Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-31
The Shin Sect.

the admission of former Shnto priests into
the Buddhist temples and monasteries. al
though it is difficult for stranger to OBJ
tain any facts on that subject. The re-
forms of which much has been said
seem to have been limited to a single
of the eight SeCtS and thirty-five Sub-SectS
of Buddhism. The Shin sect. which
already the most liberal progressive and
intelligent. receives all the credit. They
branch OF the Monte sect. which is second
in number and first in power and influence.
The Sims have often been called the Prot
estants of Buddhism. Their clergy have
always been known as reformers. While
some of their priests and even their bishops
have been criticised for immortality and for
Irregular financial transactions. they will
average much higher in morals. well as
education. than those of any of the other
srCts. They are allowed to marry. they are
not Vegetarans, they teach that morality
Is as essential as faith. they worship only
one god they Concede that women have
souls and denounee the superstition and
tricks of the other sects which show but
little signs of Improvement.
The Buddhist priests. excepting the Sims
are generally illiterate immoral, supersti-
uous and opposed to all forms of progress
and education, because they are thus de-
prived OF their hold upon their congrega-
tnns. The people are going by and beyond
them rapidly: the public schools which NAV
be found in every village of Japan are I'M
d"rnning buddhism and destroying the
confidence of the masses in the priests No
educated man can belong to most of the
BUDDHIST denominations. The Shin sect is
the only one that appeals to the reason
and even 1t has been divided into factions
"Mch are bitterly hostile to each other
The New Buddhism.
The Shin-Bukkyo. new Buddhism. as
II Is called. is the most advanced and ra-
tional. and has been the leader of the pres
eht reformation. AS one of the Japanese
papers recently said: The advocates and
members n
the conservative element in Japan, but at
tie same time II is worthy of note that
at any big gathering the men of this
SrhooI succeed in making the deepest
Impression upon the audiences and the
largest number of educated laymen Bud
diilsts. particularly the young men In every
part OF Japan, are supporters of the re-
formed faith This was certainly true of
the an-denominational meeting that was
held at Tokyo ON the 18th of May last to
cOunteract the claim of Russia to the SYM
pdthy of the Christian nations In the pres
en-. war the ground that the people of
Japan are pagans.
the headquarters of the new sect are
at kyoto at the Nishi (wesO Hongwanj
Temple and the leader is Count Otani
archbishop of the Hongwanji sect, assisted
by Reno Akamatzu. who was one of the
Interesting figures at the congress of re-
hgions AT Chicago during the worlds fair
and MIR NatanaDe, one of the ablest and
most eloquent of the younger clergy of
Japan.
The latter summed up for me the prin-
cipIes of the new sect and the reforms they
desire to accomplish:
/. They teach the doctrines of Buddna in
their original purity.
= They reject all modern dogmas and SUI
perSIitions. denounce the conJurers. Sorcer-
ers. fortune tellers and other impostors who
prey upon the religious sentiment of the
people and their awe of the supernatural.
and forbid The sale of taliSmanS, charms,
amulets. etc.
> They forbid the practice of the super
stitious customs which have been acquired
by the ignorant masses during centuries
past.
4. They stand for educated and salaried
clergy. no monks. no nuns. no other orders
OF seclusion and no mendicants.
8. They hold that to be useful priest
must go about among his fellow men and
rot shut himself up In a cloister
q. They hold that religion and morality
are essential to the well being of state
but oppose state interference with or aid
TO religious organizations likely to de-
base them and deprive them OF their indie
pendepce and integrity.
.. They hold that chastity. integrity and
morality are essential to religion.
\. They believe In free thought free
speech and free worship.
%. They believe in one God Supreme
Being. the creator of the world which is
the beginning and the end: and deny the
power and influence and existence Of the
Thousand and one deities and demons which
now constitute the Buddhist pantheon
10. They believe in the equality of wom-
en- with men in this world and the next;
advocate the education of women and their
participation in affairs far as is consist
ent with their duties wives mothers and
hOusekeepers.
AS an illustration of the liberality of the
Shin-Bukkyo faction regarding women. the
Countess Otani. wife of the archbishop, is
now making tour OF Japan lecturng and
working in the interest of the reform. This
Is quite a remarkable mission for Bud
ohist woman TO undertake. Christian wom-
en- and others of foreign education, have
ppeared upon the platform in Japan but
an, told that Countess Otani is the first
puuuniSt woman to take part In public
"sSe'nniies or TO discuss public affairs
buddhist Missions in This Country.
Mr. Watanabe has just returned from the
United states. where he has been snepd.
Ing several months In missionary work. H..
tells me that Buddhist missions have beer
established at Boston. Philadelphia, San
francisco. Seattle Sacramento, Fresno Los
Angeles and the Hawaiian Islands. ana an
effort Is being made to convert as MANY
Christians as may be reached to the
BUDDHIST faith. Mr. Watanabe assures me