Sakyamuni’s style of teaching was close to the common people. Instead of the elegant language of the Brahmins, he used the vernacular language. As was mentioned earlier, Sakyamuni accepted a Sudra named Upali to be his disciple to whom the Buddha’s brothers and son had to pay homage since their ranks in the Sangha were lower than his. The Buddha and his disciples accepted on equal footing the offerings contributed by the Candalas, or the untouchables, with whom other people were reluctant to make physical contact. The Buddha contrived to meet a Candala and preach to him when he was too shy to come and see the Buddha. In the same way the Buddha treated all the unfortunates. Among his disciples were beggars and prostitutes. The Buddha, on one occasion, rejected an invitation from a king and went to take a dana offered by an unfortunately degenerated woman. In ancient Indian society, the status of women was akin to that of salves. The fact that the Buddha admitted women into the Sangha Order as his monastic disciples is considered a great revolution in religious history.(From Essentials of Buddhims: Questions and Answers)