Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15
snsc,,l p,spatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LONDON. December 1.-THE Bud
dhists have invaded London. Never since
the DAYS of Rome in its greatest glory mas
any city presented 30 great a variety OIL
religious creeds, PHILOSOPHERS and strange
nhases of thought as does the metropohs
of Great Britain at the present DAY. lnto
this polyglot church work now comes inc
oldest creed Of the great religious uhi-
verse;
II will be a matter Of surprise to many
people in England that there are several
Europeans who have entered into the tuii
orders of the Buddhist priesthood. some
are men of great learning, ability and ear
nestness Of purpose, notably one, Wno'
following the ancient custom OF MS oroer'
sdopts another name, and Is now KNOWN
az Amanda Metteyya, who was the organ
izer and is now the director, OF the IN
ternationai Buddhist Society, which mas
Its HEADQUARTERS In Rangoon, Burma ana
,ts representatives In almost every part
of the world.
The society in Rangoon decided 10 es-
tablish a branch in London. To TINS emo
preudses were taken in Bury street. near
-rn6SBritish Museum. to serve as cehlei'
and Gs>a repository for Buddhist htera'
tura Aaapother meters connected with 'he
movement A meeting was then caIleo Vi
all thoA who were known to De Buoonis'S
inf,ouabn. The result of the meeting was
the faryhation fof the Buddhist society VI
Great Britain, and a PROVISIONAL comnii'-
tee ia now drawing up a constitution anu
rules. based on those OF the parent So
.ciety ~tS consideration later. "hen q
scn1ciI and executive will be appointed.
members enrolled and the inse'u''oA
nIaced upon a working basls:
.rrhare are something over 5UO known
p,,Sdhiste exclnding natives OF eastern
cou6tries, now In Great Britain. MOST W
these have signified their approval Oh .ne
new society, and are senolnS IA ri
noras Yor enrolment as members, Wniie
.ha nrmh4r Of inauirers is considerably
more. :. l., na.+ed tina.
Annnda Metteyya, who is a 1ully oruaiheu
Bud6hist monk. will Visit TINS coun.ay
help award the movement. anu
Buddhist church will probably come INTO
existance as a consequence. Inc buo-
dhism ~ the new society, It may De ano-
ed. is that of the southern school, Whicn -
based upon the authority OF the Iripltaka
Canon, accepted In Ceyioh'
dia Burma and SIAM -. 49,.
THE dawning and developing OF inc
consciousness and our divine natuIe atu
heritage"-that is the Ideal Whcl emt
FOUNDERS
Rut the Bu6dhists have yet to establish
themselves. The Mahometans are ar
here. In one Of the rooms OF Wen
known restaurant recently there was en-
acted a scene which carried one IN mag
inatton to the east The Mahometans UI
london had assembled, In common Win
their coreligfonists the world over 10 ceie
brate the feast of Ramazan. me me i tTasa
OF fast had come TO an end. and these
men had gathered to say their prayers
OF Thanksgiving and to inaugurate the
feast of RamaZan. Shiahs and Suhhltles
were among the worshipers, LOT tne tMo
scots of Mohamn edans pray In the same
MOSQUE. the only difference between them
being a curious little tradition Which
leads the Shah to pray with hanas
crossed over the breast and the Sunniue
with hands hanging by the side.
The service had been arranged by the
Pan-IslamIc Society. and the banner or
that organization hung at the end OF the
room On q background OF green-tne
color of Islam-the name or the society
appeared In white letters. while Arabic
characters above set forth the funda-
mental statement of the Mahometan faith
There is no god but God. and Mahomet
Is His prophet.
ca. with boots removed, but with their
heads covered. the little company followed
the brief service with deep devotion In
a high key the Imam chanted the prayer
II.
ing their foreheads to the ground, and
then, sitting with crossed legs, they list
ened as the Imam read from the Koran
exhortations to universal brotherhood
The embrace of brotherliness followed
and the gathering dispersed to join the
various social parties held to celebrate
the holiday.
The work of these small sects attracts
little attention. however. for the estab-
lished church is too busy with its own
affairs to give them more than passing
notice Just now the Angelicans are hav-
ing to combat the Church Association.
which is running vigorous campaign
against the bishops. The demonstration
this week in Queens Hall was a striking
manifestation of Anglican indignation
against what Is said to be 'the violation
of their conservation vows by the
bench OF bishops. The association has
drawn up a long list of special counts
of the Indictment, and these. arranged
in groups and classified under separate
headings, were spoken to by half dozen
members Of parliament.
Tne six comprehensive charges against
the bishops are % the persistent neg
lect of duty In not using the powers
they possess: CD the constant support