Page 37 - Malaysia by John Russel Denyes

break away from all profession of religion for th.e
period of their stay in Malaysia unless overtaken
by some misfortune, or in case of a wedding or a
birth. Then the priest is called in for the emer-
gency. In Malaysia caste is largely a dead letter.
The Brahmim and the low-caste man rub elbows
on the street, ride in the same trolley cars, and
sit together in the same offices, as often as not the
Brahmim taking orders from the low-caste chief
clerk.

Vigorous efforts are being made in the larger
cities to hold the educated young men to their
Indian faith, but Hinduism cannot endure the
democracy of the public schools. The low-caste
man who dared not allow his shadow to fall upon
the pathway of a high-caste man in India walks
the streets of Malaysia with his head erect. His
sons have an equal chance to "make good" in com-
mercial life and his daughters have no zenana to
dread. It is therefore not to be wondered at that
the religious bondage of Hinduism loses much of
its hold upon the people.

Buddho- Like the Indians the Chinese
Confucianism leave much of their religious"
theory and practice behind them
when they come to Malaysia. Ancestral worship
is practiced almost universally in the homes, and
offerings are made in the temples on the occasion
of special needs; but the Chinese religion cannot
be said to flourish among these peoples away from
home. There are no schools to teach the youth
the doctrines of their faith. Practically all that
the people know religiously is "custom.'' And
even the religious customs brought from China
are being steadily modified by contact with the
customs of the other peoples of Malaysia,
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