three _are_, in fact, the Buddha Dharma.

150. Q. _What does he mean when repeating this formula?_

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 "Tisarana" 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 or wise or entitle him to reverence.

152. Q. _Then it is not such unworthy bhikkhus as they, whom the true
Buddhist would lake as his guides?_

A. Certainly not.

153. Q. _What are the five observances, or universal 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 viharas (temples):

I 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.[3]

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. 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 ninety-five per cent of the
sufferings 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 obs