Part 7 (2/2)

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 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 the laity as such to undertake voluntarily to keep?_

A. The _Atthanga Sila_, or the Eightfold Precept, which embraces the five above enumerated (omitting the word ”unlawful” in the third), with three additional; _viz._:

I observe the precept to abstain from eating at an unseasonable time.

I observe the precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and unbecoming shows, and from the use of garlands, scents, perfumes, cosmetics, ointments, and ornaments.

I observe the precept to abstain from using high and broad beds.

The seats and couches here referred to are those used by the worldly-minded for the sake of pleasure and sensual enjoyment. The celibate should avoid these.

158. Q. _How would a Buddhist describe true merit?_

A. There is no great merit in any merely outward act; all depends upon the inward motive that provokes the deed.

159. Q. _Give an example?_

A. A rich man may expend lakhs of rupees in building dagobas or viharas, in erecting statues of Buddha, in festivals and processions, in feeding priests, in giving alms to the poor, or in planting trees, digging tanks, or constructing rest-houses by the roadside for travellers, and yet have comparatively little merit if it be done for display, or to hear himself praised by men, or for any other selfish motives. But he who does the least of these things with a kind motive, such as love for his fellow-men, gains great merit. A good deed done with a bad motive benefits others, but not the doer.

One who approves of a good deed when done by another shares in the merit, _if his sympathy is real, not pretended_. The same rule applies to evil deeds.

160. Q. _But which is said to be the greatest of all meritorious actions?_

A. The _Dhammapada_ declares that the merit of disseminating the Dharma, the Law of Righteousness, is greater than that of any other good work.

161. Q. _What books contain all the most excellent wisdom of the Buddha's teachings?_

A. The three collections of books called _Tripitakas_ or ”_Three Baskets_”.

162. Q. _What are the names of the three Pitakas, or groups of books?_

A. The _Vinaya Pitaka_, the _Sutta Pitaka_ and the _Abhidhamma Pitaka_.

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