ABSTRACT
All of humanity falls naturally into two groups: the nang pa, that is ' those situated inside', in other words inside the Law of the Buddha, and the phyid pa, 'those standing outside', that is those who do not follow the Buddha's word. Among the nangpa, however, two further groups can be distinguished: on the one hand the dge bsnyen (Skt. upasaka), lay adherents for whom only the first five precepts are obligatory (not to kill; not to steal; not to live unchastely; not to lie; to drink no intoxicating beverages), and on the other hand the dge tshul (Skt. sramanera), the novices, bearers of the lower consecrations, and the dge slong (Skt. bhiksu), ordained mendicant monks, who have to fulfil all of the ten precepts. (The additional five are not to eat at a time when it is not permitted; not to take part in dance, song, music, theatrical spectacles; not to use any garlands, perfumes or adornments; not to sleep on a high or large bed; not to receive gold or silver.)
While the precepts for monastic consecration and for entry into the orders are in principle the same everywhere, these basic norms are overlaid by the predominance of Tantric practices, as indicated above. The consecration (dbang) awakens a spiritual maturity of another kind in the recipient, the maturity of one who has actualized the mystical practices prescribed in the various Tantric schools (sgrub bla, grub thob, Skt. siddha).
