Buddhism Seeks State Recognition in Japan
By L. A. S.
In the Missionary Review of the World we note the following concerning state religion in Japan:— Much interest has been aroused in efforts of Buddhism to obtain governmental recognition in Japan. By its contact with Christianity, Buddhism has been aroused from its lethargy, and has resumed somewhat of its activity as a missionary religion, even projecting a propaganda in America. Its renewed activity, which is evidently a conscious or unconscious struggle for very existence in view of the spread of Christianity on the one hand and atheism on the other, has been directed to an agitation in the Japanese Parliament looking toward the “establishment” of Buddhism as a state religion. The adoption of any such measure by the Japanese government would do much to destroy the confidence of other nations in Japan as a progressive, civilized power. The zealous “church party” has met with a decided setback in the refusal of Abbot Shaku Shoyen to indorse the movement. That Buddhist dignitary is held in the highest esteem, and his opinion will carry great weight. He remarks very pointedly that a religion that needs the support of law is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live. If the Buddhists are to propagate their faith, it must be by the purity of their lives, and not by the aid of the law. It is very true, as the Buddhist who is here quoted observes, that “a religion that needs the support of law is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live;” and this is just as true when spoken of the religion of the Anglo-Saxon as when spoken of Buddhism. It is just as true as applied to that religion which demands state aid in securing the recognition of its holy day—Sunday—here in the United States, as it is true of a heathen religion of the Orient. That religion which seeks the support of law “is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live.” The true religion—Christianity—is as indestructible as God himself. L. A. S.