The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-03-10

a eAOAN NR1 viz ~iiAAiS' E'lAJDANLls IA LIZ II
It discusses the probability of large EN-
gration from the Flowery Kingdom to
the . S, ami claims that they ar
likely to become converts to the Catholic
Church, and ur ges its point as follows:
I he Chinese problem has become an
interesting one and as religion is he
strongest sentiment of the human soul,
we propose to consider The religious bear
ing Of this problem. -e
We take it as universally conceded
hat our Chinese population will be as
religions in this country as they are At
nome. We take it, also, as beyond dis
pute that they will either transplant
Buddhism into this country, and erect
temples for that worship, or they will be
lrawn INTO the Catholic Church. Taking
this for grant, d, We will give some rea-
,ons to show that they will all becom,
Catholic, except, perhaps, in here and
here a locality where they may be very
numerous and not very closely IN contacl
with the Ca holic worsh p.
The great argument 90 which we rely
is the almost exact likeness Of Ca 'holo-
ism t., Buddhism In moral doctrines
chere is no difference, and they can very
readily substitute che Christ Of the Cath
Ollie Church for the Bdddha Of their own
religion.
Then as to forms, ceremonies, symbols,
aud worship, the Chinese will find them
selves quite at home in Catholic Cathe-
dral. We give the points in which they
correspond, and the enumeration will bt
found to cover almost every thing in the
worship of the two religions-so much SO.
indeed, as to be almost conclusive of the
fact that Catholicism as an organization
was copied from Buddhism. We note
the following
1. The monasfic and ascetic life Of.
Buddhism is the same as that of Catholi
cism for the first twelve centuries of the
church, and as il is now in more barbar
Gus countries
g. Except apostles and very holy men
Buddhist monks shave their heads as 90
Catholic moaks-the former shave every
new and fnll moon.
g. Buddhists havea rosary of 108 beads
and the following prayer is said at each
bead: Il t,ke refuge in Buddha;
take refuge in Dharmma | take refuge
in Sangha." Every one knows about the
rosary in the Catholic church, and the
prayers at the counting of the beads.
4. There are Buddhist mendicants pre-
cisely like a similar class that was so
marked feature IN Romanism for fifteen
hundred years-mendicants who take
aims for love of Buddha, without ask /
ing, the giving OF which is regarded as a /
favor to the giver for his souls good, rath
er than to the receiver.
5 AS among the Catholics, so among
the Bnddhists, the monks at first wan
iered about, but soon converts with cells |
were established for them Buddhist
have numbered as high as
SO, coo monks. Read Ehe history Of the
dark and middle ages Of Catholicism
g. Celibacy is strictly enjoined on the
monks of Buddhism, while it is strictly
enforced upon the priests in Catholicism.
z. Poverty is the law for single monks,
though monasteries may receive wealth
to any extent for the support Of religion,
precisely the same as in Catholicism
The uncle of St. Bernard, on being con-
verted by his lllustrious nephew, threw
down his dignity as a lord, abandoned
his retainers, and gave his castle and cs-
tate to a monastery in order 20 assume the
cowl and the frock Of monastic poverty
and purity.
8. Buddhists confess their sins twice /
a week to four prests-while single
p riest is sufficient in Catholicism.
8. Not only has Buddhism confession
al, but penance is as marked a feature
as in Catholicism.
10. Buddhism, like Romanisnl, has nuns
who shave their heads like the monks
and dress in white We believe Catho
lie nuns do not shave their heads, and /
that they dress IN black instead of white.
We prefer the Buddhist style of dress for
a nun.
II. Relics are as paipahle feature OF
Buddhism as Catholicism.
10. Pontifcal robes, like those of Cath
olic Priests and Bishops, distinguish the
Priests OF Buddhism and the Lamas
whose Worship is a branch of Buddhism.
Is. Paintings, garlands, banners, tapes
tries and allegoric representations adnrn
the Buddhist temple as they do the Cath
Ollie church.
IA. Fumigations, Examinations, music,
bellrlnging, and many other things sim
liar to those practiced in the Roman
church distinguish the Buddhist worship.
We knwo not whether whole congre ga
lions of deyout people have burned up in
! Buddht illumination, as was the case
Two years ago at Valparaiso
Is. Like the Catholics the Buddhists
nave great festivals, one which celebrates
he birth of Buddha, corresponding pre-
,isely to our Catholic Christmas.
Is. Mass isa portion of Lama worship,
nd we suppose also of the Buddhist.
Iasses are said for the repose of souls.
low like the Catholics in this.
II. Buddhism has It's conseerated wa