ksatriya

If he was a king or a ksatriya, he would be quite unable to govern or wage war against his enemies if he had no desire for power.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001

Further, when dis­puting with brahmins and officials of Vedic religion, it was helpful to be able to relate that the Buddha had taken on the old gods (like the sacred cobra in the fire chamber) and soundly defeated them; even though he was a mere ksatriya, he had more power than did brahmins.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001

The legends indicate that the first recruits came from the brahmin and ksatriya castes, though the message was preached to “the many,” and everybody was welcome to join.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001

There had been no caste system in Sakka, but once he arrived in the mainstream society of the region, he presented himself as a ksatriya, a member of the caste responsible for government.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001

The warrior ksatriya class was de­voted to government and defense; the vaisya were farmers and stockbreeders who kept the economy afloat; and the sudras were slaves or outcastes who were unable to assimilate into the Aryan system.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001

So did fifty of Yasa’s friends from brahmin and ksatriya families in the surrounding countryside.

Buddha Armstrong, Karen, 1944- 2001