Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-07
THE RIG-VEDA AT THE LOAN EXHIBIT
TION.
To the Editor of the Eagle.


To the Editor of the Eagle
Captain Wider has been misinformed in
regard to the nature of the most interest
ing fragment of an ancient book in his
collection now on exhibition at the room
on North Main street.
The Rig-veda is one of the sacred books
of the Brahmanical system of religious
belief, and not of the Buddhist religion.
The sacred cannon is divided into four COL
lections called veda; The Rig-veda, or lore
of praise and hymns; the Sama-veda, or
lore of tunes and chants, the Yagur-veda,
or lore of prayer, and the Artharva-veda.
| The uedic hymns were written 1000 or
1.500 years B. c., and like the sacred books
of als religions are ascrlbed to divine reye-
lation.
The religion of Buddha is of more recent
origin than Brahmanism. being the out
growth of the ethical and philosophical
teachings of Gantama Buddha, the son OF
the chief of an Aryan clan, which existed
in the fifth century before Christ. There
are many sacred books of Buddhism, one
of which. the Kuddaka Patha, has been
translated and published by Prof. Childers
oil the Royal Asiatic society.
Under the BrahmaniCal religion the
whole Indian nation has become bound
by an ison system of caste. Buddha was
therefore hailed as a savior of his people.
| His religion from the first addresses itself
| to the many: the rich, the poor, the learned
and the slave, the Brahman andl the peas
ant.
The loan exhibition affords the means of
a liberal education and should be patron
lied by teachers and pupils. Many his
torical fact and truth of natural history
could be pleasantly impressed on the
Young mind by these object lessons. Cap
tain Eidler's collection Of brlc-a-brac and
curiosities is indeed priceless and well
worth an hour or two's study. Mr.. Cooper
is Justly proud Of his geological and geo
logical specimens. He has besides many
valuable articles, the history of which he
takes great pleasure in explaining. Did
you think the coral insect only worked in
the sea? Then go and see the work of the
mud coral from Hot Springs and hear Mr..
Cooper discourse learnedly about the stone
lilies.
The archaeological absurdity known az
a mermaid, is evidently of the family OF
pediculati, whose fins are perfect organs OF
walking-but the head OF this most singu-
lar specimen is the puzzle TO students
For the youthful admirer Of dime-noveI
heroes there is the breast plate worn by
the desperate Kip Queen, made Of clumsy
iron and weighing at least twenty-five
pounds, showing the im2rints OF bullets
on its surface.
Among the dainty articles IS a sa.chei
bag made entirely from the downy seed Of
the cotton weed.
Those interested in fine china should see
the specimens Of royal Dresden and other
rare ware.
Mrs Daniel Sherwood has some curious
articles Of ''ye olden iyme."
There Is plenty Of fun for the gay az this
exhibition. For instance. a paper weigh.
on which all Of Mrs. Jennie Blacks chill
dren cut their teeth.
4 swaTthy bead bedecked figure is
Sraveiy shown a. the oTig inal she O.
Rider HsggaTd's fertile brain
The ladies should make arrangements u
continue their exhibition indefinitely T.
They wish % raise $50 for the hospital
and IL IL generally the custom OF affairs q
the kind 10 give the public ample tame 70
visit tie curiosi.ass