118 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



and by perfect detachment from life and its attractions, cessation 

 of the renewal of existence will be attained. "Whence comes peace?" 

 (Buddha is made to say) "When the fire of desire is extinguished, 

 when the fire of hate is extinguished, when the fire of illusion is 

 extinguished, when all sins and all sorrows are extinguished, then 

 comes peace." So that one may "enter nirvana" while still on 

 earth. What might be the after-death state of such a released being 

 Gautama refused to discuss. Buddhism thus proclaimed a mode of 

 salvation in which every man may be his own savior, without refer- 

 ence to God or gods, to priest or ritual. It is the first universal 

 religion addressing itself to all men and to every nation; the first 

 religion which had the ambition to embrace all men, to gather the 

 whole of mankind into a great unity. "Go into all lands and preach 

 this gospel; tell them that the poor and lowly, the rich and high, are 

 all one, and that all castes unite in this religion as unite the rivers 

 in the sea." 



BUDDHIST COMMUNITY (SANOHA) 



The Buddhist community in the strict sense consists of an order of 

 monks and nuns {Bhikshus and BhiJcsTiunis) who, as a rule, live in 

 monasteries and are vowed to celibacy, poverty, and obedience. 

 The following 10 commandments were given to members of the 

 order: (1) Not to kill or even injure any sentient being; (2) not to 

 steal; (3) not to commit adultery; (4) not to lie or use any manner of 

 improper speech; (5) not to use intoxicating drinks; (6) not to take 

 repasts at improper times (that is, after midday); (7) not to attend 

 dances, plays, and public spectacles; (8) not to wear costly raiment 

 and garlands, or use perfumes; (9) not to use high seats and beds; 

 and (10) not to receive gold or silver. But already in Buddha's life- 

 time it was impracticable for all his adherents to retire from the 

 world and join the order. On these lay believers (UpasaJcas) only 

 the first 5 of the 10 injunctions are obligatory. Among the virtues 

 recommended to the masses are reverence to parents and teachers, 

 care for wife and children, submission to authority, control over self, 

 patience, forbearance, humility and contentment, almsgiving, 

 respect for the life of sentient creatures, and care for the welfare of 

 all living things. 



Buddha, his doctrine, and the community form the triad (the 

 "three jewels," triratna) of Buddhism, and the formula of confessing 

 fellowship with Buddhism is : I take my refuge in the Buddha, in the 

 Dharma, and in the Sangha. 



DIVISIONS OF BUDDHISM 



Buddhism is divided into two great schools, which are themselves 

 subdivided into many sects and subsects. The first, the Hinayana, 

 or lesser vehicle (comparing the religion of Buddha to a vessel which 



