The Theosophists as Buddhists and Buddhologists Buddhism and Theosophy

1 theosophists buddhists , buddhologists

1.1 founders of theosophical society
1.2 anagarika dharmapala
1.3 christmas humphreys
1.4 watts , conze
1.5 d. suzuki , b. suzuki

the theosophists buddhists , buddhologists
the founders of theosophical society

25 may 1880 blavatsky , olcott embraced buddhism: publicly took in galle refuges , pancasila prominent sinhalese bhikkhu. olcott , blavatsky (she received citizenship previously) first americans converted buddhism in traditional sense.

in buddhology there impression theosophical buddhists forerunners of subsequent western, or, called, white of buddhists. in addition, have attempted rationalize buddhism, clear doctrine, removing elements of folk superstition . in addition, tried identify buddhism esoteric doctrine, recognizing lord buddha master-adept. , finally, considered duty provide assistance , political support oppressed sinhalese buddhists.

theosophical revival of buddhism

in 1880 olcott began build buddhist educational movement in ceylon. in 1880 there 2 schools in ceylon managed buddhists. due efforts of olcott number rose 205 schools , 4 colleges in 1907 (ananda college in colombo, mahinda college in galle, dharmaraja college in kandy , maliyadeva college in kurunegala). began great buddhist revival in ceylon. olcott represented buddhist cause british government, , found redress restrictions imposed against buddhists, such prohibition of processions, buddhist schools, improved financial administration of temple properties, , on.

olcott united sects of ceylon in buddhist section of theosophical society (1880); 12 sects of japan joint committee promotion of buddhism (1889); burma, siam, , ceylon convention of southern buddhists (1891); , northern , southern buddhism through joint signatures fourteen propositions of buddhism (1891).

anagarika dharmapala

an important part of olcott s work in ceylon became patronage of young buddhist don david hewavitharana, took himself later name anagarika dharmapala. dharmapala, founder maha bodhi society, sri lanka s national hero, 1 of major figures in movement revival of buddhism in ceylon during british colonial rule.

in december 1884 blavatsky, accompanied leadbeater , marrieds cooper-oakley came ceylon. leadbeater, following example of leaders of theosophical society, has officially become buddhist, without renouncing christianity (he anglican priest). david joined blavatsky s team go india.

upon arrival in india dharmapala member of theosophical society worked blavatsky , olcott. advised him devote himself service of benefit of mankind, , begin study pali , buddhist philosophy. sangharakshita wrote @ age of 20 years dharmapala equally fascinated both buddhism , theosophy.

after returning india, dharmapala worked in colombo general secretary of buddhist section of theosophical society, , director of buddhist press. in 1886, translator, when olcott , leadbeater made lecture tour of island. helped olcott in work on organization of buddhist schools. when olcott instructed leadbeater prepare shortened version of buddhist catechism, dharmapala undertook translate sinhala. work of dharmapala , theosophists contributed revival of buddhism in sri lanka , other countries of southern buddhism.

leadbeater has initiated organization in various parts of colombo large number of buddhist sunday schools. founded english school, later became known ananda college (one of famous schools of ceylon). among pupils of school young buddhist jinarajadasa, later worked fourth president of theosophical society adyar.

in 1893, dharmapala went west, first england , chicago, represented buddhism @ world parliament of religions. although 29 years old, famous representative of buddhism in parliament. @ conference, made several appearances on 3 main themes. firstly, said buddhism religion, consistent modern science, because buddhist teachings compatible doctrine of evolution. outlined buddhist idea cosmos sequential process of deployment in accordance laws of nature. secondly, dharmapala said in ethics of buddhism more love , compassion in sermons of christian missionaries working in ceylon. third paragraph of performances assertion buddhism religion of optimism , activity, in case not of pessimism , inactivity.

christmas humphreys

in 1924 in london humphreys founded buddhist lodge of theosophical society. according humphreys, conceptually theosophy , buddhism identical: single life after many incarnations returns unmanifest; individual consciousness unreal compared self , reflection of absolute; karma , reincarnation basic laws. path lays through self-fulfillment nirvana in end. thus, wrote humphreys, difference between theosophy , buddhism in emphasis.

thanks missionary efforts of dharmapala, in 1926 british buddhists established branch maha bodhi society. @ same time buddhist lodge transformed british buddhist society, president become humphreys. humphreys tireless lay buddhist lecturer, journalist, writer , organizer. author and/or editor of buddhist lodge monthly bulletin, buddhism in england, middle way, , theosophical review.

watts , conze

british philosopher , buddhist author alan watts became member of buddhist lodge of theosophical society in london @ age of 15. first book, spirit of zen came out when 19 years old.

another active member of theosophical society edward conze, later became famous buddhologist.

d. suzuki , b. suzuki

the famous buddhist philosopher , popularizer of zen d. t. suzuki , wife beatrice suzuki became members of theosophical society in tokyo in 1920; names appear on list of theosophical society members sent adyar on 12 may 1920. after moving kyoto in 1924, suzukis formed new branch of theosophical society called mahayana lodge. of lodge members university professors. in 1937 jinarajadasa, future president of theosophical society, read 2 lectures in tokyo translated japanese d. t. suzuki.

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