New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-10
BUDDHISM IN JAPAN.
THE MILITANT HONGWANJI SECT AND
ITS IMPERIAL SUPPORT
AN AGGRESSIVE MOVEMENT AGAINST CHRIS
TIANITY FoREsHADowED - THE STUDY
OF ENGLISH NOT INCREASING
Correspondence Of The Boston Transcript


Correspondence OF The Boston Transcript.
In The Transcript of September %, page %,
under Religious Interests" find several items
about Japan. l do not know your sources of in
formation and l may be stepping some
friends toes, but fear they somewhat in
exact First, 1 quote from your paper: 1T is
stated that there are fifty sects of Buddhism in
Japan alone and that they have now reached
their furthest limits, and Buddhism is destined
to disappear from the face of the earth" 1
think the estimate of sects is fairly correct, per-
haps little liberal but doubt the evidence Of
disappearance. Since l came to Kioto to take
up again the work of teaching English in the
Government college-a work which l began more
than thirteen years ago-I have learned some
thing Of the activity in Buddhist circles; and I
think see abundant evidence of renewed vital
ity. The strongest SubSectS are paying much at
tention to the education OF the people. In the
Eastern Hongwanji temple (Monto secp here
there is large school which is not restricted to
candidates for the priesthood nor Is it's currcu-
lum confined to religious instruction: it is fairly
well equipped in the departments Of modern
science and OF European languages. There are
other Buddhist schools here Gas we'll as all over
the empire) which are giving assistance TO the
common people in general education a scale
of fees much more liberal than that Of the Gov
eminent schools and colleges
The head of the Hongwanji is relative Of the
reignng family. and his plans. whether ecclesi-
astical or educational. have the support of the
imperial household. AS an evidence of the
from Chamberlain and Mason's Handbook for
Travellers may not be amiss "Shnran Shonin
Q113-l26o) was the founder OF the powerful
lkko sect of BuddhistS, also called Shinshu, or
Monte, whose splendid temples. known by the
name OF Hongwanji, or Monzeki, are among
the chief sights of the greater japanese cities
Hongwanji means the Monastery of the Real
Vow" in allusion to the VOW made 10y Amida
that he would not accept Buddhahood unless
salvation were made attainablc for all who
should sincerely desire to be born into his king
dom, and signify their desire by invoking his
name times 1t Is upon passage in a
Buddhist scripture where this VOW Is recorded
that the peculiar doctrine of the sect is based,
its central idea being that man is to be saved
by faith in the mercful power OF AInida, and
not by works vain rcpetiticnS of prayers.
For this reason. and also because It's priests
permitted 70 marry, this sect has some
times been called the Professionalism Of Japan.
In the year 1902 political reasons Caus"I a
split in the sect which since that time has been
divided into a western and an eastern branch
Nisht Hongwanii and HiSashi HonEWanjl each
branch owning a temple in every considerable
city. Shinran Shonin descended from the
imperial family. The ahhots Of the sect, there
fore. bear the title of Monzeki. or Imperial Oft
spring, while the walls enclosing its temples are
allowed the suji-kabe. or suji-b"i-strip"d plas-
ter tion-otherwtse reserved for build
ings inhabited by imperial princes During the
present reign. Shinran Shonin has been honored
by the bcstOwal of the posthumous title of Ken
shin Daishi. that is. the Great Teacher Who
Sees the Truth" While the State religion OF
Japan is supposed be Shinto. a Chinese word.
meaning the Way OF the Gods" which pro
fesses not to concern itself with moral teaching.
Follow your natural impulses and obey the
Mikado's DEGREES" II Will readily he seen that
with the imperial favor shown the ltonSWanJ
OF Buddhism, and the hroadness OF its
creed, the Christian missionaries have In 1t a
foe be feared If II deyotes itself and its ample
revenue to tina elevation OF the masses. and 1t
seems to be doing this in the establishing OF
schools for all classes hospitals and kindred in
situations OF charitable nature.
PRIESTS NOW STUDYING
Another evidence OF mIIitantsm Is that the
Buddhist priests are paying more attention to
the study of their religion than ever before. 1t
not long since that priest who could read
Sanscrit almost unheard Of and the canon
zeal books were sealed as much TO the clergy
as TO the laity. Education has never been a
marked attainment OF the buddhist priesthood
in Japan to be sure-no more here than in
China-and the service has been considered
somewhat n refuge rather than n holy call
ing: but there is a difference to-day. Laymcn
who have opportunities OF study which are su-
pcrior TO those Of most OF the lower clergy are
encouraged by the high priests and Buddhist
prelates to devote part OF their time to re-
search in Church lore and TO the Sanscrit Ian
guage. and then to impart their knowledge TO
the priests l have ALREADY met several scHoi-
who tell me that they are prosecuting their
study OF Sanscrit mainly for the benefit OF the
Buddhist clergy. and knowing that /, too am
devoting my spare time 10 that language they
appeal for advice and assistance. When
/ ask them II their object is controversial d.
rected against the Christian religion, they evade
a direct answer. but II Is perfectly patent that.
directly indirectly, that is the main purpose |
OF their studies. Rather than subscribe TO the
statement that buddhism IL destined To disap- |
pear from the face OF the earth (and OF course. |
take II that that means speedily | am strong |
inclined
aggressive movement by Buddhists led by
the japanese. against Christianity. 1t Is quite |
possible that, but for the restraining hand OF
the Government this movement would already
have begun. and that its beginning would nave
been marked. by more stringent legislation
against the evangelistic work of the Christian
missionaries, for something OF TINS kind mas
been done in the Diet. The growth OF Chris /
ttanity in Japan is lamentahly slow, and the |
consensus OF opinion Of missionaries Is that the
best they claim for their forty years OF
faithful Iabors is far less than they hnd hopsd
for. the very best Of ii Is seen, perhaps. In the
improved position OF women. That alone is a
success OF Christian civilization SUFFICIENT TO
commensurate for all that has been spent
Again l quote: Classes to learn English are |
being formed all over Japan. This will be a
great help to the missionaries In their work 1t
is thought that II will result in diminished In |
,erest I'm the study of Chinese literature All
who know will testify to my full sympathy
with the Christian missionaries. and to the fact
that In my sphere OF influence | nave gone all
T could to support them, and If differ from
some OF the statements made in that quotation
II Is not because do not wish from the bottom
or nv ,heart that they might be true In their |
fullest sense 1t is true that much attention is
being paid to the study of English. but 50 II Is |
in O measure with regard to other European |
languages and l fancy that II an exact state
ment could be prepared 1t would show that the |
percentage for English is not materially greater |
than II has been for years
ENGLISH NOT HELPFUL
do not really see how this study Of English |
Is going help the missionaries greatly, for II |
is beyond question that the best of their |
work is done among the people who do not |
understand English, and who do not care par |
ticularly to do a missionary Is reckoned |
of little good in PROSECUTING until he Is able to |
speak in japanese, to conduct his Bible classes |
and preach in that language The japanese |
are bad the Scotch in their antipathy for |
a read" sermon. and will listen more patiently |
to an extemporaneOus address that is brstng |
with grammatical, syntaC teal and rhetorical |
faults than to n carefully prepared, well thought |