Since neither of us was able to convince the other, we’ve come to ask you, sir, renowned as the awakened one. As people honor with cupped palms the moon on the cusp of waxing, bowing, they revere Gotama in the world. We ask this of Gotama, the Eye arisen in the world: is one a brahmin due to birth, or else because of deeds? We don’t know, please tell us, so we can recognize a brahmin.”

“I shall explain to you,” said the Buddha, “accurately and in sequence, the taxonomy of living creatures, for species are indeed diverse. Know the grass and trees, though they lack self-awareness. They’re defined by birth, for species are indeed diverse. Next there are bugs that crawl or fly, and so on, to ants and termites. They’re defined by birth, for species are indeed diverse. Know the quadrupeds, too, both small and large. They’re defined by birth, for species are indeed diverse. Know, too, the long-backed snakes, crawling on their bellies. They’re defined by birth, for species are indeed diverse. Next know the fish, whose habitat is the water. They’re defined by birth,