ful as jasper." Splendid temples were erected to him, and he
was worshiped as a _god_. His disciples were called "Heavenly Teachers."
They inculcated great tenderness toward animals, and considered strict
celibacy necessary for the attainment of perfect holiness. Lao-kiun
believed in _One God_ whom he called _Tao_, and the sect which he formed
is called _Tao-tse_, or "Sect of Reason." Sir Thomas Thornton, speaking
of him, says:

"The mythological history of this 'prince of the doctrine of
the _Taou_,' which is current amongst his followers,
_represents him as a divine emanation incarnate in a human
form_. They term him the 'most high and venerable prince of
the portals of gold of the palace of the _genii_,' and say
that he condescended to a contact with humanity when he became
incorporated with the 'miraculous and excellent Virgin of
jasper.' Like Buddha, he came out of his mother's side, and
was born under a tree.

"The legends of the _Taou-tse_ declare their founder to have
existed antecedent to the birth of the elements, in the Great
Absolute; that he is the 'pure essence of the teen;' that he
is the 'original ancestor of the prime breath of life;' and
that he gave form to the heavens and the earth."[120:2]

M. Le Compte says:

"Those who have made this (the religion of Taou-tsze) their
professed business, are called _Tien-se_, that is, 'Heavenly
Doctors;' they have houses (Monasteries) given them to live
together in society; they erect, in divers parts, temples to
their master, and king and people honor him with _divine_
worship."

_Yu_ was another _virgin-born_ Chinese sage, who is said to have lived
upon earth many ages ago. Confucius--as though he had been questioned
about him--says: "I see no defect in the character of Yu. He was sober
in eating and drinking, and eminently pious toward spirits and
ancestors."[120:3]

_Hau-ki_, the Chinese hero, was of supernatural origin.

The following is the history of his birth, according to the "Shih-King:"

"His mother, who was childless, had presented a pure offering
and sacrificed, that her childlessness might be taken away.
She then trod on a toe-print made by God, and was
moved,[121:1] in the large place where she rested. She became
pregnant; she dwelt retired; she gave birth to and nourished a
son, who was _Hau-ki_. When she had f