This
is manifested by the impermanence of human beings. But yet
whenever necessary I will hereafter make my appearance from time
to time as a god, a sage, or a Buddha."--Last words of Shaka the
Buddha, in Japanese biography.
"It is our opinion that Buddhism cannot long hold its ground,
and that Christianity must finally prevail throughout all
Japan.... Now, when Buddhism and Christianity are in conflict
for the ascendency, this indifference of the Japanese people to
the difference of sects is a great disadvantage to Buddhism.
That they should worship Jesus Christ with the same mind as they
do _Inari_ or _Mi[=o]jin_ is not at all inconsistent in their
estimation or contrary to their custom."--Fukuzawa, of
T[=o]ki[=o].
"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God,
follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."--Elijah.
"Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?"--Jesus.
"Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and
bitter?"--James.
"What concord hath Christ with Belial?"--Paul.
CHAPTER VII - RIY[=O]BU, OR MIXED BUDDHISM
Syncretism in Religion.
Two centuries and a half of Buddhism in Japan, showed the leaders and
teachers of the Indian faith that complete victory over the whole nation
was yet very far off.
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