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UPSC CDS 2018 (II)

Social Philosophy in Buddhism

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The dialogue on Varna between King Avantiputta and Kachchana, a disciple of Buddha, appears in which one of the following Buddhist texts?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Buddhist texts often utilized dialogues between monks and royalty to challenge the divine origin of the Varna (caste) system.

Explanation In the Majjhima Nikaya, the monk Kachchana argues to King Avantiputta that Varna is merely a social convention and that wealth, rather than birth, often determines social power.

Logical Breakup
Majjhima Nikaya (A): The 'Middle-length Discourses' which contain many such social and philosophical debates.
Logic: The dialogue emphasizes that a wealthy Shudra would be served by a poor Brahmin, effectively deconstructing the ritual hierarchy.

Active Recall

Question

What was Kachchana's main argument against the Varna system?

Answer

He argued that all four Varnas were equal and that social divisions were human-made constructs rather than divine mandates.

Core Insight

This dialogue is one of the earliest recorded rationalist critiques of hereditary social stratification in human history.

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