File:Ridpath's history of the world; being an account of the ethnic origin, primitive estate, early migrations, social conditions and present promise of the principal families of men (1897) (14597044388).jpg

Identifier: ridpathshistoryo01ridp (find matches)
Title: Ridpath's history of the world; being an account of the ethnic origin, primitive estate, early migrations, social conditions and present promise of the principal families of men ..
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Ridpath, John Clark, 1840-1900
Subjects: World history Ethnology
Publisher: New York, Merrill & Baker
Contributing Library: Mugar Memorial Library, Boston University
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston University

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ism remains to the present day. While Buddhism had temporary andlocal success in the land of its origin,its great triumph was achieved by itsdissemination in foreign lands. It swepteastward and northward to the limits ofthe furthest oceans, carrying with it agreat proportion of the Mongoloid racesof mankind, but the elder faith held itsown against the innovation in the valleysof India, and continued to bear up itsvast system of inane speculation as thebetter theory of life and destiny. It is impossible to convey to one whohas not personally acquainted himself THE INDICANS.— RELIGION. 671 with the degradation of the Brahmanica)faith and practice an adequate ideaDebasing char- of its debasing character.Bralmlnlcli Its ceremonies are not onlyceremonies. offensive to the human understand- interest. The usage until recently muchin vogue was sutteeism, or the devotionto death of the widow of a dead husbandon his funeral pyre. This was regardedand is still regarded, as an act of the and /
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irrational foolish asexpressions ofreligious faith,but they are dis-gusting to tasteand indecent tothe eyes of mo-rality. The de-generation of thesystem is com-plete, its ruinoverwhelm-ing. Whateverpotency it mayhave had in for-mer centuries topurify the theoryand practice ofhuman life, oreven to controlits violence ormoderate its ex-cesses, has longsince passedaway, and inaneceremonies andridiculous dog-mas are all thatremain. These,however, are suf-ficient to upholdthe Brahmanicalascendency in India, and until this is broken, neitherBuddhism nor any other system of faithcan penetrate the gloom and despair ofthe Indian mind. A few instances of the external, visi-ble aspect of Brahmanism may prove of ^^^j&^. V INDICAN FUNERAL TYRE AND SUTTEEAfter a Persinn miniature. highest merit. The woman was taughtto believe that bv immolat- Practice of sut- ing herself in this manner teeism•. the rite , -. ,, . ... • , ■ not obligatory. she should enjoy thirty-five million of years with

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