Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s1: The Three Parisās

Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s1

Language
English

The Three Parisās

v2.c38.s1.1

This class of devout listeners to Buddha's discourses is referred to in the Nikāyas as Khattiya-parisā, Brāhmaṇa-parisā and Gahapati-parisā.¹ There are occasional references to the four castes² as well but the more common way of referring to this class of people was by the above-mentioned three parisās (assemblies).³ In some passages the word 'parisā' is replaced by ‘mahāsāla’ (nobles or rich men)¹ Not unoften is the word ‘paṇḍitā’ (wise men) used instead of ‘parisā’.² The juxtaposition of the word ‘gahapati’ to ‘khattiya’ and ‘brāhmaṇa’ suggests that it meant usually the seṭṭhis (bankers) or businessmen or men who have taken to some vocations, such as agriculture, carpentry, smithy and so forth.³

v2.c38.s1.2

¹ *Majjhima*, i, p. 72: Abhijānāmi kho panāhaṃ Sāriputta, anekasataṃ khattiya-parisaṃ upasaṅkamitā, tatra pi mayā sannisinnapubbaṃ c'eva sallapitapubbaṃ ca sākacchā ca samapajjitapubbā.

v2.c38.s1.3

² *Aṅguttara*, iv, p. 259: Sabbe khattiyā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṃ uposathaṃ upavaseyyuṃ sabbe pi brāhmaṇā...sabbe pi vessā...sabbe pi suddā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṃ uposathaṃ upavaseyyuṃ.

v2.c38.s1.4

³ The other parisās are Samaṇa-parisā, Cātummahārājika-parisā,

v2.c38.s1.5

¹ *Samyutta*, i, p. 71. Khattiyamahāsālā and Brāhmaṇa-mahāsālā have ample gold and silver and other treasures. *Aṅguttara*, iv, pp. 104, 130, 239. *Digha*, iii p. 146

v2.c38.s1.6

² *Khattiya-paṇḍitā* etc. *Samyutta*, iii, p. 6; *Majjhima*, i, p. 176; *Aṅguttara*, iv, pp. 104, 130, 239.

v2.c38.s1.7

³ Cf. Kassakagahapati in *Aṅguttara*, i, p. 229.

v2.c38.s1.8

In the *Aṅguttara-nikāya* the distinctive features of the three parisās are pointed out thus: All the three classes of men seek wordly enjoyment (*bhogādhippāya*) and try to acquire knowledge (*paññupavicāra*). The Khattiyas rely on their prowess (*balādhiṭṭhānā*), is bent upon acquiring lands (*paṭhavībhinivesā*) and aim at dominance (*issariyapariyosānā*), the Brāhmaṇas depend on hymns and chants (*mantādhiṭṭhānā*), is attached to sacrifices (*yaññābhinivesā*) and aim at reaching Brahmaloka, while the Gahapatis depend on arts and crafts (*sippādhiṭṭhānā*), remains engaged with their works (*kammantābhinivesā*) and aim at fruition of their works (*niṭṭhita kammantapariyosānā*).

Cites (9)