Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1884 — THE MONKS OF CHINA. [ARTICLE]

THE MONKS OF CHINA.

Life ia the Windowless Pagodas of Rest. Wong Chin Foo, formerly editor of the Chinese American, is a contributor to the columns of the Brooklyn Eagle. Of a Chinese brotherhood of ascetics he says: In the Flowery Kingdom men get tired of life, of society, of the endless struggle for existence, and retire to some retreat where they can pass their remaining days in quiet, study, and benefaction. These retreats (mi-au) correspond to the monasteries of Christian lands. They are invariably long brick buildings, one story in height, simple and solemn in architecture, and located either upon the mountains or in the depths of forests. Around the building is a windowless wall, symbolic of the busy life forever shut out from view. In the grounds, and upon the surrounding land, nature is assisted, but never interfered with. The flowers bloom and die, the trees grow gnarled and crooked, the weeds and creepers thrive until sometimes it would seem as if no human being lived in the vicinity. Close examination will show that every plant producing beautiful flowers or wholesome food and fruit is carefully watched and watered, and every resource of vegetation in supplying human wants husbanded to the last degree. This also is a symbolism of the brotherhood who tenant these retreats. To them the useful flower and tree represent the good of humanity ; the weeds the evil. The duty of a true manhood is to aid and develop those who are righteous, but not to injure the wrong-doer,. leaving to nature the task of eliminating the latter from her great economy. These retreats do not belong to specific orders, as in the Western civilization, but are founded by one or more persons for the simple sake of rest. The forms and ceremonies of admission amount to nothing. Any person who has failed in life, who has lost those he loved, who has sinned and repented, who is old and unable to work, is eligible. He presents himself, giving his name, address, and history, transfers to the brotherhood all he possesses, promises obedience to all lawful commands of the Brother Superior, loyalty, friendship, and sympathy to his fellow members, and devotion and aid to all human beings in sickness or distress. He is then admitted, given a new name and a new costume, assigned a room, instructed as to his duties, and the initiation is complete. From now on his life is fixed. Study and conversation, the cultivation of the field and garden, or the improvement of the retreat and the instruction of brothers who have been less favored, are his daily duties. At times he is sent out to obtain subscriptions for the common fund, or to nurse the sick or feed the starving, but these occur infrequently. The government of these brotherhoods is a pure autocracy. A Brother Superior governs for life. At his death he appoints a successor; if the appointment lapse or be not made, the brothers elect one of their own number. The regulations are about the same as in monasteries, omitting the element of religion. Cleanliness, sobriety, industry, chastity, intellectuality, charity, and humanity are the seven stars of their heaven. No woman is allowed to cross the threshold of the retreat; no wine, stimulant, or narcotic is permitted except for medical use; no quarreling, loud conversation, game of chance, indelicate or vulgar talk is allowed. Disobedience is punished by reprimand, suspension, temporary ostracism, or expulsion, according to the degree of the offense.