[Buddhism as a Philosophy, not a Religion]
“A Lecture on the Peculiarities of Hindu Literature”—delivered at the Triplicane Hindu Literary Society of Madras, by C. T. Winfred, B.A—is… Read More »[Buddhism as a Philosophy, not a Religion]
buddhism
Writings related to Buddhism
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
Misconceptions: A Response to Various Criticisms
A France, why do you misunderstand us? European and American Journalists, why don’t you study genuine Theosophy before criticizing it?… Read More »Misconceptions: A Response to Various Criticisms
Light of Asia: The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana)
Preface In the following Poem I have sought, by the medium of an imaginary Buddhist votary, to depict the life… Read More »Light of Asia: The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana)
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
Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
Besides the supreme figure of the Buddha and the noble personalities of his leading disciples, a host of men and… Read More »Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
Buddha’s Method
“If a Bhikshu should desire, brethren, by the complete destruction of the three bonds to become purified, to be no… Read More »Buddha’s Method
Dhammapada (Theosophy Co. Rendition)
“This is not a new translation. It is only a rendition. Over a score of translations have been consulted in… Read More »Dhammapada (Theosophy Co. Rendition)
Nagarjuna
Often viewed as the greatest or most important philosopher of the Buddhists, 1 Nāgārjuna plays a central role in the… Read More »Nagarjuna
The Six Paramitas (Perfections)
HPB gives them as: 1. DANA, the key of charity and love immortal. 2. SHILA, the key of Harmony in… Read More »The Six Paramitas (Perfections)
Philosophy of the Yogācāra
The Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism, as far as it is known in China and Tibet, divides itself into two great schools,… Read More »Philosophy of the Yogācāra
Vedantism and Buddhism
In the review of the Vedantasara on page 318 of Vol. IV of the Theosophist, I find the reviewer asserting… Read More »Vedantism and Buddhism
Notes on the Mādhyamika Philosophy
The Mādhyamika School is known in China as the “Three Çāstra Sect” which was first introduced by Kumāra-jīva in A.D.… Read More »Notes on the Mādhyamika Philosophy
The Law of the Lord Sakya Muni
By the Rev. Mohottivatte Gunanande, Chief Priest of Dipaduttama Vihare, Colombo, Ceylon; Member of the General Council of the Theosophical… Read More »The Law of the Lord Sakya Muni
The Mādhyamika School in China
History. The introduction of the Mādhyamika philosophy into China, according to an opinion prevalent among Japanese and Chinese Buddhists, was… Read More »The Mādhyamika School in China
The Nature and Office of Buddha’s Religion
By the Rt. Rev. H. Sumangala, High Priest of Adam’s Peak, and President of Widyodaya College; Senior Buddhist Member of… Read More »The Nature and Office of Buddha’s Religion
Buddhism, The Fulfilment of Hinduism
I am not a Buddhist, as you have heard, and yet I am. If China, or Japan, or Ceylon follow… Read More »Buddhism, The Fulfilment of Hinduism
Japanese Buddhist Sects
I In Japan there are twelve principal Buddhist sects, all of them having different names and with different reasons for… Read More »Japanese Buddhist Sects
Buddhism
For this is the message we have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; but how shall… Read More »Buddhism
Tsongkhapa and the Teachings of the Wisdom Tradition
Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was the founder of the Gelugpa or “Yellow Hat” order of Tibetan Buddhism. This soon became the dominant… Read More »Tsongkhapa and the Teachings of the Wisdom Tradition
[Notes on “Buddhist Doctrine of the Western Heaven”]
Article selections by Rev. Joseph Edkins | Notes by H.P.B. On the interest attaching to the hope of a future… Read More »[Notes on “Buddhist Doctrine of the Western Heaven”]
The Language of the Buddhist Scriptures: Pali
Pali is the name that has been given to the language spoken in the north of India, from and before… Read More »The Language of the Buddhist Scriptures: Pali
The Vedas: Soil of Buddhism
In ancient cultures, such as that of the Indo-Aryans or the Druids, literacy and education were not considered of general… Read More »The Vedas: Soil of Buddhism
Buddhism: The Path of Compassion
Buddhism is known as a religion of enlightenment and emancipation or freedom. Buddha is a generic name given to one… Read More »Buddhism: The Path of Compassion
Dolpopa on svabhāva
Dolpopa, the major writer of the Jonang order of Tibetan Buddhism, taught that ultimate reality, referred to by him under… Read More »Dolpopa on svabhāva
Prajnaparamita-Hridaya-Sutra (The Heart Sutra)
[Introduction] This scripture has always been held in the greatest veneration in Mahayana countries. In China and Japan there are… Read More »Prajnaparamita-Hridaya-Sutra (The Heart Sutra)
The Doctrinal Position of the Wisdom Tradition: Great Madhyamaka
It has now become possible to identify the specific school or tradition of Buddhism in Tibet that represents the doctrinal… Read More »The Doctrinal Position of the Wisdom Tradition: Great Madhyamaka
Prehistoric Svabhāvavāda
Part 1 Svabhāvavāda, the doctrine of svabhāva or inherent nature, as the cause of the world, is old. It is… Read More »Prehistoric Svabhāvavāda
A Svābhāvika School of Buddhism?
Part 1 As already discussed here, the alleged Svābhāvika school of Buddhism in Nepal that is spoken of in many… Read More »A Svābhāvika School of Buddhism?
Theosophy and Buddhism
Theosophy is the modern name given by H. P. Blavatsky towhat is described by her as the once universal but… Read More »Theosophy and Buddhism
Gautama, The Lord Buddha, and His Teachings
“Buddhism teaches an evolution or development of this x-factor of consciousness and will [the Karman, the Dhyani-Buddha, or the Reincarnating… Read More »Gautama, The Lord Buddha, and His Teachings
The Wisdom of Emptiness
Understanding “emptiness” is presented in Buddhism as the culmination of religious training. It is attained through the systematic practice of… Read More »The Wisdom of Emptiness
The Divine Discontent of Gautama the Buddha
Twenty-five hundred years ago there was born to the royal family of the Sakya clan, a son, the Prince Siddartha,… Read More »The Divine Discontent of Gautama the Buddha
Dhammapada, Wisdom of the Buddha
Contents Illustration of Palm Leaf Manuscript Foreword Introduction Acknowledgments Canto I – The Twin Verses II – On Vigilance III –… Read More »Dhammapada, Wisdom of the Buddha
The Birth of Zen Buddhism
It is said — and what is tradition but truth in the robes of poetry? — that once, when the… Read More »The Birth of Zen Buddhism
The Nature of Zen Buddhism
There are men, and plenty of them, who think that when something has been classified in accordance with the prevailing… Read More »The Nature of Zen Buddhism
In Search of Zen
Asked, “What is Zen?”, there is only one truthful answer, “That’s it!” For Zen is beyond description. It is the… Read More »In Search of Zen
The Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
In regard to the work Peaks and Lamas 1 we agree with Dr Coomaraswamy’s appreciation in Asia magazine that this:… Read More »The Tibetan Buddhist Tradition