New-York tribune., 1897-07-04
4 MESSAGE FROM ASIA,

TO the Editor or 1he tribune.
Sir Travelling 1900 miles. have come to you
bringing the good wishes Of my people I'm Asia
Since my arrival in September last I have visited
many places In different parts Of the Union, and
have met with kindness and hospitality The more
| travel the more find that on this soil OF noble
freedom there IL element that Is wanting-A
proper conception Of religion. Political freedom
there Is; but the politician. well the theo-
ogian ia lacking In the appreciation OF that noble
freedom OF individuazing thought
As the messenger OF peace and goodwill and
the representative OF Asiatic Buddhists TO the Par
lament OF Religions. have TO announce that mill
ions OF my people hurled down the precpitous
abyss Of premature death by the demon Of alco-
hole drink and narcotics introduced by the civil
zirg pioneers Of Christendom a religion that Is
universal has in It the elements Of universe lism
II must make man a noble. free individual. This
element OF Iniversalism Is lacking In monotheistic
religions. well as in the pantheistc and poly
theistic cults.
The sociological development that is seen in the
present state of society. the increase of drunken
ness insanity diocy and crime. is due TO causes
generated by people who have had no idea OF the
universal laws that in operation. Sensualism
goes hand In hand with the philanthropic efforts of
sentimental humanitarans but the laboiism re-
mains unaffected. Bohemian bacchanal lila nism is
the cult of the rich and unutterablc poverty is
seen among the poor: lower class dressed In rags
picking the refuse Of the garbage-box. while hun
dreds lie down in silence unable 10 express their
hunilatins condition tnroush mG9desty These are
Of things exist? institutions for the feeble minded
and and Six das in the %ek
the sa .oons are In active operation. while the doors
20 for e fw hours once in seven days Children are
taught once In seven days to believe In the stories
lore. that the whole world will be damned II the
is not 1scGped % as he M hcss syoI of the world
matics are aside as fables, giving pace 10 the
sud Of the s II and
yelops unhealthy predisposi,tons leading to hyp-
noss ana spSa nd
hypocrisy is the sin against ruth Are we human
pecs peinfs or in metarhyscs and theology An enght
ened people would not tolerate the sale or manu-
foreign governments to send such products to our
shores 4 revenue that Is taken by selling alec:
H esa reysnus prolific SI.,s cause & Of insanity and
perimenta osychologists have proved this. Stop
the Government, show that It is a righteous gov
ernment by using every meth9d to prevent It's ex
RHiedir RilIed by European liquor introduced to Asac
countries since the introduction Of so,cal!ed Chris
TIC religion based on universal laws? Why should
m his 6ener eRds @ dSr hs fks of of y
Christ practical or are they not? II not. Christi
ar or'i N Asa is fe OF sef-abneGation and mercy
possible? a religion that cannot make man good is
ChrIst's religion Is n living religion. I believe
nrmIy in the principles OF Chrisi's ethics having
lived ND 10 them: and | have come from Asia 10
ioin hands with the good people OF America TO work
FOR the amelioration Of the people here and In Asia
and euanclpaie them from the demon OF drink and
cruelty. A.
Theologjcal Christianity has no power to elevate
man hui psychological ethics have. Psychological
ethics have been preached by the two religious
founlers-B -Buddha and Christ My desire is 10
found sc hool for the study OF practical ethics and
Psychology, where earnest. truth-loving young men
and women may study free from all dogmatics and
ihooogies and where they may live up 10 the prln-
cipes OF the higher HE The far-reaching influence
OF such an organization Is incalculabe. Asia looks
up TO you as example. OF hish religion. have
piedged my life for humanity, and there u no
greater religious work that see than enllghten
man and emancipate him from ignorance Po-
ltcal freedom you obtained on July 4. 1875 and
an, here TO proclaim the independence from religious
dogmns. May the coming anniversary OF independ-
cncc he the foundation OF this religious freedom,
| hope remain In your country III! September
next and II receive the sympathetic co-operat lon
Of the noble minded people ] shall give my services
10 this glorious work which shall be Initiated In
January OF next year II. DiARMAPALA.
New-York. June 20. 1897.