• Out of the ten key disciples of Buddha, three were Kshatriyas, six were Brahmins and one was barber.

At the Great Buddha Statue in Bodh Gaya are ten statues. When I visited was told they are the key disciples of Buddha. The names as given below the statue are-

Left of statue are Ananda, Sariputra, Punna, Mahakaccana and Rahula. Right of statue are Subhuti, Upali, Mahakassapa, Mahamoggallana and Anuruddha.

Ananda and Anuruddha was Buddha’s cousin meaning Kshatriya. Rahula was Buddha’s son meaning Kshatriya. Source and read about 10 disciples

Upali was Buddha’s barber. Unlike today when barber’s are not looked upon favourably, those days they were important because they went house to house to cut hair and so knew what was happening in houses visited. 

According to History and Culture of Indian People Volume 2 Sariputra and Maudgalyayana were Brahmins. Pg. 368 Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Mahakassapa was born a Brahmin. Source and Wikipedia Subhuti was a Brahmin. Source Purna or Punna was born a Brahmin. Source   Mahakaccana (also known as Kātyāyana) was born a Brahmin. Source

According to the Cultural Heritage of India Volume 1 Buddhist patriachs such as Nagarjuna, Asanaga, Dinnaga were born in Brahmin families. Pg. 578 Published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Dr Satish Kapoor, former British Council Historian and author wrote in Bhavan Journal wrote, “All the eleven disciples (ganadhara) of Lord Mahavira were Brahmins. Kashyapa, the most erudite among the disciples of Buddha, credited with founding the Dhyana School (better known as Zen) was also a Brahmin.”

Dr Kapoor adds, “The Brahmins have been the torch bearers of spiritual wisdom.”

When Brahmins contributed to the development and growth of Buddha Darsana why do some criticize Brahmins so much? Surely, the community like others are not perfect but such hatred and criticism overlooks their contribution to Baudh Dharma.