d the
state of Nirvana."

This alluded to the acquisition of _Nirvana_ while still in the physical
body. In other words, as we of this century understand the teaching, he
had experienced cosmic consciousness.

The modern version of the commandments of Buddha are almost identical with
those of the Christian creed, and these commandments are, as we have
previously observed, the same that Moses laid down for the guidance of his
people. That they were old before Moses was born, is also more than
problematical.

It is also more than probable that Buddha did not personally write the
ethical code which we now find submitted as the "Commandments of Buddha,"
but that Buddha merely emphasized them.

These commandments are not, however, understood, by the intelligent
Buddhist as "sacred," in the sense that "God spoke unto Buddha."

Moses doubtless assumed to have been divinely instructed in the law,
although that supposition may be erroneous. He may have had in mind the
same fundamental idea which all those expressing cosmic consciousness have
had, that of being a mouthpiece of a higher power, rather than to attract
to themselves any adulation or worship, as being specially divine.

The "Commandments," therefore, as translated and ascribed to modern
Buddhism, are an ethical and moral code for the _MORTAL_ consciousness,
rather than a _formula_ for developing cosmic consciousness. These
commandments are:

1--Thou shalt kill no animal whatever, from the meanest insect up to man.

2--Thou shalt not steal.

3--Thou shalt not violate the wife of another.

4--Thou shalt speak no word that is false.

5--Thou shalt not drink wine, nor anything that may intoxicate.

6--Thou shalt avoid all anger, hatred and bitter
language.

7--Thou shalt not indulge in idle and vain talk, but shall do all for
others.

8--Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

9--Thou shalt not harbor envy, nor pride, nor revenge, nor malice, nor the
desire of thy neighbor's death or misfortune.

10--Thou shalt not follow the doctrines of false gods.

And the devotee is assured, even as in the Christian creed, that "he who
keeps these commandments, shall enter Nirvana--the rest of Buddha." But let
it be understood that Gautama, the Lord Buddha, did not formulate these
commandments. Neither are they considered as infallible formulae, by the
enlightened Buddhist.

They constitute the ethical and moral code of the undeveloped man in all
ages of th