[620] "What do you think, Assalāyana? Is it only a brahmin who is capable of developing, with regard to this region, a mind (citta) of loving-kindness (mettā) free from enmity and free from ill will (byāpāda) — and not a khattiya, not a vessa, not a sudda?"
"No indeed, worthy Gotama. A khattiya too, worthy Gotama, is capable of developing, with regard to this region, a mind of loving-kindness free from enmity and free from ill will; a brahmin too, worthy Gotama … a vessa too, worthy Gotama … a sudda too, worthy Gotama … Indeed, worthy Gotama, all four classes (vaṇṇa) are capable of developing, with regard to this region, a mind of loving-kindness free from enmity and free from ill will."
"Herein, Assalāyana, what is the strength of the brahmins, what is their assurance, that the brahmins herein say thus: 'Only brahmins are the highest class; any other class is inferior … heirs of Brahmā'?"
"Though the worthy Gotama says this, nevertheless herein the brahmins still think thus: 'Only brahmins are the highest class; any other class is inferior … heirs of Brahmā.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.