Such, in bare outline, is Southern Buddhism--in its origin a stoical
agnosticism which ignored the gods and bade men rely upon themselves
in following the paths of goodness that lead to happiness. Because it
thus ignored the deepest instincts of humanity, first by turning the
thoughts of men away from God, and again by glorifying celibacy, these
instincts, refusing to be snubbed, have taken a revenge, so that
to-day Buddhism survives, largely because of the teachings it has been
compelled to adopt in the process of moulding itself "nearer to the
heart's desire." This may be illustrated in two ways. _Nibbāna_ at
best, originally, an ideal of negative, solitary bliss, has been
replaced by an ideal of social life hereafter. Moreover, faith in
self-mastery has given place to prayers for help, or, among the most
conservative, to the belief that there is a store of merit gained by
the sacrificial lives of the Buddhas throughout the ages, which may be
"tapped" by the faithful.
Buddhism has thus passed through an interesting history of adjustment.
It is important for the student of religion to give close attention to
this history, one of the most amazing and fascinating chapters in
human thought.
[7] Sanskrit, _Bhikshu_. It means "mendicant."
[8] _Dhamma_ means "law" or "teaching."
[9] The _Rig-Veda_ is a great anthology of religion. The Vedas are
early religious Books in which a joyous nature-worship predominates.
[10] _Nirvāna_ means to the Hindu reabsorption into the Absolute
_Brahman_. To Buddhists it is variously expounded by their teachers as
either (a) annihilation, or (b) a heaven of bliss, or (c) annihilation
of evil desire, _i.e._ of all clinging to life. Western Buddhist
writers call it usually by some such phrase as "The great Peace,"
which is vague enough to mean any of the three!