The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-06-23


perative, considering the fact,
that the subject will be chiefly devoted
to the question of the ultimate effect
of Christian propaganda in the East;
and to what extent the continued in
PRODUCTION of modern ideas may have
in determining the future status of be-
lief there.
Prior to the political revolution of
1922, Buddhism was the prevailing
creed of Japan; but the new govern
ment being more in favor of the Shinto
faith, the political pressure, both NOR
al and positive was soon felt, and the
adherents of Buddha rapidly declined
in numbers; their temples and places
of worship fell into gradual decay,
while the faith suffered an atrophy of
performance, from which it has never
recovered. Buddhism was introduced
into Japan from China. Its rites and
ceremonies, as practised in the former
country, are very simple; they consist
of offering. flowers, perfumes, hymns, &C.
companied by prayers to Sakya, an an
cient Buddhist priest of extreme puri-
ty and asceticism, who founded the
sect in the island centuries ago. The
four axioms which are the basis of
Buddhistic teaching are primitive, and
were enunciated by Gautama Bnddha
himself. They are: 1, That there ex-
lists pain; 2, That all that is born in
this world suffers pain; 3, That it is
necessary to liberate ourselves from it;
and 4, That knowledge alone offers
the means of this deIiverance. In the
concrete or abstract, it's tenets are
equivalent to all other beliefs, and
have for an end the amelioration of
human kind, and ultimate happiness.
Their idea of Supreme Intelligence is
slightly tinged with pantheism, while
transmigration is inculcated.
The religion of Shinto is believed
to have originated from Babylonian
emigrants; its primitive belief and
moral standard being very high, tho
simple. The followers acquiesce in the
belief of Supreme Being who inhab-
its the highest heavens, and who is far
too great to require their worship.
The foregoing conception of First
Cause is the very apogee of rational
divination. Vide! ye Occidentals
Shintoism admits of multitude of in
ferior deities, who supposedly govern
earth, sea, sky, air. etc.; even the diff
ferent trades have their tutelary gods
All this argues well for the Babylonish
origin of Shintoism, as both are trans
cendent!y polItheistic or nothing.
The practical precepts admonish
a yirtuous life, and especially, exact
obedience to the laws Of the realm and
the commands of their prince. The
significance of the latter phrase is quite
apparent and leads up to the probable
reason why the reformed government
of ~ gave ShiLtoism the preference
over Buddhism. The province of Isle
is the tabled Holy Land; pilgrimages
are made there, as it is legended that
Isanagi-Mikoto and his wife Isanami
the Adam and Eve of the Japanese
lived and died in this particular spot
IT'S said that the valley of Isanami
transcends in beauty, the dreamer's
vision of, Paradise lotus, cherry-blos.
som, chrysanthemrH in wild, idyllic
confusion.
There were also several philosophical
} sects in Japan; notably one which es.
poused the doctrines of Confucius, ia
: booed all external worship, patronized
the arts, recognized sort of an 0nim0
aa,todi, but denied future existence
i taught that honor and virtue were
:. above price, and admitted the practict