A BUDDHIST PARALLEL by C. M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 42.

A BUDDHIST PARALLEL.

By C. M. S.

THE Indian Witness, of recent issue, has the following, which it quotes from a Buddhist announcement in connection with an attempted revival: "The 2488th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness on earth will be held at the Albert Hall to-morrow, Sunday, July 30, from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. A collection of Buddhist relics from Ceylon, Gandahar, Siam, Japan, Burma, Tibet, and China will be exhibited on this occasion. All those who wish to attend the celebration should abstain on that day from destroying any life, stealing, sensual indulgence, lying, and taking intoxicating liquor. They may bring fresh, sweet-scented flowers, taking care not to inhale their fragrance. All are invited. Peace and blessing to all." The Witness remarks: "The incidental resemblance between Romanist and Buddhist ritual finds illustration here. The exhibition of relics and the prescription of certain days to be regarded as of special sanctity are common to both systems. But are we to understand that our Buddhist friends tolerate stealing, sensual indulgence, lying, intemperance, etc., on all other days save the 2488th anniversary of the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness on earth?"

The question is a pertinent one. If the things mentioned are wrong on that day, they are wrong on every day. To specify that they should not be indulged in on that day signifies that they may be indulged in on other days. And right here let the advocate of the Sunday-closing of saloons while they are open all the rest of the week, recognize the similarity between his demand in that matter and the requirement which the Buddhist must observe. The parallel is a striking one. It is the sanctity of a day, and not the wrongfulness of the thing forbidden, that is the chief consideration in such a demand.

C. M. S.