Chap. XI.] EUDDIIISM EXTREMELY TOLER.\KT. 



543 



and requiring their presence at the birth of their children, 

 who, together with their mother, are not unfrequently 

 dedicated to the evil spirits, whom they dread.^ 



As regards Buddhism itself, whilst there is that in the 

 tenets and genius of Brahmanism Avhich proclaims an 

 active resistance to any other form of religion, Chris- 

 tianity in the southern expanse of Ceylon has to encounter 

 an obstacle still more embarrassing in the habitual apathy 

 and hstless indifference of the Buddhists. Brahmanism 

 in its constitution and spirit is essentiaUy exclusive and 

 fanatical, jealous of all conflicting faiths, and strongly dis- 

 posed to persecution. Buddhism, on the other hand, in 

 the strength of its self-righteousness, extends a latitudina- 

 rian hberality to every other behef, and exhibits a Laoch- 

 cean indifference towards its own. Whilst Brahmanism 

 is a science confided only to an initiated priesthood ; and 

 the Vedas and the Shastras in which its precepts are 

 embodied are kept with jealousy from the profane eye of 

 the people. Buddhism, rejoicing in its universality, 

 aspires to be the rehgion of the multitude, throws open 

 its sacred pages without restriction, and encourages their 

 perusal as a meritorious act of devotion. The despotic 

 ministers of Brahma affect to be versed only in arcana 

 and mystery, and to issue their dicta from oracular autho- 

 rity ; but the priesthood of Buddha assume no higher 

 functions than those of teachers of ethics, and claim no 

 loftier title than that of " the clergy of reason."^ 



In the character of the Singhalese people there is to be 

 traced much of the genius of their rehgion. The same 

 passiveness and love of ease which restrain from active 

 exertion in the labours of life, find a counterpart in the 

 adjustment by which virtue is limited to abstinence, and 



^ IIartakd's History of the IVes- 

 In/an llission in Ceylon, Introd., 

 p. iii. 



"^ The sect of the Lao 7'sen, or 

 '' Doctors of Reason," whom Lan- 

 DitESSE regards as a de'\ehipment of 



Buddhism, prevailed in Thibet and 

 the comitries Ijang between China 

 and India in the fifth and sixth cen- 

 turies ; and Fa IIian always refers to 

 them as the " Cleryy of Rcasmi^ — 

 Fod Koue Ki, chap, xxxviii. 



