Henry Steel Olcott

Henry Steel Olcott
Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907) was an American military officer, journalist, and co-founder of the Theosophical Society in 1875 alongside Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. Olcott was deeply involved in spiritualism and Eastern religions, and his work significantly contributed to the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He authored several works, including "The Buddhist Catechism" (1881), which became influential in modern Buddhist education. His efforts in religious reform and interfaith dialogue earned him lasting respect, particularly within Buddhist communities in Asia.

Author's Books:


The thoughtful student, in scanning the religious history of the race, has one fact continually forced upon his notice, viz., that there is an invariable tendency to deify whomsoever shows himself superior to the weakness of our common humanity. Look where we will, we find the saint-like man exalted into a divine personage and worshipped for a god. Though perhaps misunderstood, reviled and even... more...

THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA 1. Question. Of what religion[] are you? Answer. The Buddhist. 2. Q. What is Buddhism? A. It is a body of teachings given out by the great personage known as the Buddha. 3. Q. Is "Buddhism" the best name for this teaching? A. No; that is only a western term: the best name for it is Bauddha Dharma. 4. Q. Would you call a person a Buddhist who had merely been born of Buddha... more...