CHAPTER VIII.
THE RELIGIONS OF CHINA.
THREE SYSTEMS OF RELIGION—CONFUCIUS—HIS LIFE—MOBAL AND POLITICAL OPINIONS—NOTIONS ABOUT HEAVEN—AND THE SUPREME—HIS THEORY OF THE UNIVERSE—THE TWO POWERS OF NATURE—THE DIAGRAMS—SCHEME OF METAPHYSICS—MATERIAL TRINITY—IDEAS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS—OF THE FUTURE WORLD—AND OF HUMAN NATURE—THE RELIGION OF TAOU—ETERNAL REASON—INCARNATIONS OF IT—PHILOSOPHER'S STONE—GHOSTS AND CHARMS—TREADING ON FIRE—DEMONIACAL POSSESSIONS—MAGIC ARTS—RELIGION OF BUDDHA—HISTORY OF ITS FOUNDER—ENTRANCE INTO CHINA—BUDDHIST TEMPLES—MEDITATION ON BUDDHA—REPETITION OF HIS NAME—ABSORPTION OF A BLACKSMITH—FORM OF PRAYER—COMPASSION TO ANIMALS—FEEDING HUNGRY GHOSTS—PAPER MONEY—AND HOUSES—SCRAMBLING FOR HOLY FOOD—DOCTRINE OF ANNIHILATION—DESPISED BY THE CONFUCIANS—RESEMBLANCE TO THE CATHOLICS—REVIEW OF THE THREE SYSTEMS.
The religious of China are three; viz., the systems of Confucius, Laou-tsze, and Buddha. Of these, the first is the most honoured, both by the government, and the learned: the works of Confucius constitute the class books of the schools, and the ground work of the public examinations; hence all who make any pretensions to literature, pride themselves in being considered the followers of that philosopher. The religion of Laou-tsze, is equally ancient with the favoured sect, and has a great hold upon the minds of the people. It has now and then been honoured with imperial patronage; and during those golden opportunities has exerted a wider
