buddhas assertion stems from his belief that the Buddhas rigidity in his teachings, expressed as the Dhamma, will prevent him from victory.. http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/ay/assalaayana.htm

Jatila Brahmins
92 Keniya shows great respect for Buddha Talk on the Dhamma

Mahasal Brahmins
In the Majjhima Nikaya, the depiction of Buddhas relationship with Mahasal Brahmins is evidenced in Sutta 95.

What are Brahmins? Mahsala Brahmins Jatila Brahmins Non-priestly Brahmins Mahasala Brahmin Upholds caste-system Breaking samara Buddha anybody at any level can achieve nirvana Sutra 95 Brahmin Canki ruling over Opasada, crown property abounding in living beings, rich in grasslands, woodlands, waterways, Arahunt: anyone whose has reached the total Awakening and attained Nirvana, including the Buddha

Five aggregates (khandhas)

Canki lived in the Brahmin village of Opasada, on royal fief granted him by Pasenadi (dynastic ruler and lay follower of Buddha)

Although the Buddha doesnt explicitly renounce the caste system, he doesnt uphold the brahmanical prescription of servitude within the caste system. He rejects the notion that caste is correlated to Critical of the fact that Brahmins prescribe the four levels of services without the

Servitude is independent of caste and is worthwhile if it serving another benefits one Service given to another has nothing to do with family and class, or looks, or wealth Same culpability if one is immoral, regardless of family and class, complexion or wealth Same virtuosity if they keep to the precepts I, Brahmin, declare the noble supramundane Dhamma as a persons own wealth. But recollecting his ancient maternal and paternal family lineage, he is reckoned according to wherever he is reborn. he is reckoned according to wherever he is reborn, reckoning is conditional upon caste Buddha immediately questions Esukari whether this view is universally accepted when he asks, Well, Brahmin, has all the world authorized the Brahmins to prescribe these four levels of service? to which Esukari asnwers no. Parable of the forced morsel: forcing expensive food on a poor man and insisting that he pays for it Everyone is capable of extricating ourselves from evil, not just the Brahmins

Any moral person is capable of spiritual liberation. Sutra 98 The Blessed One is accomplished, fully enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, sublime, knower of worlds, incomparable leader of perosns to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, enlightened, blessed. 798

Buddha: One is not a Brahmin by birth. Nor by birth a non-brahmin. By action is one a Brahmin, by action is one a non-brahmin. Disagreement between Vasettha and Bharadvaja on how is one a Brahmin Actions (Vasetta) vs. birth (Bharadvaja) Asceticism, the holy life, self-control and inner trainingby this one becomes a Brahmin, in this supereme brahminhood lies 807

91. Brahmayu Sutta: Brahmayu. An old and erudite brahmin learns about the Buddha, goes to meet him, and becomes his disciple.

92. Sela Sutta: To Sela. The brahmin Sela questions the Buddha, gains faith in him, and becomes a monk along with his company of pupils. If Jatila, dont let that stop you from giving money to Buddhism 93. Assalayana Sutta: To Assalayana. A young brahmin approaches the Buddha to argue the thesis that the brahmins are the highest caste. 94. Ghotamukha Sutta: To Ghotamukha. A discussion between a brahmin and a bhikkhu on whether the renunciate life accords with the Dhamma. 95. Canki Sutta: With Canki. The Buddha instructs a young brahmin on the preservation of truth, the discovery of truth, and the final arrival at truth. 96. Esukari Sutta: To Esukari. The Buddha and a brahmin discuss the brahmins' claim to superiority over the other castes. 97. Dhananjani Sutta: To Dhananjani. The venerable Sariputta admonishes a brahmin who tries to excuse his negligence by appeal to his many duties. Later, when he is close to death, Sariputta guides him to rebirth in the Brahma-world but is reprimanded by the Buddha for having done so. 98. Vasettha Sutta: To Vasettha. The Buddha resolves a dispute between two young brahmins on the qualities of a true brahmin. 99. Subha Sutta: To Subha. The Buddha answers a young brahmin's questions and teaches him the way to rebirth in the Brahma-world. 100. Sangarava Sutta: To Sangarava. A brahmin student questions the Buddha about the basis on which he teaches the fundamentals of the holy life.

Moving out to the larger Mahhjima Nikaya, describe the path to nirvana that is taught to Brahmins. Explain the doctrine of no-soul (antta) and its use in attaining liberation. To whom do you think this doctrine was preached? [20%] Brahmins threefold formula Insight and absorption to wisdom to nirvana

Four Noble Truths (no soul way) Dukkha Origin of dukkha Cessation of suffering Path leading to the cessation of suffering

Explain two ways that these two different visions of the path were reconciled in the Majjhima Nikaya. Finally, how was the matter settled in Abhidharma literature? [30%]

Purify mind through janas