The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-20
4 NEW INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
FALSE GODS mot POLITICALLY SET UP IN OUR MIDST.
The nammen Wershlppers or California
Frustrating Themselves before
Buddhist Shrlnes.
Celestial Propagandists amongst the Out
side Barbarians,


Our San Francisco CORE spOndence.
SAN FRANCISCO, April u, 1856.
Bs~sswaso~ Of BSddAia TsmpEe-Arrtual of Chin,
us-Desr.ption gf the Opening Csremonies-7he Fsas
The Sscyifces-CAiaese Derotion-Sgui5s and Cracker
General FIdre-up Honor of the Joss
After the gigantic efforts missionary and Bible 90
siees spread the benehcent influence of
throughout heahensh lands the people of San Francisco
aTe witnesses OF the Inauguration of Buddhism on Ame
can soil attended with unusual pomp and magnidcence
me Chinese population have .. last after many dlsap
Pontmsnts, imported wooden god all the
sas OF their worship, the purpose Of erecting them
- permanent institutions in midst. They have in
asst years celebrated annually funeral essts visiting the
OF departed relations, to offer articles of food for
hsr spirits to feast upon. This year the obser-
gone through the day before this deity was
A.staed. The introduction Of public doatry into Cali
Sprnia 10 event that may well claim the attention Of
the people Of the United States and considerable dis
play vas made, d. scrpton Of the ceremony and
snts used the may prove interesting TO the
readers Of the HERALD.
Before the dawn Of Christianity Buddhism was seven
centuries in existence 1t is ancient than the re
gion calling itself Catholic, and greater num-
bsr of followers and larger extent of territory subject
TO IT. than United Chrissendom. Cakynoan is supposed
10 DO its founder. he had in view the alienation Of the
condition of mankind and endsavored prove himself
senefactor to his He expeIe! hereto from
Brabmanifm, but ultimately his doctrines adopted
and were soon recognized as q distnc. religion.
The festival, as it called, commenced the 4h
instant and continued to the Sh occupying Ave days.
The arrival Of the statue Of Ching Tai Joss
cd character In Chinese history deifed by that people
furnished The occasion. The edce in which it held
erected in 1853 and called the See Yup Azylur
The bulcing constructed Of brick is situated Pine
street and is Of nguar stye Of architecture, the
ing en- each side high walls general Inv talon was
extended to our citizens through the press visit the
building and at least twenty thousand men and
must have taken advantage of the freely accorded
The Inhabitants Of the Fowery Kingdom pra .tised in
poiiteness and al who visited their temple treated
Catering on the ground floor, which is suspend
Cd two large colosed balloon lamps, is spacious re.
oepon room tastetuy Furnished with cushioned chairs
and tables arranged each side. The walls were CO.
vered with paintings Of females and children with rouad
M t sSs , sna e1'seagy One rep esspssa Ching
very unlike any celestial that has yet made his appear
ance here This apartment used a supper room,
and Writer'S accommodated with tea tobacco
The principal ceremonies and the installation the
wooden deity, enacted in the ond story. large
this object 1t gorgeously farnished in oriental
sye and its appearances At first had most strkins eff
painted wood having praise the Joss and
scattered through the ball were boards wi similar in
scp,Eus On large a table in the ssntrs Of the room
roast pig with fowl pucked clean of their Tiers, and
various kinds Of fish, all decorated wi small boqusts
artificial flowers and gold Leaf On other tables were
apples oranges bananas and tropical fruits arranged
plates like piles Of shot The Chinese cuisine put
raer tribute to ado 10 the display Of uxuries and it
iSlu6es dogs unmatched chickens rats birds ts and
feline rsgouts the uninated would hesitate before par
tskrg Of any part of the feast. Diminutivs human
hyures of plaster showing skill aud dssgo had
places amid the tables and appeared to stand gard
m osrine 10 The goa sud though muca OF
before the termination OF the festival it is left
Of doubt whether that dgnitiry RECALLED himself with
mad hvt ho
In an acovs at the end Of the roou 80 .xo,,o-
throne upon which Is seated the CT aed IDOL Joss ban
ners covered with fantastic figures side
The framework which surrounds him is composed OF
teak wood ard esboraely covered with carved brass
wors green silk curtain drawn apart displays view
me oern god IN Ssrosric splendor scarf fripged
NlIn Ra placed his hesd and falls down 70 the
waist The figure Is life size, and richly adorned with
costly The boad iace, colored bright brown
has Q grotesque appearance. Two long locks Of
Hack hair hang from the upper lip minging with beard
Of hue the right hand is partly stretched forth
epcased with slippers turned very much up at the tee
and from the eyes proceed stare indicative Of aiah
simplicity: 1t fair specimen Of Chinese wood scuf-
ture: but is entirely devoid OF any hirg Ike Spirituality
The and sensual predomioates, aud this charac
teristc Observable in the adjournment the en- ire
building. triangular pile, resembling puuber OF
spears The points su dive'gipg towards the apex
twr ed with gsudy feathers placed At the foot Of the
throre srd nterfsrei with view from the front
Candles wrapped in colored paper were burning front
Of tie alccve and pewter yesses containing long thin
pieces Of sandal wooc were ignted and emitted most
Su;siss' ''''' ''A' f'i''''' e''' paw 80
me religious services were conducted by about
OF the leacng II consisted merely Of walking
and dovI TIE ROOM batting at certain PLACES TO snesl
and bow TO the idol and to another 1hsr dress con
ertenoirg to he Zee and fastened around the walls. by
embroidered belt cape rorn over the shoulders.
With cap having red crown ard srn. brAss bali q.
top coupieted their official apparel One who appeared
70 higher dignity than the rest moved along es:b
rde Of the table from end Of the to the other
giving uverance TO low, mournul wall followed By two
",
from the throne both sides TO the door, They knelt
occasionay cushions phced the floor, ben ling 10
alteration 10 the efgy Til their heads ouc bed the
ground II would be cult to understand, ulch less
describe al the miIuti@ Of the forms son' . ''sh.
the god This performed in PROSTATE state, by
touching he forehead with the etoes and then placing
them at MS feet participant in the exercises wac
stood the left of the acove gave directions in loud
yoics and probably acted master OF ceremonies At
FIRE crackers were IL. o in the yard below and ia an
adjoining five musicians kept hidsous din with
drums gorgs and wooden trumpe.s. These exercises
prevail among the common people in Chins and
peat@d during the festival The poorer classes, Creased
In their best attire those of moderate blue
gowns reaching from the neck to the feet were sileot
spectators and as their women were entirely excluded
opportunity was afforded to observe what effect they
lad on the With few exceptions, whore some vo
taries and paid their alteration when tie
newly decorated II cannot be said much reverence sas
in taking smoking ana drinking tea The levi.y Their
behavior did not bet ken much fot the object
they surrounded With much nsgnifcsnce IL is diff.
suit to comprehend how people 50 enlightened so az
vsnced 10 the march OF civilization bow down TO
stocks and stones They given 70 prevari,'tlon
and deceit that II "a not easy 10 know precise
Iy what the meaning OF the entire pro-
ceeding Among outside berbarIans mucb consrsriety
Of opinion existe but it s well known that the Chinese
hold vi the greatest tensctv their faith and private
dolaty has been carried siuce tnei arrival In this
State In the minds Of many, this festival II Is thought
IL used as try how far Christianity will toe,
rate the open worship Ct IDOLS There are men ia our
community who already feel alarmed, would adyo-
cate the most stringent laws TO extirpate tie whole
population IL it necessary TO be rid Of an
evil We have fallen upon such times that fears are
entertained lest In short space Buddhism NIGH gain
proeeytes among the Caucasian One iar stab.
Esbed: the followers Of Christianity receive ats
from the Chinese They will not depart th-a ul41-
ners an customs; they disdain to learn Ian
gusge, and By these avoid any approximation
people. Few Cinnamon leave their country With0dt
fixed design return and bring SACRIFICES the totnb
theirt ners. This respect for e,edants Is tbs key
o. their whole social system, and even the fe~