[8] 



despite the accumulation of fresh myths, which grew larger as time wore 

 on, the original conception of the constant necessity for a divine saviour 

 was never lost, and that, as the approach of night in the Vedic system 

 was followed by the torments of the shades, and the powers of darkness 

 were destroyed by the re-appearance of the dawn-god, so also the 

 approaching extinction of the people under a wicked tyrant was followed 

 by the misery which preceded the appearance of the saviour-god, 

 Krishna. In fact, every myth that occurs in the religions of India is 

 built out of this original idea of the powers of light being overcome 

 by the powers of darkness and finally rescued by a redeeming god. 

 In later times, as the science of astronomy became more popular and 

 better understood, not only was the daily apparent course of the sun 

 the source from which myths were fabricated, but his annual apparent 

 march through the zodiacal signs was also drawn upon for the creation 

 of more imposing and elaborate dramas ; and in this manner were 

 produced the fables containing allusions to the two crucifixions, or 

 passage of the sun across the equator at the vernal and autumnal 

 equinoxes, and the rites of baptism when the sun was passing through 

 the sign Aquarius, and fasting during the period of the sun's transit 

 through Pisces, etc. 



The religion of Boodhism is an offshoot of the Brahman system, 

 having originated in the so-called incarnation of Vishnu, Gautama 

 Boodha, whose powerful personality has left an indelible impress upon 

 the religion. This remarkable man lived about the end of the sixth 

 century ; but the real history of Boodhism does not commence until 

 about the middle of the third century before our era. The doctrines 

 taught by this great reformer were brotherly love, self-sacrifice, and an 

 eternal Nirvana as the consummation of all bliss. The doctrine of the 

 transmigration of the soul was still maintained ; but a state of Nirvana, 

 or absolute non-existence, was declared to be the deliverance from the 

 ejidless succession of re-births for those who, by their purity of life and 

 heart, merit such a blissful end. Admitting that men were born in 

 different castes, determined by their good or evil deeds in a prior exist- 

 ence, Boodha yet declared that all might attain the highest salvation, 

 and that none, not even those of the highest caste and most sacred 

 offices, could do this without having regard to the well-being of all his 

 fellow creatures. The authority of the Vedas was rejected by the 

 Boodhists, as also the whole dogmatic system of the Brahmans ; and in 

 their place was substituted a higher moral teaching, a more equitable 

 relationship of men, and a wide-spreading system of communism. This 

 reformation of ancient dogmatic faith was not destined to last long 

 uncorrupted, for the monasteries established by the Boodhists for the 

 purpose of affording an asylum to the poor and destitute soon became 



