[[12]] The student may profitably consult Schopenhauer in this connection. Arthur Schopenhauer, a modern German philosopher of the most eminent ability, taught that "the Principle or Radical, of Nature, and of all her objects, the human body included, is, intrinsically what we ourselves are the most conscious of in our own body, viz., Will. Intellect is a secondary capacity of the primary will, a function of the brain in which this will reflects itself as Nature and object and body, as in a mirror... Intellect is secondary, but may lead, in saints, to a complete renunciation of will, as far as it urges "life" and is then extinguished in Nirvāna (L. A. Sanders in The Theosophist for May 1882, p. 213).
[[13]] Physiologically speaking, man's body is completely changed every seven years.
[[14]] This fundamental or basic principle may be designated in Pālī, Nidāna—chain of causation or, literally, "Origination of dependence". Twelve Nidānas are specified, viz.: Avijjā—ignorance of the truth of natural religion; Samkhāra—causal action, karma; Viññana—consciousness of personality, the "I am I"; Nāma rūpa—name and form; Salayatana—six senses; Phassa—contact, Vedanā—feeling, Tanhā—desire for enjoyment; Upādāna—clinging, Bhava—individualising existence; Jāti—birth, caste; Jarā, narana, sokaparidesa, dukkha, domanassa, upāyāsa—decay, death, grief, lamentation, despair.
PART III
THE SANGHA
256. Q. How do Buddhist Bhikkhus differ from the priests of other religions?
A. In other religions the priests claim to be intercessors between men and God, to help to obtain pardon of sins; the Buddhist Bhikkhus do not acknowledge or expect anything from a divine power.
257. Q. But why then was it worth while to create this Order, or Brotherhood, or Society, apart from the whole body of the people, if they were not to do what other religious orders do?
A. The object in view was to cause the most virtuous, intelligent, unselfish and spiritually-minded persons to withdraw from the social surroundings where their sensual and other selfish desires were naturally strengthened, devote their lives to the acquisition of the highest wisdom, and fit themselves to teach and guide others out of the pleasant path leading towards misery, into the harder path that leads to true happiness and final liberation.