Using high and broad beds, couches, or seats; receiving presents of gold, silver, raw grain and meat, women, and maidens, slaves, cattle, elephants, etc.; Defaming; Using harsh and reproachful language; Idle talk; Reading and hearing fabulous stories and tales; Carrying messages to and from laymen; Buying and selling; Cheating, bribing, deception, and fraud; Imprisoning, plundering, and threatening others; The practice of certain specified magical arts and sciences, such as fortune-telling, astrological predictions, palmistry, and other sciences, that go under the name of magic. Any of these would retard the progress of one who aimed at the attainment of Nirvāna. 261. Q. _What are the duties of Bhikkhus to the laity?_ A. Generally, to set them an example of the highest morality; to teach and instruct them; to preach and expound the Law; to recite the _Paritta_ (comforting texts) to the sick, and publicly in times of public calamity, when requested to do so; and unceasingly to exhort the people to virtuous actions. They should dissuade them from vice; be compassionate and tender-hearted, and seek to promote the welfare of all beings. 262. Q. _What are the rules for admission into the Order?_ A. The candidate is not often taken before his tenth year; he must have the consent of his parents; be free from leprosy, boils, consumption and fits; be a free man; have no debts; and must not be a criminal or deformed or in the royal service. 263. Q. _As a novice what is he called?_ A. _Samanera_, a pupil.[2] 264. Q. _At what age can a Samanera be ordained as _Sramana_--monk?_ A. Not before his twentieth year. 265. Q. When ready for ordination what happens? A. At a meeting of Bhikkhus he is presented by a Bhikkhu as his proposer, who reports that he is qualified, and the candidate says: "I ask the Sangha, Reverend Sirs, for the _Upasampada_ (ordination) ceremony, etc." His introducer then recommends that he be admitted. He is then accepted. 266. Q. _What then?_ A. He puts on the robes and repeats the Three Refuges {_Tisarana_) and Ten Precepts (_Dasa Sīla_.) 267. Q. _What are the two essentials to be observed?_ A. Poverty and Chastity. A Bhikkhu before ordination must possess eight things, _viz._, his robes, a girdle for his loins, a begging-bowl, water-strainer, razor, needle, fan, sandals. Within limitations strictly specified in the Vināya, he may hold certain other properties. 268. Q. _What about the public confession of faults?_ A. Once every fortnight, a _Patimokka_ (Disburdenment) ceremony is performed, when every Bhikkhu confesses to the assembly such faults as he has committed and takes such penances as may be prescribed. 269. Q. _What daily routine must he follow?_