Chapter I: The Way of the Common Life

The three sacred truths discover the situation of humanity in relation to the universe, and the ideal remedy for its misery. _End the self-life and thus end the misery._

But the full teaching of the denial of Self cannot be received by all. The Self-life and the world-life are pleasant, and many will accept the misery which may come, rather than forego present joy.

For such, a simple, natural, human life, hedged and moralized by the law, is provided.

♦The ten Sins♦ The ten sins must be conquered. They are:--

THREE SINS OF THE BODY.
The taking of life.
Theft.
Unlawful sexual intercourse.

FOUR SINS OF THE TONGUE.
Lying.
Slander.
Swearing.
Vain conversation.

THREE SINS OF THE MIND.
Covetousness.
Malice.
Unbelief.

♦The Moral Law♦ For aid in the conquest of the sins, there is a short inclusive moral law:--

“Thou shalt not kill, nor cause to be killed, any living thing.”

“Thou shalt abstain from anything in any place, that has not been given thee.”

“Thou shalt avoid an unchaste life as a burning heap of coals.”

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against another.”

“Thou shalt not drink the Soma juice.”

(This command is not only a command of total abstinence from intoxicants, but a law of separation from the whole sacrificial system of Brahmanism.)

♦The Ideal♦ The ideal is of a life lived in the world, adding to _Karma_ as little as may be; solemnized by the thought of the future re-buildings of the being; a life of kindness, honesty, purity and temperance; a life of self-discipline, which shall aim at lessening the evil around as far as may be, and shall add none to the future. In particular, the human brotherhood, reverence for age, and for every living thing, and peacefulness of spirit, are the virtues to be practised.

* * * * *

♦Some Precepts♦ “Do not ask about descent, but ask about conduct.”

“Watching his speech, well restrained in mind, let a man never commit any wrong with his body. Let a man but keep these three roads of action clear, and he will achieve the way that is taught by the wise.”

“He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver, other people are but holding the reins.”

“He who by causing pain to others wishes to obtain pleasure for himself, he, entangled in the bonds of hatred, will never be free from hatred.”

“If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind, like an elephant in the forest.”

“Let a man overcome anger by love, let him overcome evil by good, let him overcome the greedy by liberality, the liar by truth.”

* * * * *

♦No Nirvana♦ But in the common life, how well soever it may be lived, there is no Nirvana.

* * * * *

Christ has in His teaching no counterpart to this path for the weak; even as there is small encouragement in the Buddha’s message for those who choose to walk in it.

“Narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it.”