法苑珠林 5.48

5.48

若以四方言之。則北欝單越無貴無賤。彼無僕使之殊。故無貴賤。餘之三方皆有貴賤。以有君臣庶民之別。大家僕使之殊故。有貴賤別類也。總束貴賤。合有六品。一貴中之貴。謂輪王等。貴中之次。謂粟散王等。三貴中之下。謂如百僚等。四賤中之賤。謂駘駑豎子等。五賤中之次。謂僕隷等。六賤中之下。謂姬妾等。麁束如是。細分難盡。

If we speak of it in terms of the four directions, then in northern Uttarakuru there is neither noble nor base; there is no distinction of servants there, and therefore neither noble nor base. In the remaining three directions there are noble and base, because there is the distinction of ruler, minister, and common people, and the difference of masters and servants; therefore there are distinct classes of noble and base. Summing up the noble and base, there are six grades in all: first, the noblest among the noble, namely cakravartins and the like; second, the intermediate among the noble, namely millet-scattering kings and the like; third, the lowest among the noble, such as the hundred officials and the like; fourth, the basest among the base, namely sluggish and inferior youths and the like; fifth, the intermediate among the base, namely servants, slaves, and the like; sixth, the lowest among the base, namely concubines, maidservants, and the like. Roughly summed up they are like this; fine divisions can hardly be exhausted.