NO. 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS V 



many books and articles, especially in English and in Chinese. It 

 should be emphasized, however, that the main source of information 

 has been the people of West China. I have endeavored to be objective, 

 letting my opinions develop out of the information received and the 

 observations made, rather than starting with theories and seeking 

 evidence to prove them. While many of the most important facts and 

 theories have been received from ordinary, unsophisticated people, 

 they have also been discussed with Chinese of all classes, including 

 students, old-fashioned scholars, and scientists. The information re- 

 ceived has been checked and rechecked many times. 



In this manuscript, the present tense is generally used. It should 

 be borne in mind, however, that I am describing conditions, beliefs, 

 and practices as they existed in West China before the modern changes 

 took place. Many of them may not obtain at the present time. 



China has produced one of the world's greatest cultures, in some 

 respects the greatest. It has produced men of outstanding ability and 

 character. It has had several of the world's greatest historians, poets, 

 philosophers, and artists. In a number of her arts, such as lacquers, 

 bronzes, and porcelains, she has led the world. She has had great 

 religious leaders such as Confucius and Lao Tzu. All these have 

 influenced every phase of her culture and religion. Yet the great 

 mass of her people have been, until recent decades, illiterate farmers 

 and laborers, whose customs and ideas were often very primitive. 

 That these beliefs and customs have continued in China practically up 

 to the present time is due at least in part to the fact that they have 

 seemed to fit the situations, to explain natural phenomena, and to offer 

 a satisfying philosophy of life. 



The religious beliefs and practices of the common people have been 

 modified by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism and by their sects 

 and the lesser religions. On the other hand, these have been profoundly 

 influenced by the beliefs and practices of the common people. The 

 religion of the common people, called by some animism, has been re- 

 ferred to as the real religion of China. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



I am indebted to many Chinese of all classes as well as to many 

 occidental scholars for information that has made this manuscript 

 possible. I wish especially to express my appreciation to Dr. C. T. Wu, 

 Ph.D., a graduate of the University of Washington ; to Mr. Wayne S. 

 Kow, a graduate of the University of Denver, for assistance in trans- 

 lating and in writing the Chinese characters ; to Prof. Lewis Walms- 



