Vanna (social identification)

The term vanna has also been used for the purpose of identification like jati and gotta. A description of true brahmana contains a reference to his vanna.^[1] The monk who remembers his previous births also remembers his vanna.^[2] A man desires a beautiful woman (janapada kalani), but cultivates an imaginary interest in her without. However, knowing about her vanna, that is whether she is of black (kalo), brown (samo) or pale (manguro) complexion (vanna).^[3]

The term vanna has also been used to indicate the four-fold division of the society. It has been often stated that there are four vannas and they are khattiya, brarmana, vessa and sudda.^[4] The Buddha explains to the King Ajatasattu that among the four vannas, the khattiya and the brahmanas are pointed to as chief; that is to say in the way of addressing them, rising up from one’s seat for them, saluting them with joined palms and rendering them service.^[5] The following instance will make it clear that the Buddha that “Gotama teaches the purity of fourfold vanna (gotamo catuvannim suddhim pannapeti) and these brahmanas come to verify this statement.^[6] On another occasion, the Buddha in describing his dreams says that four birds of different vannas come from four directions and sit at his feet; likewise the monks from four vannas, khattiya, brahmanas, vessa, and sudda, come within his fold.^[7] When a man joins the Buddhist order, he becomes without a vannas (vevanniyanti).^[8] A hattiya, brahmana, vessa, and sudda, if he exerts himself may attain the supreme purity.^[9]