New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-12-23
q. Dharmapala, the Disciple Of Buddha,
Brings Message from the
Orient.
He Tells Of a Religion that is Pure, Simple
and Full of Love and Peace.
He Chides the Western World forit Back
wardness of Thought and Pleads
for the Religion of Un-
selfshness.
An Interesting Discourse that was Lis.
tened to BY a LARGE Audience
with UlOse Attention.

Coming from the distant orient, dressed
in his long yellow robes, and preaching
the philosophy Of the great Buddha,
Anagarika Fl. Dharmapala, al Turner
Hall on Friday evening, was indeed a
subject Of unusual interest.
1t Was the same Dharmapala, who
had created a whirlwind of admiration
at the Parliament of Religions in Chica-
go three years ego. He is tall, kind
and intelligent looking, and even elo-
quent. When he arose to speak in that
august assemblage at. Chicago, where
were gathered together the representa-
tives of all known religions, the people
expected little. Of course he was hea-
then, and the Christians were sending
missionaries to his far, away home to
convert just such as he. But as he pro-
ceeded with his address he excited the
closest attention.; when he told of the
purity and nobility of his religion, there
was surprise and keen admlration; and
when he concluded, there was an out
burst of applause. y:
So it was at Turner Hall. The audi
ence was the largest ever gathered to-
gether in this city to hear a lecture.
Many undoubtedly came oat,of !curiosi-
ty; all went away impressed 'With the
remarkable character of the man and
the beauty and loftiness of his teachings.
He preluded his remarks with a brief
statement Of the object of his visit. He
had observed the marked similarity be-
tween the fundamental teachings of
Christ and those of Buddha and it was
his desire to encourage a sympathetic
exchange of thought between Buddhists
and Christians all over the world. 1t
was an Hc1culean undertaking, he rea-
lized, but one that he felt would some
day be accomplished.
Then he told of his visits to lands
where Buddhism is the prevalent relig igion,
and spoke of the hospitality, freedom
and advanced state OF the people. He
himself came from Ceylon, an island,
whose Inhabitants, Notwithstanding
great persecution, had maintained their
individuality and religion for Thousands
Of years. India he referred to as the
land of living wonders. Its customs,
religion and civilization had not changed
in three thousand years. He had read
in the Buddhist books of strange and pc
culiar religious beliefs existing among
the ancient Hindoos. by travel, he had
found the same beliefs existing there
to-day. He described some of them -
the ascetics the agnostics; those who be-
lieved that salvation was to be secured
by leading the life of fowls, bats or
dogs; those who believed in self-morti-
fcation; and those who gave implicit
obedience to the mysteries of Brahmini-
Cal ceremony. Buddha found them all
existing in his time and IN addition
thereto the other extreme the skeptic,
who was also the sensualist. Fer twen-
ty-n1ne years he experienced the life of
the latter, but it did not satisfy him.
Then he went to the other extremes -
ascetlcism and self f-mortihcation. These
too failed to give him the peace of mind
that he sought for, and he labored to
discover a philosophy that would afford
a happy mean. His efforts resulted in
those wonderful teachings that have in.
tiuenced the entire eastern world - in
fact the religions Of all the world. Here
Dharmapala pointed out bow Buddha's
preaching had had an appreciable effect
upon the religion Of the Greeks, the Chi
nese and the Jews, how it had caused the
Hebrew prophets to alter their Jehovah,
and how it had been reflected SIX huns
dred years later in the teachings Of Christ.
The speakers comparison. Of Buddha
and Christ was unique. Buddha, lie said,
advocated the throwing away Of all GER
emonies and old beliefs. and the accept
ance OF nothing that did not conform to
reason and truth. He wanted the people
to think for themselves and to- do good
because it was naturally right to do SO
and to refrain from DONG eyilfo the