The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-01-10

done, for nothing can be more incom- patible with the true principles of relig- ion.
 When some time ago Japanese Bud dhist temple at Annoy was burnt by the Chinese, we Buddhists being desirous to persuade the home government to re- frain from pressing the Chinese author ities on this particular account have re- nounced all claims for damages, and this we did simply with view to the discretion which we ought to exercise in the interests of religion.
 A glance at history shows that the great teachers of every religion in an- tiqulty, despite the persecution which they have incurred, have not only not displayed any spirit of hostility or re- venge, but on the contrary, have prayed l with compassion, to have the heavenly blessing bestowed upon the prosecutors. 1t is earnestly to be recommended, therefore, that we together with all the | propagators of religion in the world should be prepared to inspire ourselves with the noble spirit of the ancient sag es, and instead of holding inimical feel ings against the Chinese who have perpetrated so much havoc and atrocity upon the missionaries, should endeavor 1 to do good for evil, and supplicate a permanent blessing upon this pitiful ] race,
 The second proposition we have to submit to our venerable bretheren con- sists in withholding the missionaries in China from all forms of procedure which might possibly be regarded as | disturbing the social institutions of China.
 They must, in fact, be prohibited from any line of conduct SubVersive of the ancient customs and manners of China or derogatory to her laws, or liable to be recognized as producing abuses of nisprision through partially displayed toward the converts as against non-be- lievers-- proceedings which can in no way be reconciled wth legitimate doc trines of religion. True. the Chinese civilization is as yet rudimentary, and improvements may, in many respects be necessary in the customs and man. ners of the country Still, nothing can be a greater mistake on the part of for eigners than to attempt to overthrow the whole organization at one blow, with view to substituting their own customs and manners. China was early distinguished for her excellent etiquette and music and some of these admira- ble formaities are still preserved among the people,
 We Buddhists desire respectfully to submit the above two proposals to the ecclesiastical authorities of all nations, with the full conviction that should they, In accordance with our humble sentiments, be willing to take the course presented by us, the honest people of China will at once lay aside all suspic- ion and apprehension and appreciate with delight the intrinsic virtues of re- ligion.
 If so, the ruffians who seek to accom- | plish their selfish ends under the guise l of converts will eventually become un- able to do anything toward again dis | turbing the foreign religion, and the fu- | ture of the missionaries in China will be l as bright and smooth as the ocean in | spring. Then, too, the source of dis | turbance in China will become extinct, | and a new era of mental enlightenment | dawn upon the Chinese with every prospect of the reconcilia- l
  Then again, political as well as social institutions will become settled in per- feet order, and finally the four hundred million souls relieved from distress and affection, will be enabled to enjoy the benefits of the doctrine of universal be- nevolence, and the 400 provivers (prov- inces) of China, thus cleared from DOT tents of disaster, will ultimately secure for themselves a happy condition of pu- rty and tranquility, and the whole world would be filled with the sacred affulgence of peace and blessing in its utmost briliancy.
 Such really is the condition which we Buddhists of great Japan are anxious to see brought about in China and throughout the world
 (Signed) Representatives of the Great Japan Buddhists' Union, at their head quarters within the Kenninji temple In Kyoto, Empire of Great Japan.
 Genko Nakayama, Superintendent of
 the Tendai sect; Iukyo Cho, Super
 intendent of the Shingon sect; Kodo ]
 Hisata Superintendent of the Hiei ,
 gan branch of the Jodo sect Doku-
 tan Toyoda, Superintendent of the
 Nanzenji branch of the Rinzi sect;
 Koei Otani, Superintendent of the
 Otani branch of the Shin sect; Kor-
 in Yoshi, Superintendent of the
 Obaku sect. Oct. Ii, 3Srd year of Meij q9oW, ,--In- dependent.