This refers to the article, “The larger message in Buddha’s teachings” (April 19) by Sandhya Jain. The article certainly demolishes the attempts by our enemies to demarcate Buddhism from the Hindu mainstream, but it also gives an impression that Buddha was for jati/caste. While Buddha was not actively opposed to the caste system, as this was not his prime agenda, but by going against the caste exclusiveness, he did demolish the very foundation of varna.
What is varna without birth identityIJ And if it is not anchored in birth, how can it have any practical significance in the societyIJ So, without birth exclusiveness, the varna system has no practical meaning and it is just like a philosophical note/observation. BR Ambedkar in his Annihilation of Caste, has dealt on this subject very extensively.