Buddhism Spreading in California and the United States
THE introduction of Buddhism into the United States, and its rapid growth even in a center of seemingly Christian influence, are facts to which attention is called in the August Missionary Review. From an editorial we quote the following:— During a tour to the Pacific Coast in March, April, and May, a visit to San Diego, Cal., revealed the fact that there is there a fearful state of things. The beautiful place is saturated with theosophy, which has settled down on a commanding point of land overlooking the sea, and is there creating the Buddhistic center for America. They are said to have twenty million dollars on deposit. Christians seem to have concluded to shut their mouths about this horrible modern monster which has come from India to propagate its species here. The apathy of professing Christians about it is appalling; and not a few seem to regard it as a great advantage to have the head center of this Oriental abomination in the town. A very discerning friend told me that she had actually met not a few who not only do not recoil from the introduction of the worship of Buddha in this country, but openly uphold it. In Los Angeles a wealthy woman has brought a Buddhist priest from the Chicago World’s Fair and Parliament of Religions, and in her own palatial house erected a shrine to Buddha, for the worship of this heathen idol, and in her house many people gather weekly for this worship. One of the pastors says that all California is more or less saturated with this heathen cult, and this he gathers from personal observation as he travels over the land. It is naturally surprising that in this age and this land of enlightenment and religious knowledge, an Oriental religion embodying the essence of heathenism, can take root and flourish; yet after all it is not surprising. For outside of Christianity, there is nothing but darkness, and it is not strange that he who walks in darkness should make the worst mistakes in his course. He who rejects Christianity is in a position to embrace the worst forms of error, and when this actually occurs, as it is occurring all around us, it is only what was to be expected by those who know the truth. Outside of Christianity, all paths lead finally to one place. “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you,” is a warning which is emphasized by these things.