1. Men of a common capacity must believe that there is a God, that there is a future life, and that all will obtain, according to their deeds in this life, a reward hereafter.
2. Men of a middle degree of intellectual or moral capacity, in addition to the above doctrines, must understand that every compound thing is perishable; that there is no reality in things; that every imperfection causes suffering, and that deliverance from suffering, and eventually from bodily existence, is final beatitude.
3. Men of the highest capacities will know that between the [[197]]body and the supreme soul nothing exists by itself, nor can we prove whether the supreme soul will continue for ever, or absolutely cease; because everything exists by a casual concatenation.
Concerning the Course of Life.
Those of common capacity are content with the observance of the Ten Commandments.
Those of the middle degree also endeavour to excel in morality, meditation, and wisdom.
Those of the highest capacities practise, besides the above, the six transcendental virtues as well.
Regarding Salvation.
Those of the first degree, seeing the miseries of those who, by virtue of the metempsychosis, suffer in the bad places of transmigration as beasts, &c., desire to be born again among men, or among angels (asuras), or among gods.
Those of the second class are not content with the lot of the former, and wish to be entirely delivered from all bodily existence.