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China: Its History, Arts, and Literature/Volume 3/Chapter 3

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    Note 3.—Translated by Mr. H. A Giles.

    Note 4.—There were anchorites before the time of Laotsu. Confucius more than once condemned such a manner of searching after truth. But the promulgation of Laotsu's doctrines gave a great impetus to the habit.

    Note 5.—Faber's "Mind of Mencius."

    Note 6.—The six conditions of sentient existence are called the six gati, or paths of transmigration, by the Buddhists, from whom the Taoists borrowed the idea of metempsychosis and the tortures of hell. These paths are devas, men, asuras, beings in hell, pretas and animals, the three last being called the "Three States."

    Note 7.—Mr. H. A. Giles remarks: "Yet this belief has not prevented the establishment, especially on the Yangtse, of institutions provided with life-boats for the express purpose of saving life in these dangerous waters. So true is it that when the Chinese people wish to move en masse in any given direction the fragile barrier of superstition is trampled down and scattered to the winds."