Sakya Muni’s Place in History
7. Buddha’s birth is placed (on p. 141) in the year 643 B.C.. Is this date given by the Adepts as… Read More »Sakya Muni’s Place in History
buddhism
Writings related to Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism, from which most of the technical terms in the Secret Doctrine are drawn, has been hitherto almost an… Read More »Tibetan Buddhism
A Buddhist Doctrine
There are twelve principal Buddhist sects in Japan. These are: Ku-Sha-Shiu, Jo-Jitsu-Shiu, Ris-Shiu, Ho-so-Shiu, San Ron-Shiu, Ke-Gon-Shiu, Ten-Dai-Shiu, Shin-Gon-Shiu, Jo-Do-Shiu,… Read More »A Buddhist Doctrine
Buddha: The Life of Siddhartha Gautama
Over the centuries there have been numerous biographies of Gautama the Buddha in various formats, from the ancient traditional biographies, to epic poems like Sir Edwin Arnold’s Light of Asia, to articles, modern biographies and documentaries. Throughout all of these we find certain keynotes, certain events and ideas that form a basis for the life of Buddha, but we also find more fantastical aspects to the stories. Modern scholars tend to dismiss the latter as merely “mythological” or exaggerated, and they seek (and fail) to find the “real Buddha” by stripping these away. In the present biography, we will attempt to trace not only the historical basis for the life of the Buddha, but to unveil, as much as is possible, some of the symbolism involved in the traditional accounts. How far we are successful in so doing is left to the reader to decide.
The Chain of Causation
It is the custom of Orientalists to speak of Buddhism as a religion, and a very beautiful and intuitional book… Read More »The Chain of Causation
The Buddha’s Life
We first heard of Buddhism, it may almost be said, through the works of Brian Houghton Hodgson, and his explorations… Read More »The Buddha’s Life
Wise and Foolish Disciples
With the single exception, perhaps, of The Light of Asia, the popular narratives of the Buddha’s life surround the great… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples
Buddhist Morals
In a recent issue of the China Mail appears an account of the destruction of the “Temple of Longevity,” one… Read More »Buddhist Morals
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
The Origin of Evil
The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil
The Nativity of Buddha
I feel more convinced than ever that Ashva Ghosha’s Sanskrit Life of Buddha will be the Life of Buddha which… Read More »The Nativity of Buddha
The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Tsongkhapa is an extremely significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His impact has been compared to that of Thomas Aquinas in… Read More »The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Buddhism in America
To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—As, in your leading article of May 6th, I am at one moment given credit… Read More »Buddhism in America
The Noble Eightfold Path
I. There are two extremes, Brothers, that he who has renounced should shun. On the one side, the constant following… Read More »The Noble Eightfold Path
Buddha and Ambapali
In the story of the Buddha’s final journey and Paranirvana, recorded beautifully in the Maha-parinibbana Sutta,1 we are confronted with… Read More »Buddha and Ambapali
Building on Recollection
While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men… Read More »Building on Recollection
The Ladder of Consciousness
Many Orientalists of a by-gone day, misled, perhaps, by learned but undiscerning Southern Buddhists, held that Nirvana, the consummation of… Read More »The Ladder of Consciousness
Reincarnations in Tibet
So little is known by Europeans of what is going on in Tibet, and even in the more accessible Bhootan,… Read More »Reincarnations in Tibet
Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow
The great Buddha referred to two systems for the government of life which he said were each ignoble, and one… Read More »Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow
Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
The Fruits of Discipleship
The questions of King Ajatashatru, with the Buddha’s answers, make up the Sutta called The Fruits of Discipleship. There is… Read More »The Fruits of Discipleship
Kshatriya and Brahman
In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman
Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”
To the Editor, Sir,—My writing is prompted by the legitimate curiosity of a foreigner, who is studying the value of… Read More »Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”
Aryasanga
Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what… Read More »Aryasanga
Vestures of Consciousness
It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness
“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Toward the close of the nineteenth century, it was the custom among Occidental students of Buddhism to maintain that the… Read More »“For I Desired Mercy, and Not Sacrifice”
Discipline for Disciples
The rules of conduct which the Buddha enjoined on the members of his Order are embodied, as almost always, in… Read More »Discipline for Disciples
New York Buddhists
About two years ago, the question of Buddhism was greatly discussed in the American, especially the New York, papers. Many… Read More »New York Buddhists
Among the Celestials
We have been told that Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, born in the ancient city of… Read More »Among the Celestials
Some Parables of the Buddha
It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha
Buddhism Before Buddha
Letter from “An Outsider” | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: for some background on what “An Outsider” is here referencing, see… Read More »Buddhism Before Buddha
Buddha’s Renunciation
[Introduction] It is not quite certain when the poem, from which is taken this story of The Great Renunciation, was… Read More »Buddha’s Renunciation
[Notes on the Theosophical Society, Christianity, Buddhism and Vedanta]
Article Selections from “The Work of the Theosophical Societies” | Notes by H.P.B. Extracts from the President’s Letters to the… Read More »[Notes on the Theosophical Society, Christianity, Buddhism and Vedanta]
Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
I. In the first two Gospels, there is a story of gentle irony at the expense of the non-discerning disciples.… Read More »Self-Glorification or Self-Conquest
A Visit to the Buddha
Something has been said of the relation of Siddhartha the Compassionate to the Masters, according to the Suttas and more… Read More »A Visit to the Buddha
States of Consciousness
One of the Buddhist Suttas is known as the Potthapada Sutta, so called in honour of the Brahman to whom… Read More »States of Consciousness
Professor Max Müller on Buddhism
The distinguished Sanskritist Max Müller delivered last year before the University of Glasgow a series of lectures—called Gifford Lectures—upon Religions,… Read More »Professor Max Müller on Buddhism
Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The Buddha’s Former Births
[Introduction] Among the great religions of the world, none has been so greatly misunderstood in our day as the teaching… Read More »The Buddha’s Former Births
[Review:] “The Light of Asia”
[Review of The Light of Asia, by Sir Edwin Arnold] A timely work in poetical form, and one whose subject—perfect though… Read More »[Review:] “The Light of Asia”
Buddhistic Exegesis
We feel honored in being able to lay before Western thinkers, preliminary contributions from two of the most eminent priests… Read More »Buddhistic Exegesis
The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
For millenniums the Brahman community has dominated the religious and intellectual life of India. It may be added that, today,… Read More »The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos
Catechizing a Buddhist
The Doctrines of a Faith which in its Purity has no Dogmas. Its Practical Workings as a Religion. The Story… Read More »Catechizing a Buddhist
The Ideal Brahman
It has been suggested that the principal purpose of the Buddha, in all that he did and taught, was the… Read More »The Ideal Brahman
The Buddha’s Cosmology
The teaching of the Buddha, particularly where it is most profound and spiritual, is for all practical purposes identical with… Read More »The Buddha’s Cosmology
The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The manner in which the Buddhist scriptures came into being has set its mark on them in two ways. First,… Read More »The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Among the discourses of the Buddha there is one named the Lakkhana Suttanta. The first part of the Pali name… Read More »The Doctrine of the Divine Man
Nagarjuna
Often viewed as the greatest or most important philosopher of the Buddhists, 1 Nāgārjuna plays a central role in the… Read More »Nagarjuna