The Buddhist Catechism (1881) by Henry S. Olcott is a foundational text aimed at presenting the core teachings of Buddhism in a clear, accessible, and systematic format. Written in question-and-answer style, the catechism covers the life of the Buddha, key doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, ethical principles, and Buddhist cosmology. It was created to educate both Buddhists and non-Buddhists, emphasizing rationality and aligning with modern perspectives. Widely used in Sri Lankan schools, it remains influential in promoting Buddhist understanding and has contributed to the global spread of Buddhist teachings.
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907) was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer, and co-founder of the Theosophical Society. The first prominent American convert to Buddhism, he played a key role in reviving Buddhism in Sri Lanka, establishing schools, and creating the Buddhist Catechism (1881). Olcott promoted Buddhist modernism and helped design the Buddhist flag. His contributions to spiritualism and interfaith dialogue continue to be honored in Sri Lanka and beyond.
THE popularity of this little work is proved by the constant demand for new editions, in English and other languages. In looking over the matter for the present edition, I have found very little to change or to add, for the work seems to present a very fair idea of the contents of Southern Buddhism; and, as my object is never to write an extended essay on the subject, I resist the temptation to wander off into amplifications of details which, however interesting to the student of comparative religion, are useless in a rational scheme of elementary instruction.
The new Sinhalese version (38th edition) which is being prepared by my respected friend, D. B. Jayațilaka, Principal of Ananda (Buddhist) College, Colombo, is partly printed, but cannot be completed until he is relieved of some of the pressure upon his time. The Tamil version (41st edition) has been undertaken by the leaders of the Panchama community of Madras, and will shortly issue from the press. The Spanish version (39th edition) is in the hands of my friend, Senor Xifré, and the French one (37th edition) in those of Commandant Courmes.
I am afraid we shall have to wait long for this help to come from the Buddhist bhikkhus, almost the only learned men of Ceylon; at least I have not been able during an intimate intercourse of twenty-two years, to arouse their zeal. It has always seemed to me incongruous that an American, making no claims at all to scholarship, should be looked to by the Sinhalese to help them teach the dharma to their children; and as I believe I have said in an earlier edition, I only consented to write THE BUDDHIST CATECHISM after I had found that no bhikkhu would undertake it. Whatever its demerits, I can at least say that the work contains the essence of some 15,000 pages of Buddhist teaching that I have read in connexion with my work.
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