IV elaborate character soon obscured the ray of light which shone forth from the founder. Thus we find that within 150 years after the pass- ing away of Buddha tedious and circumstan- tial regulations as to the quality of robes to be worn by the Bhilcshus, the mode of bathing and fasting, the taking of the midday meal, the drinking of unchurned milk, probation and penance, dwellings and furniture and so forth were amongst the weighty subjects for dis- cussion in the Second General Council.""‘ We need not pursue the subject further. The reader who is interested in the study of com- parative religions will find striking parallels in the early history of the Christian Church. ‘i
- " " On the daily Life of the Bhikshus." Yinaya Texts
B. Series). The Chullavagga, Pt. iii, p, 06. -l‘ The Sermon on the Mount was more or less forgotten. Idolatry disappeared. it is true, but only to re-appear in the shape of Mariolatry and the worship of Saints and relies. In the heat of the schismatic strifes, Christian Charity had to make shift for itself as best as it could. Theologians were busy with the interpretation of the writings of the fathers. In a word, the dogmatic to a large extent superseded the moral element of religion.
