Study and Discussion Questions for Early Buddhist Discourses

Study and Discussion Questions for Early Buddhist DiscoursesChapter Fourteen: Discourse to Assalāyana (Assalāyana Sutta)Study Questions1) What has the Buddha asserted regarding the four classes of society that has offended theBrahmins?2) What are the five reasons why Brahmins see themselves as the highest social class?3) The Buddha gives at least eight reasons why he thinks the Brahmin’s claim to be the highestsocial class is baseless. Summarize four of these reasons.4) The Buddha points out that Assalāyana keeps shifting his defense of the Brahmin claim toprecedence. How so? Why does Assalāyana’s last position agree with the Buddha’s ownposition? How is this different from the claims of the Brahmins to be the highest socialclass?5) What is the meaning of the parable the Buddha relates about the seven forest-dwellingBrahmins visited by the seer Asita Devala?6) How does the Buddha account for the (reproductive) conception of a human being?Discussion Questions1) Are there claims to class precedence in present-day society? If so, what is the basis for suchclaims? How do they compare with the claims made by the Brahmins in this discourse?2) On what basis should one accept the precedence of a certain class (e.g., based on birth,economic status, education)?3) Is the Buddha right to reject the claims of precedence in regard to social standing, but acceptprecedence based on moral/spiritual achievement?