Anatole France On Ven Hikkaduve Sumangala.docx

The progress of comparative philology and of the science of religions has greatly advanced our knowledge of Buddhism. It must also be recognized that, during the last few years, the group of Theosophists, whose opinions are so peculiar, have largely contributed to the propagation in France and England of Sakya-Muni's precepts. Meanwhile the arch-priest of the Southern Church in Ceylon, Sumangala, offered a most favourable reception to modern science. This old man, with his light bronzecoloured face, draped majestically in his yellow robe, read Herbert Spencer's works as he chewed betel-nut. Buddhism, in its universal benevolence,is kind to Science, and Sumangala was pleased to place Darwin and Littre among his saints, as having shown, like the ascetics of the jungle, zeal of heart, good will, and contempt for the riches of this world. By the way, the Southern Church, ruled by Sumangala, is more rationalistic and liberal than the Northern one, of which the apostolic seat is in Thibet. It is credible enough that on close examination the two communions are disfigured by mean practices and gross superstitions, but, if we consider only its spirit,Buddhism is wholly compact of wisdom, love and pity. On the ist May, 1890, while an agitation, happily restricted, but which revealed by its universality a new force, and one to be reckoned with, was raising the dust of capitals in the spring sunshine, chance Anatole France, ON LIFE AND LETTERS 3rd Series, A TRANSLATION BY D. B. STEWART, 1922,London.