Chapter 7 Reflection

          From the section about Xuanzang , the Buddhist monk from China visiting India, the part that interested me the most was the fact that based on your family and how many classes you are able to explain from the book Vinaya Discourses will determine your caste. The people that are able to fully explain all six classes has reached a high distinction where they call an assembly and judge the inferior and superior based on their discussion. The person analyzes the others good and bad point in their discussion and opinion. After the assembly, that person is then carried onto an elephant with precious jewels. If the assembly goes wrong or the person who ordered the assembly speaks faulty they are chased and they cover his/her body with dirt and paint and they are left in a deserted place. Even though china also has a caste system, this might have shocked Xuanzang due to the severity of the measures taken.