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MODERN BUDDHISM. services in which Kwan-yin is worshipped and inyoked, while at the same time Buddha and the other Bodhisatvas are duly honoured. One prayer runs thus: “May the all-seeing and all-powerful Kwan-yin, in virtue of her vow, come hither to us as we recite the sentences and remove from us the three obstacles (of impure thought, word, and deed).” Professor Beal gives the following translation from the Chinese of the confession or "act of faith" in Kwan-yin :
“All hail, good, compassionate Kwan-yin!
Though I were thrown on the Mountain of Knives, They should not hurt me; Though cast into the lake of fire, It should not burn me; Though surrounded by famished ghosts, They should not touch me; Though exposed to the power of devils, They should not reach me; Though changed into a beast, Yet should I rise to heaven.
All hail, compassionate Kwan-yin." Incense is burnt, flowers and food are offered, and invocations are repeated again and again to Kwan-yin and Amitabha, with appropriate readings from the sacred books, some of them in Sanskrit and unintelligible alike to priests and people, but supposed to have a magic effect.
The distinctive worship of Amitabha is practised Amitabha. by many, both in China and Japan; they are called the "pure land” sect, who rely on Amitabha to effect their entrance to the bright paradise. The mere repetition of the name with concentrated and undivided attention is believed to ensure paradise; he is also invoked by the form “Praise to Amita Buddha," and the most extravagant promises are made to those who rightly invoke him. This is the prevailing form of Buddhist worship in many parts of China, and it is very popular owing to its putting out of sight Nirvana and presenting a heaven of conscious happiness and joy to the believer.
At the temple Pi-yun-si, west of Pekin, there is a hall of 500 departed saints, arrayed in six parallel galleries ; the figures are of clay, full-sized, and seated. In another
