The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-03
THE BONES OF BUDDHA
Their Removal to Japan Probably
A Money-Making Plan.
Incidents of His Life Similar to
Those Given in Scriptural Tradi-
tiOns of Jesus Christ - Different
Opinions of Oriental Students Con-
corning the Time of His Birth.


Buddha will be sent from Siam to Japan
| that extensive preparations ays making
for their reception, and that an elaborate
structure will be erected for their perma.
nent housing, has been widely circulated
and has caused much comment.
The Japanese Consul General, wher
| asked regarding the matter said that hi
had no official knowledge of the contem-
plated transfer, but he thought it might
possibly be scheme on the part Of tome
| of the Buddhist priests in Japan to raise
money.
There are many Buddhists in Japan,
he said. land these are divided into many
sects, just as Christianity is divided into
sects and churches. The Buddhists belong
for the most part to the lower or working
classes, and may easily be imposed upon
with bones and similar religious relics.
Their priests, having priests in other
countries in mind, have probably decided
on the scheme for mercenary motives.
have no doubt they will collect much
money
bdNiu SlChelS. WHO llNtu LII Sidiu
number of years, speaking Of the trans
portation of the bones of Buddha with
ceremonial pomp from Siam to Japan,
said:
This remarkable statement will sur
prise many Oriental students who are
familiar with the history and traditions
OF the Buddhistic order.
I'm order that one may fully appreciate
the absurdity of the statement contained
in the article referred to, 1t should be
known that the bones of Buddha never
we.e inferred In Siam, and, even IL they
had been, the Siamese are such profound
believers in the ancient faith of the Great
Enlightener, as Sir Edwin Arnold has en-
titled him, that they would never consent
to their removal to any other country, and
they are SO conscientious in their devotion
to their religious faith and to all of its
sacred traditions that they could not be
induced by any consideration to dispose
of such precious relics, even II they ex-
listed. But the bones of Buddha do not
exist anywhere today, and in all probable
ity were consumed soon after his death,
according to the ancient records, as con-
tained in the Tibetan annals:
When the Blessed One expired the mighty earth
was shaken; thunderbolts did fall, and the gods
in the sky did shrek, and when the earth quaked
Rajagriha thought what might be the reason,
and he saw that the Blessed One had passed
away. Then Mallas asked that seven days be al
lowed them to get everything ready for the fu-
neral. On the seventh day. having prepared
golden bier and got together all the perfumes, gar
lands, and musical instruments, they went out OF
the town to the Sala Tree Grove, and they car
ried his body the western gate of the city, and,
having replaced the cover of the coffin, the fire
burso forth from the pile and consumed the body
When the Buddha had been consumed the Mallas
Ax. ovI In nlIrtz
in an Indian vase, and they placed 1t on the
golden bier, and, having honored it with perfumes
and the sound Of music, they took II to kusnara.
1T is the consensus of opinion among
Oriental scholars and the highest suthori-
ties in Buddhistic lore, as well as the tes-
timony contained In the records among the
Samese and Cingalese. that Sakyamuni
Gautama Buddha died a natural death
when he was about eighty years OF age,
and that this event occurred during the
reign of Adazathat. According to Sir Ed
win Arnold, Buddha was born about $40
years b. c., and died in 542; but Prof. Max
Muller, who may be regarded as the msst
trustworthy authority in such matters,
maintains that the tine of Buddhas birth
was 553 years B. c. There seems 10 be
considerable diversity of opinion among
Oriental students upon this subject, but
think they generally agree that he was
born some time between $50 and 900 years
before the birth of our Saviour.
according to the legends Of the Buddha
as derived from the Pail and Sarzcrit texts,
as well as from the sacred books of the Or
der especially those found In the royal l.
brary of the King of Siam at Bangkok, it
would appear to be well established fact
that Buddha was born IN the little village
of Kapclavastu, where he was known as
Sakyamuni the Wise. His father was Q
rajah Of Makadia and chief of one of the
Aryan tribes.
According to the Siamese version of the
life of Buddha, which is doubtless the COM
mingling of uncertain historical Ie:ards
with ancient legends, it was predicted by
the Brahmins that he would prove bless
ing to the world and enjoy great pros
perity. During his early boyhood it is
stated that he visited a sacred temple to
worship. and there, II is alleged, he as. on-
ished the most learned doctors by his IN
Outstanding and his answers. Subsequent
ly he was baptized with water and after
ward with fire, thereby becoming entirely
cleansed from earthly impurity.
During his early manhood he was led
by a spirit, according to the Siamese YER
sion, into the wilderness, where he was
subjected to great temptations. Suisse
quently he wandered from town to town
throughout India. proclaiming his won
drous doctrines of peace to the people, and
performing numerous miracles wherever
he went 1t is a remarkable fact that,
with the exception of the cruciixion, al
most every prominent incident in the life
OF Jesus Christ is to be found narrated In
the traditions of the life of Buddha
"Buddha was undoubtedly the Joy of
India. His prophetic words were mes
sages of peace and his mission was that OF
love, never undertaken before by any of
the worlds great reformers, and only sur
passed by Him who proclaimed Peace on
earth, and good will to men,
During his early ministry he began
preaching in Benares. Thence he Jour-
neyed to other cities and villages in the
valley of the Ganges-a prince. Jet
mendicant, clothed in tattered
garments. begging his daily food at the
doors of the lowly bungalows, and every
where proclaiming the principles of
higher life, and commanding his disciples,
Go we likewise and preach the most ex-
cellent law to every creature
I'm a short time the fame Of this i'm
pressive preacher and his marvellous doc
trines extended to remote sections of India.
His zeal, his complete self-renunciation,
commingled with the intellect, gentleness
and benignity of his character his godlike
wisdom. his resistless eloquence, and his
manly bearing, together with his personal
beauty, added a peculiar force to the doc
trines that he taught, and filled the hearts
of all who beheld him and listened to his
matchless utterances.
Immense crowds followed him in his
wanderings. and were delighted to hear
the sweet and soothing words that fell
from his magic lips. Thousands upon
thousands in every district became his
faithful and loving followers. What
Raphael and Michael Angelo did for art
during the era of the Renaissance; what