148. Q. _Do these precepts show that Buddhism is an active or a passive religion?_
A. To "cease from sin" may be called passive, 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, 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?_
153. Q. _What are the five observances, or universal precepts, called the Pañcha Sīla, which are imposed on the laity in general?_
A. They are included in the following formula,, which Buddhists repeat publicly at the vihāras (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.
