..續本文上一頁ly because sages wrote them; nor fancies that we may suspect to have been inspired in us by a deva (that is, in presumed spiritual inspiration); nor from inferences drawn from some haphazard assumption we may have made; nor because of what seems an analogical necessity; nor on the mere authority of our own teachers or masters.

　　196. Q. When, then, must we believe

　　A. We are to believe when the writing, doctrine or saying is corroborated by our own reason and consciousness. "For this," says he in concluding, "I taught you not to believe merely because you have heard, but when you believed of your own consciousness, then to act accordingly and abundantly." (See the Kâlâma Sutta of the Anguttara Nikâya, and the Mahâ Pari Nirvâṇa Sutta.)

　　p. 55

　　197. Q. What does the Buddha call himself

　　A. He says that he and the other Buddhas are only "preachers" of truth who point out the way: we ourselves must make the effort.

　　198. Q. Where is this said

　　A. In chapter xx. of the Dhammapada.

　　199. Q. Does Buddhism countenance hypocrisy

　　A. The Dhammapada says: "Like a beautiful flower full of color without scent, the fine words of him who does not act accordingly are fruitless."

　　200. Q. Does Buddhism teach us to return evil for evil

　　A. In the Dhammapada the Buddha said: "If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my ungrudging love; the more evil comes from him, the more good shall go from me." This is the path followed by the Arhat. * To return evil for evil is positively forbidden in Buddhism.

　　p. 56

　　201. Q. Does it encourage cruelly

　　A. No, indeed. In the Five Precepts and in many of his discourses, the Buddha teaches us to be merciful to all beings, to try and make them happy, to love them all, to abstain from taking life, or consenting to it, or encouraging its being done.

　　202. Q. In which discourse is this stated

　　A. The Dhammika Sutta says: "Let him (the householder) not destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any life at all, or sanction the acts of those who do so.

　　p. 57

　　[paragraph continues] Let him refrain from even hurting any creature," * etc.

　　203. Q. Does it approve of drunkenness

　　A. In his Dhammika Sutta we are warned against drinking liquors, causing others to drink, or sanctioning the acts of those who drink. †

　　204. Q. To what are we told that drunkenness leads

　　A. To demerit, crime, insanity, and ignorance—which is the chief cause of re-birth.

　　205. Q. What does Buddhism teach about marriage

　　A. Absolute chastity being a condition of full spiritual development, is most highly commended; but a marriage to one wife and fidelity to her is recognised as a kind of chastity. Polygamy was censured by the Buddha as involving ignorance and promoting lust.

　　206. Q. In what discourse

　　A. The Anguttara Nikâya, chap. iv, 55.

　　p. 58

　　207. Q. What does it teach as to the duty of parents to children

　　A. They should restrain them from vice; train them in virtue; hive them taught arts and sciences; provide them with suitable wives and husbands, and give them their inheritance.

　　208. Q. What is the duty of children

　　A. To support their parents when old or needy; perform family duties incumbent on them; guard their property; make themselves worthy to be their heirs, and when they are gone, honor their memory.

　　209. Q. What of pupils to the teacher

　　A. To show him respect; minister to him; obey him; supply his wants; attend to his instruction.

　　210. Q. What of husband to wife

　　A. To cherish her; treat her with respect and kindness; be faithful to her; cause her to be honored by others; provide her with suitable ornaments and clothes.

　　211. Q. What of the wife to her husband

　　A. To show affection to him; order her household aright; be hospitable to gu…

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