>I have three forms. Form1 is set to optimistic buffering. Form1 calls Form2 (do From2) then
>Form2 calls Form3 (do Form3). Is the buffermode inherited from Form1 to Form2 then Form3?

No they aren't inherited per se, but if they participate in the same datasession, then Form2 and Form3 will see the tables and views opened by Form1 with Form1's buffering mode. If Form2 and Form3 open cursors (tables and views) then those will use the buffering mode of Form2 and Form3, respectively.