Living in a democratic society such as ours, it is probably hard to understand the complexity of Indian social structures at that time. There was absolutely no social mobility between these castes because one's caste was inherited at one's parents at birth, a situation that was prescribed in the Vedic scriptures, unlike the social class which is a man made institution. It was an untouchable, Ambedkar, who revived Buddhism in India which led the greatest mass conversion to Buddhism in modern Indian history. The birth of the Buddha in a country full of social inequality must be seen as the beginning of a new era in which human dignity is respected. A new era in which human beings are no longer the playthings of omniscient deities.
Human beings deserve respect and equal treatment regardless of their origins or social standing.
Buddhism is a religion of loving kindness and compassion which is not restricted to human beings. Let me recount a story of the Buddha and his cousin, Devadatta, who later became the Buddha s adversary. One day Prince Siddharta was walking in the royal garden when suddenly a white swan pierced by an arrow, fell on the ground in front of him. I am here to look after you. The bird seemed to be reassured and lay quietly.