The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-06-06
Another StVuDr Sermon IN The
Prophet Chain.
.sUOOHA AND HIS RELIGION
iFrom Mondays Daily.)


Rev. w. NJ. Kincaid preached the
fourth Of his series of sermons on "The
Prophets of the Worlds Great Re-
ligions" last evening at the Central
Union church. The evenings subject
was "Buddha, the Light of ASIA" and
the text John 81, THAT was the true
Light which lighteth every man that
cometh into the world
1t was in India that the great re-
ligion of Buddha had its birth. It\had
its origin in a rebellion against the
moral tyranny Of Brahmanism and
today 1t stands forth as one of the
greatest human forces ever set to work
Beginning as a system of ethics it had
no temple, creed or dogma. Today 1t
is looked upon as one Of the six great
religions Of the world and Buddna is
considered one of the worlds great
prophets.
Myths and legends cluster thickly
around the son of India born In the
midst of the vast country drained by
the Gauges. in the year $50 B. c. Born
of royal mother he was called The
All-PrOsperous One" But one day
sage took him in his arms and de-
clared he should be named Buddha.
Thus he has been known to the ages
that have passed. Tender and gentle,
quick to detect suffering, he shuddered
at the mutual murder from man to
man." At last, having lost faith in the
religion around him he renowned his
royalty and went forth. Crownless
and homeless he wanders away from
the companionship of kings and the
power of his throne. "All my soul is
sick with pity for the world" he
mourned
He believed that the curse must be
lifted from the heart of man by man.
From the doctrines of the Brahmin
priests he turns in vain to philosophy
and finally appeals to nature. He
teaches that the grief which comes to
all grows less to everyone. At a sac
rifice he pleads for the life which all
can take but none can give. With the
law that pity and need make all flesh
kin he breaks through the rules of
caste.
Sorrow Is universal. he admitted
Undue desire Is the cause, he eX-
pounded. Conquer love of living and
the lusts Of the flesh and you conquer
sorrow, he taught. His great COM
mandments. Thou shalt not kill, steal,
lie, intOxicate," parallel the laws of
Moses.
Notwithstanding the myths and leg
ends that gather about him, of one
fact we are sure, and that is that 24OO
years ago there did arise in India a
stately soul towering high above the
tinsel trappings of royalty and with
firm, yet loving hand, reached through
the ironclad caste, declaring that all
men are brethren. He taught mercy
and how to lead good life, not by
threats Of hell, but by nobleness and
goodness.
Hardly was he dead before the pro-
cess Of dedication set in. His follow
ers collected his sayings and built
temples In his name. His bible has
been translated into many languages.
Its teachings parallel those of the New
Testament, and the great moral truths
are similar In both. Today over forty
of the worlds millions are followers
of Buddha. Compared to Buddhism
other creeds are youthful. His teach
ings are the hottest and most benefi-
cent Of all with the single exception
of those Of the Christ. The beIiavars
OF Buddhism receive missionaries will
inely, but they do not tolerate any
thing disrespectful OF their great
light, DO not speak slightingly of our
Lord Buddha. We love to hear the
story OF your Jesus. To us he is the
fairest OF the fair. But do not belittIe
our great Buddha. who is also very
iair In our eyes," said one of the Bud
dhists.
To beautify today. to sanctify the
present, and death to every form OF
seiishness was taught by this light OF
ASIA And as We study the words OF
mis- great teacher who lived in ages
dim and distant, the heart bows with
love and faith and death TO selfish
ness"