The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-07

We Judge we shall be judged, and with what
measure ye mete it shall be measured 10 you
again"
To the multitude he spoke: Eye are the
light of the world" Elsewhere / read that
"when he saw the multitude he was moved
with compassion"
For whosoever shall do the will OF my
Father which is in heaven the same is my
brother and sister and mother"
The elements of universal religion found
in the verses l have quoted, and as they were
in perfect harmony with the teachings OF
Buddha decided to give portion OF my SER
vices to Christ. and in the spirit CT truth, love
and Observation-Disclosures principles OF my re-
ligion-I stand here to-day 10 work with the
followers of Christ in combating the evils OF
drink, Strengthening OF animals, and selfish
ness.
The only universal religion which is the
elder sister of Chris DAINTY is Buddhism, which
has existed for twenty-four centuries IN A ia
and which is now being seriously studied by
Western scholars on account of its profound
philosophy
The founder of this religion is Gautama, the
Buddha, whose beautiful life mas been made
familiar by Edwin Arnold to English readers
in his immortal epic, the Light of Asia !"
The philosophical side OF Buddhas religion
has been clearly shown in the INTRODUCTION 10
1.-The Gospel OF Buddha," by DR.. Paul Carus,
and 81. c. Warren in his Buddhism in Trans
lations" Harvard University, has, for the
first time, translated the original Pail texts to
show the psychology OF Buddhism. DR.. Hop
kins in his ''Religions of India says:
1T was the individual Buddha that capti-
waited man; ii was the teaching that emanated
from him that fired enth usiasm ;itwas his posi-
ton as an aristocrat that made him accept
able to the aristocracY; his magnetism that
made him the idol of his people. From every
page stands out the strong, attractive person
atty of this teacher and winner of hearts; he
wandered among men simply and serenely,
speaking with ma lestlc sweetness, the master
to each, the friend 10 all His voice was sin
gularly vibrant and eloquent, his very tones
Convinced the nearer, his looks inspired awe"
Elsewhere he says:
''At least one thing may be learned from
Buddhism, 1t IS possible TO be religious with
out being d. vout. True Buddhism is the only
religion which, discarding all animism, con-
sists in character and wisdom. One must re-
nounce all selfish desire and live to build up
a character OF which the signs are purity, love
for all, and that courageous wisdom which Is
calm insight into truth. The Buddhist worked
out his own salvation without fear or trem-
bling. From the point OF view of the higher
morality one must confess that Buddhism
offers the best parallel to the best of to-day.
On the other hand, Buddhistic altruism eX-
ceedS all others"
Pure Christianity freed from ecclesiastical
dogmas and personal opinions of the early
church fathers and later reformers, is SUI
lime Ny desire is TO tell the people that the
help OF the priesthood and common tatoFs is
not necessary to understand Christs teach
ings, which he preached to the mult1tudes OF
Galilee and Judea. Surely we are not behind
in Intelligence and understanding to the
peasants OF Palestine. The pure figure OF the
Son of man has been obscured by the glitter
and unsel OF ecclesiaS tlcal ceremonlaIlsm.
The money lenders and sellers OF doves have
polluted the temple of truth. Religion is not
belief but life Immor tality consists in doing
noble deeds, not in vain repetltlons ana lip
prayer, and in tho making OF proselytes.
Buddhism teaches man to accept truth, not
authority. Revelation, priests tradition, au-
thority are not the criteTia OF truth. We &C
cept truth because on its own virtue, without
/, ar prejudice, hatred, and in a spirit OF In
quiry, we are asked 10 examine truth before
acce pting il. Buddha's great mission 10 the
world is to emanclpate the human mind from
the letters OF priestly theology, and to warn
the blind leaders of the blind.
1t is temple of truth that we want. with
Buddha and Christ as our examples, and am
extremely DESTROYS of laying the foundations
OF this new movement in the American Maha-
Bodhi Society, having truth as the lght to
guide US. The following are the objects OF the
organizations:
of thought between Buddhists and Christians.
~ To show TO man in the most impressive
way important truths taught in common by
various religions.
(3) To promote the love and worship of
truth and deepen the spiritof brotherhood in
the love and service OF man and compassion to
animals.
a. To indicate the reasons for mans faith
In immortality and 10 unite and strength hen
The forces which are averse TO a materlal1src
philosophy OF the universe.
~ To show that religion consists rot in the
observance OF meaningless ceremoniaIs, but
in the real cation OF the hoble, unseltish life
! by the practice OF mercy, charity, truth, pur.
| rlty, kindness and goodness.
The special work OF the movement is to
| organize band of un4elfish workers to preach
| he gospel of love and brotherhood and to
| elevate the masses in America and Asia. India
is the fertile soil Tor sewing the seed OF the re-
lig'on of love. Sectarian Christianity as
preached by European missionaries is a fail
ure. The methods hitherto maintained for
spreading Chris tian dogmatics must be aban-
doned. The millions OF money spent in print
ing tracts about nellfre, eternal damnation
ard eternal heaven may be utilized for noble
mission work in educating the poor as 1t is
done in America The work will be appre-
ciated by the people, and the motives being
pure. sympathy Will De created in the minds
OF the people Tor the religion OF Christ. The
| old methods OF reViling the gods and denounc-
| ing the customs of Hindoos retard all work.
The Christian missionary, to get the good viii
| of the people in India and i'll Buddhist couu-
! tries, should abstain from eating beef. 1t is
| onIy the GU tcasts that eat beef and drink wine
in India, and they are not admitted within
| the precincts OF the house OF even Sudra,
not to speak of Brahman. II is the customs
| and diet OF the Christian European which are
| looked on with abomination by all classes
OF Hindoos No religious teacher in India
| touches either OF them. He is the example
! of aScetism and goes 10 the extreme of morti-
| flying the body and the missionary goes to the
| opposite extreme OF leading the sensual life of
! the epicurean. Let the missionary adopt the
middle life; let him abstain from liquor and
| beef.
| The OK and the COW to the Asiatic Aryan are
useful the lendflCe OF lie. Inc TlCe IlRt
| he eats, the milk that he drinks, the butter
| that he uses is obtained through and from the
| COW. A special Characteristic of the Aryan is
| his loyalty and gratitude to all. Yadhisthir,
| the great king, it is said, had faithful dog
| which he took along with him wherever he
| went. The God of Heaven invited him to enter
! heaven; and Yadhis hir wanted that the dog
/ should be $50 admitted; but when his request
/ was refused, Yad histhir for the sake OF the
| dog, it is said, declined to enter heaven. The
Aryan appreciates the man who shows COM
! passion 10 DUMB animals. The OK is the COM
! panion of the god silva, and the Hindoos love
| the animal for two reasons, for its usefulness
and for the sake OF their god. 1t is an I'M
| pardonable crime TO kill the OK, and it is I'M
| just 10 destroy so innocent and useful an
animal. The European has all sorts of other
meals in the shape of mutton, fish, ETC., which
| he could eat i'll India, and l therefore advise
| that it would be well for the future propagation
even OF dogmatic Christianity if the European
| would bstain from beef.
The birth of the meek and lowly Jesus in a
table having an and OK for his compan-
| ions, surely ought 10 make the Christians
| think OF the significance of this word. 1t is
an objective fesson for the people 10 realize
| that he came TO stop sacrifice and preach COM
! passion. To the Aryan Hindoo, ii is all object
lesson to show mercy to our dumb brethren.
| In he name of him who wanted mercy and
| not sacrifice, appeal TO YOU TO show com pas
sion TO useful and innocer animals
| II. DHARMAPALA
General Secretary Maha- Bo4hl Society.