The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-15
THE ISLAND or CEYLON.
IT'S Condition ~ Presented by Huddhist
Now in This Country.


gives me an opportunity. in his letter In IHE
SIN of July 90 to emphasize the statements
made regarding my country and my couh-
trymen In the course OF an interview WIN
one of your representatives some time ago
am not, as he says, q member OF Chris
tian family. although some or my brothers
and sisters have been Christians for short
time Yes, brought several letters OF In
PRODUCTION from the American Consul and
others to prominent men in this country,
but am not aware OF the letter from his
parish priest. to which he refers specifically
Mr. de Livera says that the ruins at ANU
radhapura no more than merely suggest the
past greatness OF a degenerated nation. but
he does not deny their greatness nor the
high civilization to which they bear wit
ness. Allow me to tell you that the ruins
in question most eloquently attest the past
greatness OF our ancestors. European
writer has said that he examined those ruins
OF temples, palaces. baths &c. with intense
interest" and that as he looked on
Those temples. monuments and piles stupendous.
or which the very ruins arc tremendous.
he felt that the half had not been told him.
The e1auisitely prop0rtioned monoliths.
be says further. ARE here intact. and If they
were hewn and the capitals sculptured. as
seems certain, nearly twenty-five centuries
ago. then certainly the ancient founders
of Anuradhapura had the principles OF true
art and the sense of true beauty developed
in remarkable degree.
Let me add that these ruins are of interest
not only to the Archaeological and artist but
also to every thoughtful man and woman.
Seeing these wonderful ruins one cannot fail
to be impressed by the fact that the past
moulded the present and the present 10
moulding the future.
Mr.. de Livera says that I've civilization OF
our ancestors was entirely dus to the favor
able conditions under which the island was
placed" This is an erroneous statement. III
you only see the grand works of irrigation and
the extensive tanks that were constructed to
irrigate some parts Of the island which were
not arabic for want OF IA sufficient supply OF
water. you will readily form the conclusion
that much pains and care had been taken to
develop the country America IL rich In nat
ural resources beyond the widest fancies
but is your civilization entirely due to those
natural resources?
beg to make the assertion that the high
degree OF spiritual culture attained by our
ancestors. Of which there is not the least
doubt was due TO the teachings of Buddha.
1t is hard 20 convince the Christian bigots OF
this fact, because they look at Buddhism an
within and seeing things with an unbiased
mind.
1t is needless to say that the beautiful
teachings of Buddha have made u favorable
impression on the enlightened people OF
Europe and America. The new theory put
forth by Profs Crooks. Lodge and Curie.
based upon their studies OF the R0ntgen ray
and the phenomena shown by the recently
discovered radium. is wholly IN keeping with
the ancient tea chings Of the unity OF all things
There is not the least OSbt that the old truths
presented 20 the world by the Oriental teach
ers viii sooner or later prevail il the West.
Mr.. de Livera says that the missionary
the GOverninent schools. Ii is so. But ne
must not lose sight of the fact that there are
Buddhist schools as well. side by side. The
large number OF the young men and women
that come out Of these missionary schools are
Christians not by choice but by force OF cir
cumstanCes.
Ceylon are descendants Of Nhp people who
were called Government Christians. During
the time of the Portuguese and Dutch, a pro-
fes5ion OF Ghristianity was required 6ei9rs
pretended TO be Christians for the sake OF
pecuniary benefit, The children of these
Government Christians" who came under
the influence Of the missionaries very na'h-
rally became Christians
can safely say that large number OF the
enlightened Cingalese who call themselves
the case in Europe and America IL ls need
less TO say that the absence OF men, especially
the more intellectual and civilized. from the
churches in America IL quite conspicuous
Mr.. de l.ivpra says that "CeylOn is one OF the
greatest homiCidal countries IN the world.
His knowledge Of Ceylon and the other coun-
tries Ia but little, otherwise he would not dare
to make such statement Actually. the
number of murders committed in the whole
island Of Ceylon in seven months would not
equal the number of murders committed in
Ma eli -
are within the reach OF all, and no argument
OF mine Is necessary
There are nearly $50, 600 Christians in Cey-
lon to-day out of a population OF nearly
3 900 900 people and Of these Christians IL bout
$50, 900 are Roman Catholics. the great ma
jority of them In gloomy depths oil ignorant
superstition, not to speak OF the Protestants
| will eXplat In TO YOU clearly why these ixno-
rant Christians commit crime more readily
than ignorant Buddhists. These ignorant
people are taught BY the Christian mission
aries that Gods mercy Is boundless and un-
fathomuble; that 1t IL impossible to conceive
Of q human sin SO damnaole that the price
sinner would not wipe It out If thousand
fold worse" Furthermore. that 1t is never too
late, 70 repent. Though the offender Wait
day Of his mortal life before his blanched lips
utter the confession Of faith, he may 70 TO
Paradise; the dying thief did so. and so may
tons OF the Church. and of the clergy, as
snmptions banged on tho heads Of the en-
lightened people
On the other hand. the Buddhist ia taught
to believe that every thought, word or deed
has It's consequences, which will appear
sooner or later In the present or in the future
state Jesus taught the same thing With
what measure you mete it shall be measured
TO you again.
The glad tidings" my learned country
man refers TO in his letter are the dangerous
dogma Of vlcarious atonement. and 1t IL this
teaching that IL going TO civiliZe the Neddahs
of Ceylon. and outside of II there can be no
civilization!
would advise my countrymnn and others
OF his stamp to mediate seriously on the
Sanskrit. as every educated Cingalese
knows. was the lanRlage OF our ancestors
j ceased TO be vernacuiar about 500 years
y, G, The present, Cingalcse language ls
who are well yersed in these languages. ''''
Gogcrly; Hardy and 4,opleston are no
Iivera is an authority on Sanslrit II they
knew Buddhism well they would never have
spont their time and energy and the money
OF the good pcHple Of Europe n attempting
MIR X, Graves. the author OF The Worlds
Sixteen CruChcd Saviours," says: There
is no escaping the conclusion that Chris
and remodpIlng Of Buddhism, with chan GO
Of name only. a thousand facts OF history
prove and proclaim il. and the verdict OF
posterity will be unanimous in affirming H."
II IL settled historical fact that Buddhism
ia much the older system
7 have been close student OF Buddhism
and Christianity for several wears, and |
can sincerely say that Il true Buddhist has
rios 40 far as religious progress and spiritual
culture Hre concerned But Christians can
become more enlightened by studying Bud
dlisrn with an unprejMdiced mind. Let mo
f,1l an nFaI nd Ipn nd