法苑珠林 8.27

8.27

第七今我作釋迦文尼佛。父字閱頭檀剎利王種。母字摩訶摩耶。所治國名迦維羅衛。先大王名槃提（統而言之總有四族。一婆羅門二剎帝利三毘舍四首陀。然則後二族卑。非上尊之所託。前二種貴。寔正覺之宅生。婆羅門德行清高。剎帝利威恩遐舉。智論曰隨時所尚佛生其中。故釋迦出剛強之世。託王種以振威。迦葉生善順之時。居淨行而標德也）。

The seventh, I myself today who have become Śākyamuni Buddha: my father was named Śuddhodana, of the kṣatriya royal caste; my mother was named Mahāmāyā; the country he ruled was named Kapilavastu; the previous great king was named Siṃhahanu. (Speaking comprehensively, there are four castes in all: first, brāhmaṇas; second, kṣatriyas; third, vaiśyas; fourth, śūdras. Thus the latter two castes are lowly and not where the Supreme Venerable takes birth; the former two castes are noble and truly where the Fully Enlightened One chooses to dwell and be born. Brāhmaṇas have pure and lofty virtuous conduct, while kṣatriyas possess majesty and grace extending far and wide. The *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra* says that depending on what is esteemed in a given era, the Buddha is born among them. Hence Śākyamuni appeared in an obstinate and harsh age, taking birth in the royal caste to manifest majesty; Kāśyapa was born in a gentle and compliant age, abiding in pure conduct to exemplify virtue.)