As I have pointed out, in the time of Shakyamuni few Brahmans and samanas were justly describable as men of religion in the truest sense. Though they were in charge of learning and ceremonies, the Brahmans were concerned most intently with formalities and were not the spiritual leaders of their age but merely habitual performers of empty rituals. Leading materially secure lives on land granted to them by royalty, they turned away from lofty spiritual ideals and concentrated on their own ease. Whereas some of them gained an independent livelihood by industriously tilling their land, others strove only for honor, wealth, and pleasure.