..續本文上一頁ollow the order as my Guide." These three are, in fact, the Buddha Dharma.

　　150. Q. What does he mean when repeating this formula

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　　A. He means that he regards the Buddha as his all-wise Teacher, Friend and Exemplar; the Law, or Doctrine, as containing the essential and immutable principles of Justice and Truth and the path that leads to the realisation of perfect peace of mind on earth; and the Order as the teachers and exemplars of that excellent Law taught by Buddha.

　　151. Q. But are not some of the members of this "Order" men intellectually and morally inferior

　　A. Yes; but we are taught by the Buddha that only those who diligently attend to the Precepts, discipline their minds, and strive to attain or have attained one of the eight stages of holiness and perfection, constitute his "Order." It is expressly stated that the Order referred to in the "Tisaraṇa" refers to the "Attha Ariya Puggala"—the Noble Ones who have attained one of the eight stages of perfection. The mere wearing of yellow robes, or even ordination, does not of itself make a man pure, wise or entitled to reverence.

　　152. Q. Then it is not such unworthy bhikkhus as they, whom the true Buddhist would take as his guides

　　A. Certainly not.

　　153. Q. What are the five observances, or universal

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　　precepts, called the Pancha Sila, which are imposed on the laity in general

　　A. They are included in the following formula, which Buddhists repeat publicly at the vihâras (temples):—

　　1 observe the precept to refrain from destroying the life of beings.

　　I observe the precept to refrain from stealing.

　　I observe the precept to abstain from unlawful sexual intercourse. *

　　I observe the precept to refrain from falsehood.

　　I observe the precept to abstain from using intoxicants.

　　154. Q. What strikes the intelligent person on reading these Silas

　　A. That one who observes them strictly must escape from every cause productive of human misery.

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　　[paragraph continues] If we study history we shall find that it has all sprung from one or another of these causes.

　　155. Q. In which Silas is the far-seeing wisdom of the Buddha most plainly shown

　　A. In the first, third and fifth: for the taking of life, sensuality, and the use of intoxicants, cause at least 95 per cent. of the suffering among men.

　　156. Q. What benefits does a man derive from the observance of these Precepts

　　A. He is said to acquire more or less merit according to the manner and time of observing the precepts, and the number observed. That is, if he observes only one precept, violating the other four, he acquires the merit of the observance of that precept only; and the longer he keeps that precept the greater will be the merit. He who keeps all the precepts inviolate will cause himself to have a higher and happier existence hereafter.

　　157. Q. What are the other observances which it is considered meritorious for the laity as such to undertake voluntarily to keep

　　A. The Atthanga Silo, or the Eight-fold Precept, which embraces the five above enumerated (omitting

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　　the word "unlawful" in the third), with three additional; viz.:—

　　I observe the precept to abstain from eating at an unseasonable time.

　　I observe the precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and unbecoming shows, and from the use of garlands, scents, perfumes, cosmetics, ointments, and ornaments.

　　I observe the precept to abstain from using high and broad beds.

　　The seats and couches here referred to are those used by the worldly-minded for the sake of pleasure and sensual enjoyment. The celibate should avoid these.

　　158. Q. How would a Buddhist describe trite merit

　　A. There is no great merit in any merely outward act; all depends upon the inward motive that provokes the deed.

　　159. Q. Give an example.

　　…

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