Talk:Shakya

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As far as I know Saka (Scythian) and Shakya (the Buddha's tribe) are totally unrelated, although both were probably Indo-Aryan (since the Shakya were Kshatriya). I have never seen anywhere a connection between the two, appart from some vague suggestions from time to time. I really don't think the articles should be merged. PHG 11:32, 24 May 2005 (UTC)

Neither do I. It would be more appropriate to mention in this article somewhere, that some people think there is a connection; but hold off on any merge until that is more definitely established. Codex Sinaiticus 11:40, 24 May 2005 (UTC)

I don't think this page should be merged with anything. It's an interesting and encyclopedic subject—principally because it's a tribe that produced one very famous members—that we don't happen to have much information on at the moment. Let's keep it as a stub and wait for someone to expand it (if we're not going to expand it ourselves). - Nat Krause 14:20, 24 May 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Shaka and Shakya are one and the same

Yes they're one and the same. Both refer to one and same caste. The sanskrit pronounciation of the words is also same.

I am afraid that it is not such a widely held view that the Buddha was of Scythian descent, although "Shakya" is indeed phonetically very close to "Saka" or "Shaka", and the Buddha's belonging to the Kshatriya class indeed might point to Central Asian warrior-class origins. It might be considered as a supposition/theory, but this has never been firmly proved. Mention of this connection could be made in the content of the article (s), but it does not justify merging the two as if it was an undisputed fact. PHG 12:40, 17 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Saka and Shakya are indeed same

Well as someone who has elementary knowledge of sanskrit, shakya indeed means capable in Sanskrit but i'm afraid shakya is wrong redering of word saks in English. Infact both spelling are way off the actual pronouciation. Buddha is known as Shakmuni in sanskrit and Shuk means Scythian. AMbroodEY 18:56, 26 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Suryavamsha does not imply sun-worship.

The kshatriyas (warrior caste) can broadly be divided into two. some dynasties claim descent from the sun. (suryavamsha) other dynasties claim descent from the moon. (chandravamsha) The sun was only one of the hindu pantheon, equally revered by all branches.

Here is another article in the wikipedia which also contains the word suryavamsha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasishta