Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 617

REASON VERSUS REVELATION
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rluence which they have gained over minds that apparently
will recognize as true only what dazzles the imagination,
So true it is, that
or what is contrary to common sense.
mere reason is totally unable to raise mankind to a know-
ledge of God in fact, no real religious cult can spring
from man's reason alone. The more one reflects upon the
gross absurdities pertaining to the idolatry of the Hindus,
the more convinced one becomes of the inestimable benefit
of Revelation, whereby the Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
in Himself incomprehensible, reveals Himself to His
;
creatures.
CHAPTER IV
— Ceremonies performed in them. — Temples built on
Mountains. — Pyramids. — The Architecture of Pagodas. — The Shape
and Ornaments of the Idols. — Their Consecration. — Sacred
Temple Priests and Servants. — Sacrificers. — Dancing-girls. — Musi-
cians. — Hindu Music. — Brahmin Tricks and Artifices for attracting
Worshippers. — The Hindu Desire for Children. — The Revolting
Practices to which they submit to obtain them. — Remarkable
Ceremonies and Vows. — Prostitution in Certain Temples. — Religious
Tortures. — The Rape of Women. — Famous Temples. — Tirupati.
Jagannathr. — Public Processions. — General Remarks.
Hindu Temples.
Pillars.
Buildings dedicated to religious worship are extremely
numerous in India. There are few villages or hamlets
which have not at least one. It is even a generally received
opinion that no place should be inhabited where there is
no temple, for otherwise the inhabitants would run grave
risks of misfortune.
Among the good works expected of the rich, one of the
most honourable and most meritorious consists in spending
a part of their fortune in the construction and endowment
Such munificence, it is argued,
of these sacred buildings.
is an infallible means of obtaining the protection of the
gods, remission of one's sins, and admission into an Abode
But vanity, ostentation, and desire
of Bliss after death.
to attract attention are much more powerful factors, if
indeed they are not the only ones that excite beneficence
on the part of the wealthy.
Besides the temples with which all villages are provided,
one finds many erected in isolated spots, in woods, on the
highways, in the middle of rivers, on the borders of tanks
Dl'ROIS
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