[LECTURE XVIII.]
Buddhism contrasted with Christianity. True Buddhism is no religion. Definition of the word ‘religion.’ Four characteristics constitute a religion. Gautama’s claim to be called ‘the Light of Asia’ examined. The Buddha’s and Christ’s first call to their disciples. The Christian’s reverence for the body contrasted with the Buddhist’s contempt for the body. Doctrine of storing up merit illustrated, and shown to be common to Buddhism, Brāhmanism, Hindūism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, and Muhammadanism. Doctrine of Karma or Act-force. Buddhist and Christian doctrine of deliverance compared. Buddhist and Christian moral precepts compared. The many benefits conferred upon Asia by Buddhism admitted. Religious feelings among Buddhists. Buddhist toleration of other religions. Historic life of the Christ contrasted with legendary biography of the Buddha. Christ God-sent. The Buddha self-sent. Miracles recorded in the Bible and in the Tri-piṭaka contrasted. Buddhist and Christian self-sacrifice compared. Character and style of the Buddhist Tri-piṭaka contrasted with those of the Christian Bible. Various Buddhist and Christian doctrines contrasted. Which doctrines are to be preferred by rational and thoughtful men in the nineteenth century? 537-563
OBSERVE.
The prevalent error in regard to the number of Buddhists at present existing in the world is pointed out in the Postscript at the end of the Preface ([p. xiv]).
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
WITH DESCRIPTIONS.
PAGE 1. Brass Image of Gautama Buddha obtained by the Author from Ceylon [Frontispiece] He is seated on the Mućalinda Serpent (see [p. 480]), in an attitude of profound meditation, with eyes half closed, and five rays of light emerging from the crown of his head. 2. Vignette, representing the Ćakra or ‘Wheel’ Symbol with Tri-ratna symbols in the outer circle and Lotus symbol in the centre (see pp. 521-522) [On Title-page] Copied from the engraving of a Wheel supported on a column at Amarāvatī (date about 250 A.D.) in Mr. Fergusson’s ‘Tree and Serpent Worship.’ 3. Map illustrative of the Sacred Land of Buddhism [To face 21] 4. Portrait of Mr. Gaurī-Ṡaṅkar Uday-Ṡaṅkar, C.S.I., now Svāmī Ṡrī Saććidānanda-Sarasvatī [To face 74] See the explanation at [p. xiii]. of the Preface. 5. Magical Dorje or thunderbolt used by Northern Buddhists [323] 6. Prayer-bell used in worship [324] 7. Magical weapon called Phur-pa, for defence against evil spirits [352] Used by Northern Buddhists. Brought from Dārjīling in 1884. 8. Amulet worn by a Tibetan woman at Dārjīling in 1884 [358] Purchased at Dārjīling and given to the Author by Mr. Sarat Chandra Dās. 9. Hand Prayer-wheel brought by the Author from Dārjīling [375] 10. ḍamaru, or sacred drum, used by vagabond Buddhist monks [385] 11. Ancient Buddhist temple at Buddha-Gayā, as it appeared in 1880 [To face 391] Erected about the middle of the 2nd century on the ruins of Aṡoka’s temple, at the spot where Gautama attained Buddhahood. From a photograph by Mr. Beglar enlarged by Mr. G. W. Austen. 12. The same temple at Buddha-Gayā, as restored in 1884 [To face 393] From a photograph by Mr. Beglar enlarged by Mr. G. W. Austen. 13. Bronze model dug up at Moulmein, representing triple ladder by which Buddha is supposed to have descended from heaven (from original in South Kensington Museum) [418] 14. Remains of a colossal statue of Buddha [To face 467] Probably in ‘argumentative’ or ‘teaching’ attitude (see [p. 481]). It was found by General Sir A. Cunningham close to the south side of the Buddha-Gayā temple. The date (Samvat 64 = A.D. 142) is inscribed on the pedestal. 15. Terra-cotta image of Buddha dug up at Buddha-Gayā [477] Half the size of the original sculpture. Buddha is in the attitude of meditation under the tree, with a halo or aureola round his head. Probable date, not earlier than 9th century. 16. Sculpture found by General Sir A. Cunningham at Sārnāth, near Benares [To face 477] Illustrative of the four principal events in Gautama Buddha’s life—namely, his birth, his attainment of Buddhahood under the tree, his teaching at Benares, and his passing away in complete Nirvāṇa (see [p. 387]). Date about 400 A.D. 17. Sculpture of Buddha in ‘Witness-attitude’ on attaining Buddhahood, under the tree (an umbrella is above) [478] Found at Buddha-Gayā. Date about the 9th century. The original is remarkable for its smiling features and for the circular mark on the forehead. The drawing is from a photograph belonging to Sir A. Cunningham. 18. Sculpture of Buddha in ‘Witness-attitude’ on attaining Buddhahood under the tree [480] From a niche high up on the western side of the Buddha-Gayā temple. It has the ‘Ye dharmā’ formula ([p. 104]) inscribed on each side. It is half the size of the original sculpture. Probable date about the 11th century. 19. Sculpture found at Buddha-Gayā representing the earliest Triad, viz. Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha [485] The drawing is from a photograph belonging to Sir A. Cunningham, described at [p. 484]. 20. Votive Stūpa found at Buddha-Gayā [To face 505] Probable date about 9th or 10th century of our era. 21. Clay model of a small votive Stūpa [506] Selected from several which the author saw in the act of being made by a monk outside a monastery in British Sikkim in 1884. This model probably contains the ‘Ye dharmā’ or some other formula on a seal inside. The engraving is exactly the size of the original.
RULES FOR PRONUNCIATION.
VOWELS.
A, a, pronounced as in rural, or the last a in America; Ā, ā, as in tar, father; I, i, as in fill; Ī, ī, as in police; U, u, as in bull; Ū, ū, as in rude; Ṛi, ṛi, as in merrily; Ṛī, ṛī, as in marine; E, e, as in prey; Ai, ai, as in aisle; O, o, as in go; Au, au, as in Haus (pronounced as in German).
CONSONANTS.
K, k, pronounced as in kill, seek; Kh, kh, as in inkhorn; G, g, as in gun, dog; Gh, gh, as in loghut; Ṅ, ṅ, as ng in sing (siṅ).