DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9550#0151
INTRODUCTION.
My reflections upon these solemn truths have been
most painful for many years. I have never ceased to
contemplate with the strongest feelings of regret, the
obstinate adherence of my countrymen to their fatal
system of idolatry, inducing, for the sake of propitiating
their supposed Deities, the violation of every humane
and social feeling. And this in various instances ; but
more especially in the dreadful acts of self-destruction
and the immolation of the nearest relations, under the
delusion of conforming to sacred religious rites. I
have never ceased, I repeat, to contemplate these
practices with the strongest feelings of regret, and to
view in them the moral debasement of a race who, I
cannot help thinking, are capable of better things;
whose susceptibility, patience, and mildness of character,
render them worthy of a better destiny. Under these
impressions, therefore, I have been impelled to lay
before them genuine translations of parts of their
scripture, which inculcates not only the enlightened
worship of one God, but the purest principles of
morality, accompanied with such notices as I deemed
requisite to oppose the arguments employed by the
Brahmins in defence of their beloved system. Most
earnestly do I pray that the whole may, sooner or
later, prove efficient in producing on the minds of
Hindoos in general, a conviction of the rationality of
believing in and adoring the Supreme Being only;
together with a complete perception and practice of
that grand and comprehensisve moral principle—Do
unto others as ye would be done by.
My reflections upon these solemn truths have been
most painful for many years. I have never ceased to
contemplate with the strongest feelings of regret, the
obstinate adherence of my countrymen to their fatal
system of idolatry, inducing, for the sake of propitiating
their supposed Deities, the violation of every humane
and social feeling. And this in various instances ; but
more especially in the dreadful acts of self-destruction
and the immolation of the nearest relations, under the
delusion of conforming to sacred religious rites. I
have never ceased, I repeat, to contemplate these
practices with the strongest feelings of regret, and to
view in them the moral debasement of a race who, I
cannot help thinking, are capable of better things;
whose susceptibility, patience, and mildness of character,
render them worthy of a better destiny. Under these
impressions, therefore, I have been impelled to lay
before them genuine translations of parts of their
scripture, which inculcates not only the enlightened
worship of one God, but the purest principles of
morality, accompanied with such notices as I deemed
requisite to oppose the arguments employed by the
Brahmins in defence of their beloved system. Most
earnestly do I pray that the whole may, sooner or
later, prove efficient in producing on the minds of
Hindoos in general, a conviction of the rationality of
believing in and adoring the Supreme Being only;
together with a complete perception and practice of
that grand and comprehensisve moral principle—Do
unto others as ye would be done by.