Thread by @RMBT_tweets

The Buddha Talks to a Brahmin Supremacist

"Master Gotama, the brahmins say, ‘Brahmins are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior. Only brahmins are the fair caste; any other caste is dark. Only brahmins are pure, not non-brahmins. (1/6)

Only brahmins are the sons and offspring of Brahma: born of his mouth, born of Brahma, created by Brahma, heirs of Brahma.’ What does Master Gotama have to say with regard to that? (2/6)

But, Assalayana, the brahmins’ brahmin-women are plainly seen having their periods, becoming pregnant, giving birth, and nursing [their children]. And yet the brahmins, being born through the birth canal, say, “Brahmins are the superior caste . . .” (3/6)

But do you know, masters, if the mother who bore you went only with a brahmin, and not with a non-brahmin?

No, master.

And do you know if mothers of the mother who bore you—back seven generations of mothers—went only with brahmins, and not with non-brahmins?

No, master. (4/6)

And do you know if the father who sired you went only with a brahmin woman, and not with a non-brahmin woman?

No, master.

And do you know if fathers of the father who bore you—back seven generations of fathers—went only with brahmin women, and not with non-brahmin women? (5/5)

No, master.

That being the case, do you know who you are? the Buddha asks.

That being the case, master, we don’t know who we are." ~ The Assalayana Sutta (6/6)