ABSTRACT
The province of Szechwan lies in southwest China, encircled by high mountain ranges that define it as a geographical region as well as a political unit. Agriculturally, Szechwan is distinctive for the great variety of its products: “Everything that can be grown anywhere in the country can be grown.” Szechwan was not incorporated into the political structure of China Proper until the fourth and third centuries b.c. Prior to that time, it was distinct and apart, and received strong cultural influences from India as well as from China. Important political changes took place in Szechwan during that period. There are four different branches of the Brothers’ Society in Hsiehmahsiang. Although they have different names, they subscribe to the same principles and cooperate closely. In 1947, the Pahsien subsidy to Hsiehmahsiang was larger than the Hsiang’s income from all of its taxes, and the total income of the Hsiang Office—even including the subsidy—was extremely small.
