Sacred Shrines ^ and their Devotees. 159 
is called *The Flowing Invocation.' Upon certain fixed 
times of the year, numbers of people also visit the temples, 
and pay money to the priests to purchase prayers for their 
friends in torment." 
It will be seen from this incident, that the Buddhists 
believe, and teach, the doctrine of transmigration of souls, 
as well as a modified form of purgatory. All who live im- 
pure, dishonest, wicked lives here, are considered to pass 
from this body into that of some hateful, or noxious beast, 
and then again into some other animal less ugly and repul- 
sive, until they have atoned for the sins of this life, and are 
then permitted either to rise to Nirvana," the Buddhist 
heaven, or to occupy some honourable position in this life. 
This system of transmigration of souls, provides the only 
atonement for sin, which the Japanese know, or believe in. 
Our Christian doctrine of "shedding blood for the remission 
of sins which are past," is not only unknown^ but utterly 
repulsive to them ; because sacrifices of any kind are abhor- 
rent, both to Buddhism, and Shintoism. This fact proves a 
great stumbling-block in the way of some Japanese, when 
urged to accept Christianity ; and will remain so, doubtless, 
for some time. 
On account of these teachings of Buddhism, no Japanese 
ever looks forward to a happy life beyond the grave. His 
highest happiness is that of being absorbed in the Holy 
Sakya, in Nirvana, — a sort of unconscious existence in which 
there can be no active pursuit, happiness, or enjoyment. 
As this is the only prospect offered by their idolatrous 
systems, the talk, and belief of Christians on the doctrine of 
" Eternal Life," falls on sceptical, and unwilling ears. 
Most of the people wear amulets or charms, and should 
any person drop his charm, it is considered a sign of speedy 
death. They are written by Buddhist priests, and sold ; are 
