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THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA 
[chap 
have very little knowledge of the inner essence of Shintoism. 
This religion is considered hy some a deism, by others a 
belief with political aims, the followers of which worship the 
departed heroes of the country. Of a developed morality this 
religion is wholly devoid. In the same way it appears to be 
uncertain whether Shintoism is a survival of the original religion 
of the country or whether it has been brought from abroad. 
Buddhism was introduced from China by Corea. Its temples 
are more onamented than the Shinto temples, and contain images 
of deities, hells, drums, holy hooks, and a great cpiantity of altar 
ornaments. The transmigration of soids, and rewards and 
punishments in a life after this, are doctrines of Buddhism. 
Outside the temples proper there are to l-je hnind in man}^ places 
large or small images in stone or bronze of the deities of 
