I06 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I42 



hibited by the government and finally disappeared before World 

 War II. 



THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF THE RELIGIONS OF SIX SAGES, OR 

 THE MOTHER RELIGION 



After the establishment of the Chinese Republic in 191 1 Szechwan 

 Province was the scene of many battles and wars. It is possible that 

 more turmoil and more disturbances from wars and from the ravages 

 of brigands existed in Szechwan than in any other part of China. 

 In addition, through schools and schoolbooks, trade, moving pictures, 

 newspapers, magazines, and many other agencies, there was a tre- 

 mendous impact on the people of West China of new ideas, customs, 

 and ideals, and these brought great changes in the lives of the people. 

 These in turn produced great changes in religious beliefs and prac- 

 tices, and several new religions or religious sects were founded. 



The founder of this new religion, T'ang Huan-chang, was a holder 

 of a Manchu dynasty bachelor of arts degree who considered him- 

 self to be a prophet. After receiving his bachelor of arts degree, he 

 came to Chengtu in search of employment. Here he attended a Chris- 

 tian church, received Christian instruction, and was baptized. He 

 was constantly arguing with his pastor that Christians should study 

 Confucianism, Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and because 

 of this and irregularities in his conduct, including the smoking of 

 opium, he was dismissed from the church. 



T'ang Huan-chang asserted that a few years after the establish- 

 ment of the Chinese Republic he received the seventh and greatest 

 seal, which meant that he was the final and greatest prophet, to whom 

 the others were preparatory. He wrote at least 30 books, including 

 commentaries on the other great religions. 



In addition to writing, he also sought disciples and messengers, and 

 was unusually successful. Apparently many gave him money. One 

 Chinese official, near the beginning of his career, sought out T'ang 

 Huan-chang at his home, prostrated himself before him, and called 

 him his teacher. Many others followed this example, and his dis- 

 ciples and messengers were sent all over China. 



There were 13 degrees to membership, in the first of which one 

 swore himself to secrecy. Each person was to try to fast 40 days, and 

 many tested their faith by eating centipedes. T'ang planned to send 

 his literature all over the world, but Chinese officials prevented his 

 doing so. • 



