In its origin it broke down all castes.

All men, of whatever rank, can enter its priesthood.

It has an unbounded charity for all souls, and holds it a duty to make sacrifices for all.

One legend tells us that the Buddha gave his body for food to a starved tigress, who could not nurse her young through weakness.

An incident singularly like that in the fourth chapter of John is recorded of the hermit, who asked a woman of low caste for water, and when she expressed surprise said, "Give me drink, and I will give you truth." The unconditional command, "Thou shalt not kill," which applies to all living creatures, has had great influence in softening the manners of the Mongols.