FOREWORD THE Viewpoint of this book is that of a traveler in Oriental lands seeking to observe how the teachings of the various religions of the Far East actually work out in life. In connection with such a popular treatment of these faiths brief surveys of their fundamental theories also have been embodied, that the reader may get a proper setting for a study of the peculiar rites, ceremonies, and customs of these non-Christian peoples. Some attention likewise has been given to the lives of the founders and the prominent leaders of these sects, as well as to the reform movements that have modified their original doctrinal and practical attitudes. The author's primary endeavor, however, has been to find as adequate an answer as possible to the question, "What contribution do these Oriental faiths make toward the betterment of humanity and the progress of civilization?" Such a purpose, of course, can be but partially realized under the limitations imposed by the brief chapters of this volume, but it has been possible to indicate the general directions in which these faiths move and something as to their actual fruits in life. There is need for the exercise of great care in the interpretation not only of the teachings, but also of the strange ceremonies and customs of Oriental peoples. There is fundamentally an Eastern type of mind and attitude of soul with which the student of these religions must come into some sort of sympathy before he can hope to understand in any satisfactory measure the meaning of their doctrine and life. Moreover, as in the case of Christianity itself, Hinduism, Buddhism, and most of the other great religions of the world make large use of symbolism, a fact that opens the way for the severest kind of criticism from superficial or prejudiced investigators. Our own Christian ceremonies of baptism and the Eucharist, for example, could easily be made to appear highly ridiculous by an ignorant or insincere Oriental traveler in Europe or America. Therefore, we need in our study of Eastern faiths to be especially on our guard at this point, that no injustice may be done in the inte pretation of their peculiar expressions of worship. In general, two extremes must be avoided in seeking a correct estimate of the religious life of the Far East. The first is represented by the attitude of the narrow partisan who seeks to establish the superiority of Christianity by featuring the strange and sometimes degrading doctrines and customs of these religions without giving full credit for their nobler aspects; the other extreme is represented by the silly sentimentalists who find, especially in India, the complete solution for the religious problem, and by a process of glossing over the sickening facts and reading into Hindu teachings the great Christian truths, declare that the Far East is the original source of all that is true, good, and beautiful. In view of these two dangers the author has sought to orient himself, to find the meanings behind the symbols, and, most of all, to give full credit for purity of motive, worthy ideal, and noble expression in life wherever found in his observation and study of these great faiths. But he has tried as well to discern their real weaknesses and their general tendencies in relation to the upward movement of the human race. For those who may desire to engage in a further study of the various religions discussed in this volume a list of special reference books will be found at the close of each chapter and a general one at the end of the book. This bibliography contains some of the best results of accredited scholarship and presents the views and conclusions not only of English and American writers, but also those of native students and followers of these Oriental faiths. A careful reading, therefore, of the books thus listed will make for a creditable understanding of comparative religions and will tend to produce a balanced judgment as to their relative values in terms of life. Brief articles on several of the religions represented in this book appeared in 1915 in Zion's Herald. By permission of the editors and publisher of that paper this material was made avail |