A distinctive feature of the Triratna Buddhist Order is that it is a unified spiritual community, in the sense that it does not make artificial divisions between its members. Membership is open to all, irrespective of age, sex, race, class, caste, or any other such criterion. People are involved simply as individuals. In particular, an order in which men and women are members on the same terms and with equal status, though not unique, is something of an innovation in Buddhist history. Men and women Order members take the same precepts, vows, and practice on an equal basis.