Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-03-20
For the Democrat
THE TEN GREAT RELIGIONS.


THE TEN GREAT RELIGIONS.
NO. III.
! Buddhism, popular religion originated
in Northern India. about COO years before
the christian era. The believers in this
doctrine hold that innumerable BudJha>
have appeared 20 save the world; among
them. one OF the present period named
Gautama. was born of Maya, a virgin, wife
OF King Suluhodance. Very ancient leg
ends inform u. that while existing IN the
fourth heaven. he determined TO save the
world. and chose 70 be born OF woman,
Tor the purpose OF visiting the earth and
teaching man his duty to himself and fel-
low creatures.
/ He descended from heaven. and was
born amid great miracles; attended, and
wor,hipped by p,ous men from afar-after
meditatiug upon the variety Of worldly
happiness, aud the miseries OF mankind, as
seen by himself he len his fathers, a pal
ace aud became an auStere hermit per-
/ forming the most rigid peuances. Sever
al years elapsed in preparing for his mis-
| sion. until seated under tree, wrapped
I in profound contemplation, not having
moved for day and a night, facing the
east. he discovered the science which was
to rescue mankind from uum5erless woes.
I The spot where stood the tree, was con
sidered sacred 1900 years afterwards.
Buddha became teacher, explained the
good law" which i one OF grace for all,
lGordlng protection and happiness to meu
and women. boys aud girls, rich and poor.
Whenever he appeared 10 proclaim his
doctrine, persons OF all classes and ages
focked around him, together with the
rulers OF the people who seuearlly became
converted with their subjects, thus laying
a foundation for the most prevailing relis-
ion the world has ever Known.
The duties erjoined upon all true believ-
ers, require patience, endurance, love for
their enemies, kindness aud mercy towards
animals, provide shelter aud food, be hos
pitable TO strangers, abstain from even de-
/ feuSlye warfare, 20 show no intolerance,
to despise no religion or practice persecu-
tons against their fellow men. These
virtues are not surpassed even by the per-
feet code, taught by the saviour GOO years
afterwards.
Buddhism appeals wholly to human rea-
son and seeks not 20 save man from fu-
ture but a present bell. The doctrine has
never been propagated by the sword Of
/ the conQueror, or depended for success
upon the DISSEMINATION and frauds OF
priestcraft He told the people that
purity, brotherly love and repent
ance were better than sacrifices. Like
Jesus, he was the poor mans teacher, and
chose his followers from the common
classes, even from the poorest woman.
Such was the influence of his doctrine, it
carried civilization to many savage
tribes, corrected cruel customs, and
dispensed innumerable blessings in many
parts OF the world.
TransmigratiOn, was prominent belief
among all BuddhistS. According to Pytha-
goras, a Grecian philosopher $50 years be-
, fore Christ, the souls of men are moving
numbers, capable of combining with any
other body, and at death they passed into
some animal organization, and there i'm
prisOned as punishment for past evil
deeds. Gautama taught the only way 10
prevent the endless round OF metempsycho-
SIS could be achieved by preventing the
soul from being born again. This desire
can be accomplished by well ordered,
Hirraaa which implies fual repose or eter-
nal salvation.
Buddha, in the doctrine he taught, did
not recognize the existence OF God, con-
sidering mankind and the brute creation.
the special objects of his mission on earth.
Il is presumed that after his death at the
SOth year Of his age, (543 years B. c.,
like 0den of Scandinavia, he was deifed
by his followers, and ever since worship
ped as a God to whom their prayers are
addressed. They are in many places S
devotional people, frequently holding pray
er meet ngs in the streets as in Thibet
aud other countries. Their Priests, il
some respects, are unlike those of chris
tian countries. They are poor, and gain
a substance by the aims collected from
the laity. Therefore none enter the
priesthood except from religious mo
tiyes. In reality, they are the under stra
ia or groundwork of society, while in
christian communities the laity, common
people, and laborers, are the foundation OF
which priests, tyrants and demagogues
have erected the fabric of political and re
|. ligious despotism, whereby almost entire
communities become plant tools to pro
, mote unholy and selfish purposes. The
!. clergy were made the corner stone, or ba
sis of Buddhistie society, whereas, in 9th
er creeds, the lsity upholds the hierarchy
which repOses upon them. Originally
Buddhism was humane and benevolent il