Table Of Content

fo fusssiod Cobechoo fhrartan Wetarpara Joy kasoas pubis Librasp Govt. of ust Beonad A BUDDHAST CATECHISM. or INTRODUCTION. 3. Of what religion (‘) are you? « Of the Buddhist sJigion. 2. What ts a Buddhist ? One who reveres the Buddha as the dispenser of spiritual ligkt, the supreme guide and teacher of all liying beings; who believeg his doctripe, observes its precepts,and has given publi¢ and solemn testimony to this, by repeating what is called the “Refuge” foPmula. 3. What avethe words of the formula, or declara- * Hon so called ? They are es follows : T take my refuge in the suaana. I take my refuge in the doctrine (Dhatnma). I take my refuge in the Brotherhood of the « Elect ct, (Sangha). 4. What is Te solemn repetition of this Sormbla meant to express 3 He who‘utters the formula, publicly affirms by 0 4 BUDDH{ST CATECHISM. so doing that he henceforth considtrs the Buddha his master and guide, acknowledges the sacred , doctrine to be the foundation and essence of all truth and, righteousness, and declares the Brother- hood of the Elect to be the true and faithful, fol- lowers, teacher$, and interpreters of this doctrine. 5. Zs this formula obligatory, on atl Buddhists? On all without txcéption, whgther they belong to the Buddhist laity of to, the Brotherhood of the » Elect, who have ethbraced’ ‘the. fife of a Bhikshu. He al8ne who has,repeated the formula of Refuge, before a congregation or its representatives, is really a member of thé Buddhist community. 06. Mey should this Holy Miad (threefold Safe- guard), which the Buddhist ‘professes to be his, refuge, be called? 4 The three guiding stars. For‘as the stars of héaven guide the lonely mariners across’the dark and tempestuous sea, so they guide him, who trusts in them, across the degert ocean of ignorance, passion and worldly desire, into the haven of eternal peace (Niryana). Therefoge the Buddhist, full of trust, of gratitude and veneration, looks up to these three guiding stare, fervently repéatirty : Reverence fb the Blefsed Che, who has overcome the world, the self-enlightened supreme Buddha. Reverence to the bly, pure, ang saving dog- trine, Reverence to the “Brqtherhood of the Elect. -THE BUDDHA, 7. Who ts the Buddha ? The Founder of the kingdom of fighteousness and truth, the Self-enlightened Blesged One, per- fect in holiness, wisdom, and mercy. 8. Ts the J Buddh& a God, who has revealed” himself to mankind ? No. 9. Or One sent ky Gog to come isto the world” to . bring salvation ? No. 10. Then shewas a man? e Yes; buta man far Superior to ordirfary men, one of a series pf self-enlightened sublime Buddhas, who appear at long intervals i ig the world, and are morally and spiritually so superior to erringpsuffer- ing mankind, that to the childlike conceptions of the a they appear aq Gods or Messjahs. i& Budlgha @ proper name’ e No Buddha meaps & mental state or con- dition.