64 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



system originated could result in nothing but the elaboration of a 

 vast medley of superstitions. 



Starting from the conception that divinity is but an essence of 

 matter, this religion, among a people so little endowed with the 

 scientific spirit, soon found in the invisible agencies of nature the 

 immediate presence of deity. Taoism thus in time developed into 

 an elaborate system of superstitious idolatry, busied only with the 

 evils of the present life. Such a religion could only result in weaving 

 around the daily life of the people a web of superstitious notions, 

 and letting loose upon its unhappy adherents a host of dread spirits 

 until the very breath of the air becomes the voice of a demon. Thus 

 the Chinese are to-dav the most superstitious of nations, and it is no 

 uncommon thing to find matters of the utmost importance, public 

 and private, decided by some chance whim. 



BUDDHISM. 



Buddhism, the third great religion of China, is not a native of 

 that country. Originating in India, where it was almost exterminated 

 by persecution, it then made its way into China ; and, after a struggle 

 of a few centuries, found itself holding at least a second position in 

 the religious favor of the people. To give anything like a full 

 account of the circumstances connected with the introduction of the 

 new religion would carry us beyond the scope of the present paper. 

 Our purpose is solely to discover what influence it has exerted, and 

 still is exerting, on Chinese belief and character. For this, a brief 

 outline of the main phases of the system must suffice. Perhaps no 

 better means could be adopted for showing the central thought of 

 Buddhism than the quoting of a few typical thoughts from Indian 

 philosophy which represent the true spirit from which Buddhism 



arose. 



" One hundred years is the appointed span 

 Of human life ; one half of this goes by 

 In sleep and night; one half the other half 

 In childhood and old age ; the rest is passed 

 In sickness, separation, pain and service, 

 How can a human being find delight 

 In such a life, vain as a watery bubble ? " 

 Or again : 



" One course alone is proof against alarm, 

 Renounce the world and safety shall be won." 



