DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9552#0657
HINDOOISM AND CHRISTIANITY.
133
divine Ram, the son of Dushuruth by Koushilya his
mother according to the flesh, was composed either of
wood, stone or metal ? If you can find even one, there
may be some excuse for your mistake in supposing,
what is so wide of the fact. You may, of course, find
numerous consecrated images or statues of the Holy
Ram, in the Hindoo temples, formed of wood and other
materials, placed there for the pious purpose of attracting
the attention of Devotees to that Divine Incarnation,—
although many good Hindoos do not consider such
representations as necessary, and worship Ram directly
without the intervention of any sensible object. But can
you suppose for a moment that a model or picture of any
person, whether divine or human, can identify that being
with such representation or convert the original existence
into the same materials ? If this were the case, then the
number of men so unfortunate as to have statues or
portraits of themselves made, must lose their real essence
—their original elements necessarily degenerating into
stone, or paint and canvass.
But it is indisputable that neither the image of the
Holy Jesus in Roman Catholic Churches, nor the repre-
sentations of the Divine Ram in the Hindoo Temples,
are identified with either of those sacred persons.
As you have refused to publish my letter in answer to
Dr. Tytler's attack, I shall take an opportunity of sending
it directly to himself for his consideration and reply, and
purpose very soon laying this controversy before the
public through some other channel with proper mention
of your partial conduct, in. circulating Dr. Tytler's
insulting insinuations against the Hindoo Religion and
withholding rr?y answer thereto for its vindication. I
133
divine Ram, the son of Dushuruth by Koushilya his
mother according to the flesh, was composed either of
wood, stone or metal ? If you can find even one, there
may be some excuse for your mistake in supposing,
what is so wide of the fact. You may, of course, find
numerous consecrated images or statues of the Holy
Ram, in the Hindoo temples, formed of wood and other
materials, placed there for the pious purpose of attracting
the attention of Devotees to that Divine Incarnation,—
although many good Hindoos do not consider such
representations as necessary, and worship Ram directly
without the intervention of any sensible object. But can
you suppose for a moment that a model or picture of any
person, whether divine or human, can identify that being
with such representation or convert the original existence
into the same materials ? If this were the case, then the
number of men so unfortunate as to have statues or
portraits of themselves made, must lose their real essence
—their original elements necessarily degenerating into
stone, or paint and canvass.
But it is indisputable that neither the image of the
Holy Jesus in Roman Catholic Churches, nor the repre-
sentations of the Divine Ram in the Hindoo Temples,
are identified with either of those sacred persons.
As you have refused to publish my letter in answer to
Dr. Tytler's attack, I shall take an opportunity of sending
it directly to himself for his consideration and reply, and
purpose very soon laying this controversy before the
public through some other channel with proper mention
of your partial conduct, in. circulating Dr. Tytler's
insulting insinuations against the Hindoo Religion and
withholding rr?y answer thereto for its vindication. I