comes an outcast, by deeds one becomes a Br[=a]hmana" (See
_Vassala Sutta_).

227. Q. _Tell me a story to illustrate this?_

A. Ananda, passing by a well, was thirsty and asked Prakrti, a girl of
the M[=a]tanga, or Pariah, caste, to give him water. She said she was
of such low caste that he would become contaminated by taking water
from her hand. But Ananda replied: "I ask not for caste but for
water"; and the M[=a]tanga girl's heart was glad and she gave him to
drink. The Buddha blessed her for it.

228. Q. _What did the Buddha say in "Vasala Sutta" about a man of the
Pariah Sop[=a]ka caste?_

A. That by his merits he reached the highest fame; that many Khattiyas
(Kshattriyas) and Br[=a]hmanas went to serve him; and that after death
he was born in the Br[=a]hma-world: while there are many Br[=a]hmanas
who for their evil deeds are born in hell.

229. Q. Does Buddhism teach the immortality of the soul?

A. It considers "soul" to be a word used by the ignorant to express a
false idea. If everything is subject to change, then man is included,
and every material part of him must change. That which is subject to
change is not permanent: so there can be no immortal survival of a
changeful thing.[10]

230. Q. _What is so objectionable in this word "soul"?_

A. The idea associated with it that man can be an entity separated
from all other entities, and from the existence of the whole of the
Universe. This idea of separateness is unreasonable, not provable by
logic, nor supported by science.

231. Q. _Then there is no separate "I," nor can we say "my" this or
that?_

A. Exactly so.

232. Q. _If the idea of a separate human "soul" is to be rejected,
what is it in man which gives him the impression of having a permanent
personality?_

A. _Tanh[=a]_, or the unsatisfied desire for existence. The being
having done that for which he must be rewarded or punished in future,
and having _Tanh[=a]_, will have a rebirth through the influence of
Karma.

233. Q. _What is it that is born?_

A. A new aggregation of Skandhas, or personality[2] caused by the last
generative thought of the dying person.

234. Q. _How many Skandhas are there?_

A. Five.

235. Q. _Name the five Skandhas?_

A. R[=u]pa, Vedan[=a], Sann[=a], Samkh[=a]r[=a],_ and _Vinn[=a]na_.

236. Q. _Briefly explain what they are?_

A. __R[=u]pa_, material qualities; _Vedan[=a]_, sensation; _Sann[=a]_,
abstract ideas; _