Why the Buddha Ranked a Barber Above Six Princes | Vibe with Venerables Ep 41

Turns out the Buddha was about 2,600 years ahead of the rest of us when it comes to challenging norms about caste and gender while affirming equality. In Episode 41 of Vibe with Venerables, Venerable Ajahn Canda, founder and spiritual director of Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project (‪@anukampabhikkhuniproject‬), walks through the Suttas where the Buddha quietly dismantled the social ladder of his day. A barber named Upāli ordains before six princes, who then bow to him for life. And when Mara tells the nun Soma that women cannot awaken, she delivers one of the greatest mic-drop replies in history. In this episode, learn more from Suttas reflecting the Buddha’s ideals of inclusivity and mutual respect: • Majjhima Nikaya 93 and 98: how true nobility is defined by conduct, not caste or birth • Therigatha: how the verses of enlightened women reveal the universality of awakening • Soma Sutta: how gender has no relevance to awakening • Mahāparinibbāna Sutta: how the longevity of the teachings depends on the fourfold (or manifold) assembly • Karaniya Metta Sutta: why the practice of universal loving-kindness is indispensable • Samyutta Nikaya 48.9: how letting go leads to samādhi • Uposatha Sutta: how genuine compassion is universal and never selective With warmth and humor, Ajahn Canda makes the case that real wisdom and compassion always point the same way: toward including more people, not fewer. TIMESTAMPS: OPENING 00:00 Introduction 00:01:23 Welcome by Meng 00:02:56 Welcome by Ajahn 00:03:26 Preliminary Homage to the Buddha MAIN TEACHING 00:04:04 Significance of Vesak day 00:06:30 Buddha’s view of caste and gender 00:07:43 Sutta: Majjhima Nikaya 93 - Assalāyanasutta 00:12:24 Sutta: Majjhima Nikaya 98 - Vāseṭṭhasutta 00:14:49 How Buddha formed the Sangha community 00:15:07 Upāli’s ordination before six princes 00:16:44 Stories of enlightened women in Therigatha 00:18:12 Sutta: Samyutta Nikaya 5.2 - Somāsutta 00:21:10 Irrelevance of gender in enlightenment 00:23:32 Buddha's communities were inclusive by design 00:25:37 Discrimination is related to defilement of mind 00:26:51 Buddha formed the Four-fold Assembly out of compassion to future generations 00:28:15 Read about people of different background and situation, to see we’re not that different 00:29:36 Develop loving-kindness like a mother protecting her child with her life 00:31:03 Sutta: Aṅguttaranikāya 3.70 - Uposathasutta 00:33:11 Fully developed wisdom and compassion naturally translate into inclusivity and non-discrimination 00:36:07 Short breathing exercise before Q&A Q&A 00:37:00 Question 1 : An enlightened monk said that one is reborn as a woman due to bad kamma. I wonder if it’s the same as saying those who were generous will be reborn rich? 00:41:14 Question 2 : Reading recommendation on working of Kamma 00:43:04 Question 3 : What can I do when experiencing sloth and torpor in meditation? How can I give up entertainment? 00:48:08 Question 4 : How would an enlightened mind look at our world today, with war and greed? And what if the bully is our own family member? 00:51:23 Question 5 : I feel that we were born with the concept of duality (male & female, good & bad). If we were born with that, how can we overcome it? 00:54:19 Question 6 : Is there any hope for ordination for non-binary or trans people as monastic? CLOSING 00:58:43 Closing with Aspiration and Sharing of merits 01:00:48 Closing remarks by Meng ---------------------------------------------------- 🌟This series is freely offered by Buddhism.net. If you’d like to show your appreciation and gratitude to our teacher, Venerable Ajahn Canda, you may make a donation to the ‪@anukampabhikkhuniproject‬. We thank you for dāna, the practice of cultivating generosity: https://anukampaproject.org/donate/ 🌟Join us LIVE on upcoming Vibe with Venerables episodes: https://buddhism.net/events-upcoming/ 🌟Learn more at Buddhism.net Deepen your understanding, develop a practice, and connect with teachers and community: https://buddhism.net/ 🌟Stay connected with timeless wisdom Subscribe to be kept updated with our latest news, including live sessions and direct dialogue with Venerables: http://buddhism.net/s/subscribe #VibeWithVenerables #AjahnCanda #Buddhism #Dharma #Inclusivity