In the same series The Catholic Church and the Race Question, by the Rev. Yves MJ. Conaan, O.P. Jewish Thought as a Factor in Civitication, by Léon Rorx The Ecumenical Movement, the Churehes and the Race Problem, by Dr. W. A. Visser’r Horr In the series The Race Question in Modern Science Race and Culture, by Michel Lemus Race and Psychology, by Otto Kunnena Race and Biology, by L. C. Dunn: Racial Myihs, by Juan Comas The Roots of Prejudice, by Arnold M. Rose Race and Hisiory, by Claude Leve-Srnaus Race and Society, by Kenneth L. Lirrue The Significance of Racial Differences, by G. M. Moranr: Race Mixtare, by Hany L. Suapino “The Race Concept : Results of an Inquiry BUDDHISM AND THE RACE QUESTION by G. P. Matatasexena Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studi one Patel of a i University of Ceylon and KN, Javarmunee Lecturer in Philosophy, Univerity of Ceylon UNESCO 1958Published in 1958 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 19 Avenue Kleber, Paris-16* Printed by Firmin Didot et C* © Unesco 1958 Printed in France 88,571X,5A. NON-EXCLUSIVE AUTHORIZATION to reprint the booklet Buddhism and the Race Question Co-authored by G. P. Malalasekéra and K. N. Jayatlleke, published under the Series "The Race Question and Modern Thought” ©UNESCO 1958, is hereby granted to 'W. G. Weeraratne, M. A., Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief, Encyclopaedia of Buddhism. Otte of theEneyelopaotia of Buddhism, National Library & Documentation Services Board Building, 14, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka, ‘The above booklet reprinted on behalf of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism by the Department of Buddhist Affairs, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Sri Lanka, will be ceremonially released on the birth centenary of Professor Malalasekera (9th November 1999) asa mark of respect to him. Direct Copied and reprinted athe ‘State Printing Corporation 130. Pagoda Road, Paskote and Panalova, Pedal. PREFACE ‘The series in which Buddhism and the Race Question is appearing consists of publications designed to give a brief outline of the attitude of the main religious and philosophical systems to the problems created by the diversily of human types and the inequalities in treatment which it has served to excuse, The present booklet follows those which have described the views of Catholicism, Proestantism and Judaism on this subject, Then will come further sludies, summarizing the rele~ vant theories or doctrines of other religions. Buddhist thinkers have concentrated on the barriers erected between castes in Indian society, rather than on the relations between different ethnic groups. Very many works have been devoted {0 this problem, which is still as topical as ever; and the task of bringing out the main trends and selecting the most significant passages from the whole of this vast liferalure has fazed the two authors’ greal erudition to the full. The reason why Mr. Malalasekera and Mr. Jayatilleke have confined themselves to this particular aspect of the subject is thal, ike many historians and sociologists, they attribute the origin of the caste system, af least in large measure, to the ‘racism’ of the Indo-European invaders of India, This theory is still widely accepted though it is not subscribed to by all experts. It has been suggested that the attribution of such ‘pride of race’ to the ancient Argans might simply be a projection, into prehistoric limes, of altitudes which are peculiar to contemporary society and have emerged only comparatively recenily. Another theory put forward is that the Sanskrit word varna, which means ‘colour’ as well as ‘caste’, might refer fo a symbolic system and not to a social hierarchy based on the colour of men’s skins. Be this as it may, Indian society was already very mized at the time when the caste system took final shape, and il was not Lunt after the fusion of the indigenous with the Indo-European peoples that the restrictions on marriage between members of Aifferent castes became entirely hard and fast. The authors of this booklel rightly stress the close analogy between the inequalities created by the casle system and thoseexisting, in various countries, between different racial groups. The resemblance is particularly striking when it comes to the behaviour of those who claim superiority on the strength of membership of a privileged caste, the colour of their skin, or even the iype of their hair. Nevertheless, Mr. Malalasckera ‘and Mr. Jayatilleke are jully aware that parallels drawn hetween the position of inferior castes and that of certain ethnic minorities ‘may be misleading, and that they concern psychological attitudes rather than actual conditions. The present authors repeatedly stress the close similarity between Buddhist thought and the findings of modern science. There is no doubt that Buddhism, in proclaiming the one-ness of the human species, is in line with modern biological theory ; ‘but such comparisons should not blind us (o the fact that the Lessons of human brotherhood preached by a philosophy thousands -ars old derive from searchings quite other than those under- ging present-day taboratory work. The really important points are the profoundly ‘modern’ character of Buddhist thoughl, —though if is more than two thousand years old—and the lessons in tolerance which it has imparted to men all over the world. In issuing this study on a subject which has exercised Buddhist thinkers since the earliest mes, Unesco has been simply concern- ‘ed to publicize various opinions on the differences dividing groups of human beings. The Organization adopts no position the debates between piosophers and scolar. is one and only aim is to bring these debates to the knowledge of the general public, and fo promote a free exchange of views on a question of prime importance, Introduction. CONTENTS THE PROBLEMS OF RACE, RACISM AND CASTE. . Racism. Caste prejudice and race prejudice | | : Racial origins of caste prejudice. ot ‘THE BUDDHIST CONCEPTION OF MAN AND THE ATTITUDE TO RACISM AND CASTE. fo Man's place in the universe . ‘The biological unity of mankind and the ease seins racism". The dignity and equality of ‘monkind and the case against caste ‘The spiritual unity ‘of mankind } ME PRACTICAL POLIGY OF RACISM AND CASTE, CONCLUSION . BUDDHISM TOWARDS (ee rw 19 85 & #8 BEN a