[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c14.124 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.124 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.124 - **Language:** English ### [c14.124](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.124) An appendix attached to the Dasabrâhmaṇa Jâtaka gives a sketch which in the Vâseṭṭha Sutta (No. 35 of the Sutta Nipâta)—indirectly at any rate—is made of worldly Brâhmaṇas. Between the two youths Vâseṭṭha and Bhâradvâja a dispute arises as to whether a person is a Brâhmaṇa by birth or by act. Whilst Bhâradvâja maintains, “when anybody is of high birth on both sides, on his mother’s side as well as on his father’s, is of good family up to the seventh ancestor, blameless and irreproachable in respect of birth, he is \*ipso facto\* a Brâhmaṇa,” Vâseṭṭha sees true Brahmanism in virtue and in good works. As they cannot convince each other, they resolve to have their dispute settled by the samaṇa Gotama. The latter points out in his answer, that in contrast with other living beings who are divided into several species, human beings are not distinguished by external characteristics; the differences among men lie only in their names. - [Previous: c14.123](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.123) - [Next: c14.125](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.125) - [Up: c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14) ## Cites (2) - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka) — Pāli - [Suttanipāta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.suttanipata) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.124](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.124) · Pramāṇa