We have it also upon the authority of Dunckar that "Budha proclaimed
that salvation and redemption have come for all, even the lowest
and most abject classes." For he broke down the iron caste of the
Brahminical code which had so long ruled India, and aimed to place all
mankind upon a level. His followers have been stigmatize! by Christian
professors as "idolaters." But Sir John Bowling, in his "Kingdom and
People of Siam," denies that they are idolaters--"because," says he, "no
Budhist believes his image to be God, or anything more than an outward
representation of Deity." Their deific images are looked upon with the
same views and feelings as a Christian venerates the photograph of his
deceased friend. Hence, if one is an idolater, the other is also. With
respect to the charge of polytheism, Missionary Hue says, "that although
their religion embraces many inferior deities, who fill the same
offices that angels do under the Christian system, yet,"--adds M.
Hue--"monotheism is the real character of Buddhism;" and confirms the
statement by the testimony of a Thibetan.
It should be noted here that although Budhism succeeded in converting
about three hundred millions, or one-third of the inhabitants of the
globe, it was never propagated by the sword, and never persecuted the
disciples of other religions. Its conquests were made by a rational
appeal to the human mind. Mr. Hodgson says, "It recognizes the infinite
capacity of the human intellect." And St. Hilaire declares, "Love for
all beings is its nucleus; and to love our enemies, and not prosecute,
are the virtues of this people." Max Muller says, "Its moral code, taken
by itself, is one of the most perfect the world has ever known."
Its five commandments are:--
1. Thou shalt not kill.
2. Thou shalt not steal.
3. Thou shalt not commit adultery or any impurity.
4. Thou shall not lie.
5. Thou shalt not intoxicate thyself.
To establish the above cited doctrines and precepts, Budha sent forth
his disciples into the world to preach his gospel to every creature. And
if any convert had committed a sin in word, thought or deed, he was to
confess and repent. One of the tracts which they distributed declares,
"There is undoubtedly a life after this, in which the virtuous may
expect the reward of their good deeds.... Judgment takes place
immediately after death."
Budha and his followers set an example to the world of enduring
opposition and persecution with great patience and non-resistance. And
some of them suffered martyrdom rather than abandon their principles,
and gloried in thus sealing their doctrines with their lives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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