Part 7 (1/2)

A. As a general rule that would be the case, until he had evolved beyond its level; but the inhabited worlds are numberless. The world upon which a person is to have his next birth, as well as the nature of the rebirth itself, is decided by the preponderance of the individual's merit or demerit. In other words, it will be controlled by his attractions, as science would describe it; or by his Karma, as we, Buddhists, would say.

144. Q. _Are there worlds more perfectly developed, and others less so than our Earth?_

A. Buddhism teaches that there are whole _Sakwalas_, or systems of worlds, of various kinds, higher and lower, and also that the inhabitants of each world correspond in development with itself.

145. Q. _Has not the Buddha summed up his whole doctrine in one gatha, or verse?_

A. Yes.

146. Q. _Repeat it?_

A. _Sabba papa.s.sa akaranm, Kusala.s.sa upasampada Sachitta pariyo dapanam-- Etam Buddha.n.u.sasanam._

”To cease from all evil actions, To generate all that is good, To cleanse one's mind: This is the constant advice of the Buddhas.”

147. Q. _Have the first three of these lines any very striking characteristics?_

A. Yes: the first line embodies the whole spirit of the _Vinaya Pitaka_, the second that of the _Sutta_, the third that of the _Abhidhamma_. They comprise only eight Pali words, yet, as the dew-drop reflects the stars, they sparkle with the spirit of all the Buddha Dharma.

148. Q. _Do these precepts show that Buddhism is an active or a pa.s.sive religion?_

A. To ”cease from sin” may be called pa.s.sive, but to ”get virtue” and ”to cleanse one's own heart,” or mind, are altogether _active_ qualities. Buddha taught that we should not merely not be evil, but that we should be _positively_ good.

149. Q. _Who or what are the ”Three Guides”[2] that a Buddhist Is supposed to follow?_

A. They are disclosed in the formula called the Tisarana: ”I follow Buddha as my Guide: I follow the Law as my Guide: I follow the Order as my Guide.” These 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, const.i.tute his ”Order”. It is expressly stated that the Order referred to in the ”Tisarana” refers to the ”Attha Ariya Puggala”--the n.o.ble 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 ent.i.tle 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 s.e.xual intercourse.[3]

I observe the precept to refrain from falsehood.