NO. 4 RELIGION IN SZECHUAN PROVINCE — GRAHAM 5 1 



We do not find the idea of vicarious sacrifice lor otliers. in whal 

 are generally called sacrifices by western winters there is the idea of 

 providing food, money, and other necessities for the ancestors and 

 the gods. The vi^riter has seen idols who are supposed to be addicted 

 to the opium hal)it, and to whom the worshippers are accustomed to 

 offer opium by smearing it on their lips. Again, there is the idea that 

 gifts will establish friendly relations with the ancestors or the gods 

 and dispose them to deal kindly with the giver and help him in case 

 of need. An element that shoukl not be overlooked is the very natural 

 tendency to sacrifice something valuable or useful to a friend or to a 

 superior. This custom or habit is carried over into religion from the 

 social life and customs of the Chinese. 



It is the usual practice, when making social calls, to take gifts to the 

 friends on w^hom one is calling — cookies, candies, eggs, nuts, a chicken, 

 a duck, or the like. A poor Bible woman in Suifvi said that she could 

 not make calls on the church members and enquirers because it would 

 be necessary for her to make presents to those on whom she called, 

 which she could not afford to do. Twice I have returned from Suifu 

 to America on furlough. Both times a large number of Chinese 

 friends gave farewell presents. They varied from beautiful pictures, 

 embroideries, old bronzes and vases to native candies, eggs, and pieces 

 of sugarcane. Even when calling on magistrates on official business 

 it is advi-sable and often necessary to take a gift. Presents are given 

 at engagements, weddings, and funerals. It is natural for people with 

 such social customs to make gifts to the ancestors and the gods. In 

 Szechuan the killing of the victim is a non-essential part of the 

 ceremony of worship, and the " sacrifices " are gifts rather than sac- 

 rifices. They are made to satisfy what are considered real needs of 

 the ancestors and the gods, to establish a friendly relationship or 

 communion, and sometimes merely in accordance with a natural 

 tendency to contribute something valuable to an esteemed friend or 

 to a superior. 



7. WORSHIP 



The religious acts and ceremonies that we call worship are practiced 

 in the homes, at the graves, at the wayside shrines, and in the Con- 

 fucian, Buddhist, Taoist and ancestral temples. 



Sometimes there are group ceremonies at the wayside shrines, but 

 they are essentially the same as the rites in the homes and in the 

 temples. Often an individual will go to a shrine, light a few sticks of 

 incense, burn some paper money as, an oflfering. make obeisance, utter 

 a prayer or request, and depart. 



