Difference between revisions of "Brahman"
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| − | Brahmans (brāhmaṇa) are the hereditary priests of Hinduism and occupy the highest position in the caste system. The Manusmṛti, the classical text on Hundu law, says: ‘By his birth alone a brahman is a god even to the gods, and his teachings are authoritative for humans because it comes from the Vedas. ‘ At the time of the Buddha brahmans had a reputation for greed, arrogance and worldliness, which was in contrast to the high values they espoused. | + | [[Brahmans]] (brāhmaṇa) are the hereditary {{Wiki|priests}} of [[Hinduism]] and occupy the [[highest]] position in the {{Wiki|caste system}}. The {{Wiki|Manusmṛti}}, the classical text on Hundu law, says: ‘By his [[birth]] alone a [[brahman]] is a [[god]] even to the [[gods]], and his teachings are authoritative for [[humans]] because it comes from the [[Vedas]]. ‘ At the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] [[brahmans]] had a reputation for [[greed]], [[arrogance]] and worldliness, which was in contrast to the high values they espoused. |
| − | The Buddha criticised the | + | The [[Buddha]] criticised the [[brahmans]]’ demand for honour and precedence simply because they were born [[brahmans]] and said that anyone – high [[caste]] or not – was [[worthy]] of [[respect]] if they were [[virtuous]]. This, the [[Buddha]] said, made one a {{Wiki|real}} [[brahman]]: ‘Whoever is friendly amidst the {{Wiki|hostile}}, [[peaceful]] amidst the violent, content amidst the [[clinging]], him I call a true [[brahman]]. He, whose [[passion]] and [[hatred]], {{Wiki|pride}} and [[hypocrisy]] have just fallen away like a mustard seed on a needle point, him I call a true [[brahman]]. |
| − | Whoever speaks words that are gentle, informative, pleasant and offensive to none, him I call a true brahman.’ (Dhp.406-8). Because he threatened their high position, many brahmans were bitter opponents of the Buddha. On the other hand, because they were also often well-educated and intelligent, a good number of brahmans converted to Buddhism both during the Buddha’s time and in the following centuries. | + | Whoever speaks words that are gentle, informative, [[pleasant]] and [[offensive]] to none, him I call a true [[brahman]].’ (Dhp.406-8). Because he threatened their high position, many [[brahmans]] were [[bitter]] opponents of the [[Buddha]]. On the other hand, because they were also often well-educated and {{Wiki|intelligent}}, a good number of [[brahmans]] converted to [[Buddhism]] both during the [[Buddha’s]] [[time]] and in the following centuries. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=51 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=51 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:India]] | [[Category:India]] | ||
Revision as of 20:48, 19 September 2013
Brahmans (brāhmaṇa) are the hereditary priests of Hinduism and occupy the highest position in the caste system. The Manusmṛti, the classical text on Hundu law, says: ‘By his birth alone a brahman is a god even to the gods, and his teachings are authoritative for humans because it comes from the Vedas. ‘ At the time of the Buddha brahmans had a reputation for greed, arrogance and worldliness, which was in contrast to the high values they espoused.
The Buddha criticised the brahmans’ demand for honour and precedence simply because they were born brahmans and said that anyone – high caste or not – was worthy of respect if they were virtuous. This, the Buddha said, made one a real brahman: ‘Whoever is friendly amidst the hostile, peaceful amidst the violent, content amidst the clinging, him I call a true brahman. He, whose passion and hatred, pride and hypocrisy have just fallen away like a mustard seed on a needle point, him I call a true brahman.
Whoever speaks words that are gentle, informative, pleasant and offensive to none, him I call a true brahman.’ (Dhp.406-8). Because he threatened their high position, many brahmans were bitter opponents of the Buddha. On the other hand, because they were also often well-educated and intelligent, a good number of brahmans converted to Buddhism both during the Buddha’s time and in the following centuries.
