NO. 4 KKLIGION IN SZF.CIUAN I'KdXINCR — GRAllANr 7 



interchange of literature, the people of Szechuan have l)een hrouylu 

 into contact with the rest of China and with other parts of the world. 



4. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PFX)PLE 



It is a well-known fact that in China the family and not the indi- 

 vidual is the social unit. The rights of individuals are suhordinated 

 to those of the family group. Property generally helongs to the 

 family, ^^'hen a new cou])le is married, they do not live in a separate 

 house, hut in a part of the groom's family home, with his parents 

 and the families of his brothers. This principle aiTects the entire 

 social, ethical, and religious world of the Szechuanese. Religion is a 

 family and a community aiTair. Ethics are social. Engagements and 

 marriages are family affairs, contracted l)v representatives of the 

 families rather than by the individuals concerned.^ 



Filial piety is the cardinal virtue. ( )ne of the worst things that can 

 l)e said about anyone is that he is unfilial. Filial piety recjuires that 

 a child show love and respect to his parents and elders and to his 

 ancestors for three generations. This virtue has been the cement that 

 has strengthened and held together Chinese society for millenniums. 

 Many of the legends are such as will develop filial piety in the hearts 

 of the young. The results are partially manifested in elaborate funer- 

 als and in the erection of expensive tombs for the ancestors. 



The dualistic yinyang conception, which has been a part of« the 

 thought form of the Chinese for millenniums, vitally affects the social 

 life. The 3'/;/ is the female jMnnciple. and is lower, inferior to, and 

 weaker than the yiiiifj. the male ]:)rinci])le. Happiness and prosperity 

 dej^end on the keeping oi this female princi])le subordinate to the 

 male. Women, therefore, have always been given a subordinate posi- 

 tion. The husband is master, and is morally and religiously ruler 

 over his wife. Women must accept the religion of their husbands. 



5. THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION 

 IN SZECHUAN PROVINCE 



In the preface of Dore's monumental work. Researches Into Chinese 

 Superstitions, the following statement is made : 



Real China exists little in the Open Ports. Civilization has tliere done its 

 work, and raised the Chinaman to a higher level tlian his fellow countrymen. 

 Whosoever, therefore, would study him in real Hfe, must needs see him in 



' There are great changes taking place in China which will profoundly affect 

 social life and customs, and in the end will affect religion. 



