Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-11
W1hile Young Mtelleftuals Smash Idols in
Their Campaign against Superstition,
ChiueseMohammedau Boy General Leads
Moslems against Buddhists and 7anists
and the Natioualsts Consider Oustiug
Foreign Missionaries of ILL Creeds to
Fomda United Chinese Christian Church.

scholarly petition by DR.. H. H. Kung for the
preservation Of the tomb of Confucus. AS an
offspring Of that great sage DR.. Kung has
merely performed his filial duty, but as ma
tional leader Dr. Kung has set an example of
far-reaching significance, namely, the respect
for the best of Chinas heritage. :.
"Thoughtless elements have in their hour
of fanaticism advocated the overthrow of every
tradition that is a credit to China and the in
PRODUCTION in its stead of everything from the
Occident that is Of no practical use to us.
THE tendency, so rampant among Chinese
youth, to belittle our own traditions and ideals
is most dangerous. and we hope that DR.. Kungs
petition will arouse in them a new sense of
valuation in the things that China has held
most vital to her existence"
Soon after the Marking government ordered
the tomb and temples Of ConfuciuS placed
under the direct control of the ministry of the
interior and appropriated money for their pres
ervation. 1t feels, however, that little is to
be gained from China's traditional worship Of
Buddhism and Taoism and is continuing its
campaign against these churches.
Fearful for their very existence, the chief
priests Of the Buddhist temples are now max
ing hasty plans for a nationwide reformation
In order to meet successfully the attack which
has been launched against them by the gov
eminent and the intellectuals.
For years these priests have been by-word
superstitution. But the common people, still
following the religion of their ancestors, have
continued to bow to wooden idols and have
contributed to the support Of the temples
An example of how such confidence is abused
occurred recently in the suburbs of Peking,
where word went out that carved stone i'm
age on an old pagoda had risen from its frame,
blessed a praying blind man, and restored bis
sight. The miracle of this standing Buddha,"
surrounded by hundreds of similar craven idols,
but all In o sitting position, was widely her
aided and attracted thousands of worshipers.
All Of these pilgrims gave donations to the
monks In charge. The police finally put a stop
to the festival, declaring that the miracle was
hoax, that the standing figure had been sub
stituted one dark night in place Of the GUS
tomary sitting Buddha and that the alleged
blind man had been bribed to tell his story.
Now the more intelligent among the Buddhist
priests realize that their religion is threatened
with extinction in China, as a result Of the
governments prosecution of such quackery and
they have attempted a drastic reform move
ment, based upon the success of the Buddhist
reformation In Japan and India.
In Japan, Buddhism, although without Of
fetal support, IS the most popular religion,
despite all efforts of Christian missionaries.
Buddhists have their Sunday schools, their
Young Mems Buddhist Associations, and -four
ishing temples.
THE reform movement In China is COM
Buddhas of Tibet who have extended to China
their struggle for supremacy In their native
land, and the dispute has attracted the atten-