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 S[=i]la, which are imposed on the laity in general?_

A. They are included in the following formula,, which Buddhists repeat
publicly at the vih[=a]ras (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 S[=i]las?

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 S[=i]las 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 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