KUMAMOTO, August, 1893.
MY DEAR OCHIAI,--It has given me much pleasure to hear of your success
at the examinations. I wish you all good fortune for the coming year,
and good health to aid you.
I want also to talk to you about another matter very much to your
interest. Please pay attention to my words, and think about them. I only
wish your happiness;--therefore remember that what I say deserves your
attention and your thought.
I want to talk to you about Christianity, as a religion,--not as a
_shū_, or sect. I hope you will understand the distinction I make.
A religion is a moral belief which causes men to live honestly and to
be kind and good to each other. A sect is made by a _difference_ of
belief as to what is true religious teaching. Thus in Buddhism there
are many sects or _shū_; and in Christianity, there are also many
sects or _shū_. But it is not what makes the sects that has made
Buddhism. Neither is it what has made the Christian sects that has made
Christianity. Truth makes a religion--moral truth; sects are made by
differences of opinion about the meaning of _kyō_, or the meaning of
other sacred texts.
So much for this. I want now to tell you, as your friend, that it is
_not_ Christianity to refuse to bow before the portrait of the Emperor,
or before the tombs of the great dead. If anybody tells you that is
Christianity,--that person is not a Christian, but a bigot, and an
enemy of his country. Whenever we sing the English national anthem, we
take off our hats. Whenever we enter into the presence of one of Her
Majesty's representatives, we take off our hats. We stand up to drink
Her Majesty's health. We are taught that the Queen rules by divine
command. It is the same in Germany, in Austria, in Italy, in Spain,--in
all except republican countries. So much for that. It is quite right,
even for a Christian, to bow before the Emperor's picture;--it is loyal,
noble, and good to do it. To refuse to do it is ignorant and vulgar. It
is not Christian at all.
Now about the question of tombs and temples. What is the Christian
custom? The Christian custom is to pay proper and just respect to
the religion which other people believe in. If I go into a Christian
church,--although I am not a Christian,--I must take off my hat. If I
go into a Mohammedan mosque, I must take off my shoes. Such tokens of
respect are purely social,--they are just and right. In Mexico, for
example, when a religious procession passes, everybody who is polite
takes off his hat. That means,--"Although I am not of your religion,
I respect your religion,--your prayers to heaven, and your wish to be
good."
Again, when a funeral goes by, we take off our hats. That means,
"Although none of _my_ friends have died, I sympathize with your
sorrow." It is courteous and it is right.
Whatever you believe, my dear Ochiai, you need never refuse to show
respect to the tomb of an Emperor, to the memory of an ancestor, or the
religion of another people or another country. Christianity teaches
no such discourtesy. Only bigots teach it,--and even they teach it
for reasons you are not able to understand. I do not want to question
your religious belief at all;--that is not my duty. I want only to
talk to you about social action in reference to _real_ religion. No
honest religion ought to cause you any unhappiness, or to cause you
to be blamed by others. Religion ought to be of the heart. It is not
a question of hats and shoes. Do not refuse to show respect to honest
customs and honest reverence for ancestors, by a bow, or a removal of
the hat. It will injure your prospects in life to make ill will for
yourself by refusing to show respect to the beliefs of your nation
and country. Such respect has nothing to do with your faith;--it is a
question of social politeness and gentlemanliness. And when you refuse,
you will not be judged for your belief,--not at all. You will simply be
thought vulgar,--not a true gentleman.
A true gentleman respects _all_ religions. That is the real Western
idea. Do not deceive yourself.
This from your true friend and teacher,