This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI. MONGOLIAN BUDDHISM. Buddhism as it exists now in Mongolia--Power of Buddhism over its votaries--Noble ideas it has given the Mongols-- Immortality of the soul--Ten black sins--Five Zabsar ugwei sins -- Rewards and punishments--Humanity-- Heaven and Hell--Power of prayer--Adaptation to the capacity of its votaries--Motives are recognized--Resemblances between Buddhism and Christianity--Buddhism hinders material prosperity; by the number of lamas; by its arrogant self-sufficiency--Hinders learning--Oppression exercised by the lamas--Deceit practised by them--The living Buddha system--The lama system a curse; to the lamas themselves; to the people generally--Buddhism has no intelligent worship--Buddhistic worship is debasing--Buddhistic good works often do harm--Buddhism makes men sin in actions which are indifferent--Buddhism fails to produce holiness--Buddhism is a usurper. THIS chapter does not profess to give a systematic account of Buddhism. On that subject numerous and learned treatises have been written, with which most people are more or less familiar. What I propose here to do, is to consider the superficial aspects of Buddhism--the practical part of it, as embodied in the life and habits of the Mongols at the present day. One of the first things the missionary notices in coming into contact with the Mongols, is the completeness of the sway exercised over them by their religion. Meet a Mongol on the road, and the probability is, that he is saying his prayers and counting his heads as he rides along. Ask him where he is going and on what errand, as the custom is, and likely he will tell you he is going to some shrine to worship. Follow him to the temple, and there you will find him one of a company with dust-marked...