Buddhism FAQ7 Racism&Caste

=Racism and Caste=

When asked by a high caste born (Brahman) Vasettha whether a human being is high by birth or by deeds, Buddha replied :

7. 'I will explain to you, O Vasettha,'--so said Bhagava(Lord Buddha) ,--'in due order the exact distinction of living beings according to species, for their species are manifold. (605)

8. 'Know you, that the grass and the trees, although they do not exhibit (it), the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (606)

9. 'Then (know you that) the worms, and the moths, and the different sorts of ants, the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (607)

10. 'Know you, also the four-footed (animals), small and great, the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (608)

11. 'Know you, also the serpents, the long-backed snakes, the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (609)

12. 'Then know you also the fish which range in the water, the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (610)

13. 'Then know you also the birds that are borne along on wings and move through the air, the marks that constitute species are for them, and (their) species are manifold. (611)

14. 'As in these species the marks that constitute species are abundant, so in men the marks that constitute species are not abundant. (612)

15. 'Not as regards their hair, head, ears, eyes, mouth, nose, lips, or brows, (613)

16. 'Nor as regards their neck, shoulders, belly, back, hip, breast, female organ, sexual intercourse, (614)

17. 'Nor as regards their hands, feet, palms, nails, calves, thighs, colour, or voice are there marks that constitute species as in other species. (615)

18. 'Difference there is in beings endowed with bodies, but amongst men this is not the case, the difference amongst men is nominal (only). (616)

http://tipitaka.wikia.com/wiki/SUTTA-NIPATA_3.9