Question map
The dialogue on Varna between king Avantiputta and Kachchana, a disciple of Buddha, appears in which one of the following Buddhist texts?
Explanation
The dialogue on Varna between King Avantiputta of Madhura and Kachchana, a prominent disciple of the Buddha, is found in the Majjhima Nikaya. This specific discourse is known as the Madhura Sutta. In this dialogue, Kachchana argues against the Brahmanical claim of superiority based on birth, asserting that all four varnas are equal. He demonstrates that wealth, rather than caste, determines social power, as a wealthy Shudra could have members of other varnas serving him. The Majjhima Nikaya is one of the five Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka, which contains the middle-length discourses of the Buddha and his disciples [1]. This text is a crucial source for understanding the early Buddhist critique of the varna system and its emphasis on ethical conduct over hereditary status.
Sources
- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Literature > p. 42