ABSTRACT
I t is a common characteristic of the rites which have been discussed up to this point that they are not only primarily social in function, they are also generally considered by the people who perform them to belong to the sphere of social obligation or hallowed custom rather than to the sphere of religious faith. This is abundantly clear from the following fact. The question: ‘What religion are you in your family?’ produces in overwhelming proportions the reply ‘Buddhism’ which refers to the fact that the family has a family temple on whose services it calls if need by. On the other hand, the question: ‘Do you personally have any religious belief ?’ 269 produces eighty-eight noes out of a hundred.
