Consider the following statements regarding the dialogue between King Avantiputta and Kachchana: 1. It concludes that the four varnas are fundamentally different and unequal. 2. It is found in a text known as the Majjhima Nikaya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation The question pertains to early Buddhist texts and their critique of the Brahmanical social order. Specifically, it refers to a philosophical dialogue concerning the validity of the varna (caste) hierarchy found in the Pali Canon. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: The dialogue between King Avantiputta of Madhura and the disciple Kachchana is recorded in the Madhura Sutta. This sutta is contained within the Majjhima Nikaya, which is one of the five collections (Nikayas) of the Sutta Pitaka in the Pali Canon. - Statement 2 is Correct: The primary purpose of this dialogue is to refute the claim that Brahmins are a superior caste. Kachchana argues that if a Shudra were wealthy, they could employ a Brahmin, and if a Brahmin committed a crime, they would face the same punishment as a Shudra. The dialogue concludes that the four varnas are essentially equal ("the same") in terms of worldly reality and spiritual potential, explicitly rejecting the idea that they are fundamentally different or unequal. Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: The Majjhima Nikaya contains the Madhura Sutta, which presents the Buddhist argument against the divine origin of caste, asserting that all four varnas are equal in the eyes of the law and economic reality.

Consider the following statements regarding the dialogue… - NCERT Class 12 History MCQ

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the dialogue between King Avantiputta and Kachchana:

It concludes that the four varnas are fundamentally different and unequal.
It is found in a text known as the Majjhima Nikaya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Themes in Indian History - I · Page 70

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

The question pertains to early Buddhist texts and their critique of the Brahmanical social order. Specifically, it refers to a philosophical dialogue concerning the validity of the varna (caste) hierarchy found in the Pali Canon.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The dialogue between King Avantiputta of Madhura and the disciple Kachchana is recorded in the Madhura Sutta. This sutta is contained within the Majjhima Nikaya, which is one of the five collections (Nikayas) of the Sutta Pitaka in the Pali Canon.
Statement 2 is Correct: The primary purpose of this dialogue is to refute the claim that Brahmins are a superior caste. Kachchana argues that if a Shudra were wealthy, they could employ a Brahmin, and if a Brahmin committed a crime, they would face the same punishment as a Shudra. The dialogue concludes that the four varnas are essentially equal ("the same") in terms of worldly reality and spiritual potential, explicitly rejecting the idea that they are fundamentally different or unequal.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: The Majjhima Nikaya contains the Madhura Sutta, which presents the Buddhist argument against the divine origin of caste, asserting that all four varnas are equal in the eyes of the law and economic reality.

Your note

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