, 1876-11-05

In previous issues of Tile SUNDAY TRIBUNE
| We have examined two systems Of Chinese
religion, n,-Confncianism the moral, which
deals with ethics, good government, and the
conscience; and Buddhism, the metaphys-
ical, which deals with transmigration and
the future state. To-day We take up the
next most important religion, Tauism, the
materialistic, which, in brief, may be
summed up as the theory of prolonging life,
upon the basis that all matter is eternal.
Tauism originated with LAo-1s, philos-
opher, born B. c. COL, contemporary with
CoNFuc1us. His origin is somewhat unique
According to popular belief, LAo-Gs existed
as principle anterior to the creation. Al
ter the evolutions Of thousands Of years, this
principle was personified in deity called
the "Holy Ruler Of Wonderful Nonentity."
After innumerable ages and catastrophes, he
appears as the "Holy Ruler of Wonderful
Entity" By another mysterious evolution,
be turns up several thousand years after as
the "Holy Ruler Of Chaotic Confusion"
After the creation of man, he appears
upon this earth at various times in
the form Of Kings of different dynasties.
His appearance as LAo-rs, the philosopher,
is the most remarkable. One day he slid
down from the sky On a sunbeam in the form
Of ball Of variegated colors into the mouth
Of q sleeping virgin. After q period Of
eighty-one years CESSATION he was born Of
IN Immaculate conception, and, as at his birth
his hair was already white from age, he Was
named LAo-rs, which, translated, signifies
" The Old Boy" It will be noticed that, in
this unique succession of experiences that
happened to 1.-THE Old Boy" We have the
theory of evolution, the heathen Pantheism,
and the Scriptural doctrine of Trinity and
the creation Of matter out of nothing. The
element of Tauism is material
ism, which, in its development, includes q
professed science of alchemy and astro1ogy.
It regards matter as eternal. It's grosser
forms tend downwards, constituting the solid
material of the world; the more refined es-
sences soar into the heavens and assume the
form of stars. Applying the theory to man, the
body goes tothe earth and the soul reappears
as star. It composes the universe of five
elements,-metal, wood, water, fire, and
earth, the sublimated essences Of which
form five planets that can take the form of
gods and descend to the earth upon their
various benevolent Missions In connection
with this system, alchemy investigates the |
essences Of matter, and ages have been spent |
BY the Tauists in searching for the elixir that |
will make life immortal and youth perpetual, |
md for the philosophers stone that will
substances into gold, thus show
ng that the Chinese as well rs other nations
1ave their PONCE DE Icons and FAusrs.
Astrologv, which is also connected with
fauism, fulflls the same purposes in China
Is in other countries.
Taulsn has numerous idols deposited in
emples very similar to those of the Bud
'hists. The most important one is Lu-1su,
he Goddess Of Mercy, from whom the people
'eg prescriptions in time of sickness. LuE-
AuNe and LUE-Po are the Thunder-God and
lib wife. LuE-KUNd produces the thunder
nth hammer and drum, and LuE-po
he lightning by the reflections of mir
ors attached to her hands and ceet. The
lght~handed TAu-Mu has the power of short
ming aud prolonging life. SAy-TsNG CON-
aumcates instruction to mankind, and SAM
WAN rules heaven, earth, and sea. The
amiliar dragon Of the Chinese is one of the
DDS Of Tauism, and his domain embraces
'ater IN all its forms. The principal dragon
Hal LUNG HwASe, the Sea-Dragon King.
mo has host of small dragons attending
pom him. The relative stations or Identities
these small moustera are determined bv
ompehtlVe examination that shows the
1ong hold the system has upon the Chinese
eople- The examination is held every three
ears the competitors being fish, crabs.
'tues' 1obsters, and snakes, and the test
eng to jump over high wall Those who
lcceed are elevated, and those who fail are
lied There is also the Tu-r1 PoosaH. or
artn-God' who, like country constables.
IS the charge Of small neighborhoods, mud {
found at every roadside There are also ]
e s1ES-71s, or genii, beings who, by certain
ecaut1ons' escape death, and, with ethereal J
'o1es' enjoy an uninterrupted existence of :
eamy happiness, to attain which three :
lngs are necessary the cultivation ~ tho