出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/07/08 04:57 UTC 版)
Brahmin (also Brahman; Brāhmaṇa) (Sanskrit: ब्राह्मण) is a name used to designate a member of the highest of the four varnas. According to the Manusmṛti, there are four "varnas", or classes: the Kshatriyas (warriors, law enforcers, administrators), Brahmins (scholars, teachers, fire priests), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle raisers, merchants, bankers), and Shudras (service providers). Brahmins were respected by the society for their self-abnegation and for being the custodians of Dharma (as "one who prays; a devout or religious man; a Brāhman who is well versed in Vedic texts; one versed in sacred knowledge"). They were the ultimate authority over interpretation of Vedic and Puranic spiritual texts like the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita.