Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 339

TOLERANCE FOR OTHER RELIGIONS
299
But there is one essential difference between these ancient
the former were few
philosophers and the modern Hindus
in number, and lacked the necessary means and influence
which would have enabled them to make an impression on
the multitude and successfully combat the errors into
which it had fallen whereas the Brahmins, owing to their
numbers and to the high estimation in which they are held
by the public, could easily, if they wished, and if their
interests and their vices were not opposed thereto, over-
throw the entire edifice of idolatry throughout the whole
of India, and substitute the knowledge and worship of
the true God, of whom they already possess so perfect
:
;
an
idea.
Brahmins do not confine themselves to professing devotion
to all the Hindu deities.
Though the rules of their caste
forbid their indulging in any outward signs of worship to
the gods of other nations, one of the principles taught in
their books and recognized by them is that, among the
many different religions to be found throughout the world,
and which they call Anantaveda, there is not one that should
be despised and condemned. They might even entertain
some feeling of respect for Mahomedanism, encumbered
though it is with so much outward form and ceremony,
and with the many superstitions with which the Indian
Mahomedans have invested it, had not the harsh and
oppressive rule of the latter, as well as their open con-
tempt for the civil and religious institutions of the rest of
the inhabitants, made their persons and their religion equally
odious to the Hindus.
The Christian religion
Brahmins
commands the approbation of
They admire its pure and
in several respects.
morality
but, at the
holy
same time, they hold that
some of its precepts are beyond man's power of fulfilment,
and that its sublimely high standard of morality is only
;
suitable for persons leading a contemplative life, who have
retired from the world and are consequently sheltered from
its temptations.
On the other hand, as Christianity con-
demns most of their customs and superstitions, it has on
that account become most hateful to them. The Hindu
who embraces it is not considered to belong to the same
nation as themselves, because his new religion forces him