Hinduism and Buddhism, an Historical Sketch, Vol. 1

by Charles Eliot

Probably the first thought which will occur to the reader who is acquainted with the matters treated in this work will be that the subject is too large. A history of Hinduism or Buddhism or even of both within the frontiers of India may be a profitable though arduous task, but to attempt a historical sketch of the two faiths in their whole duration and extension over Eastern Asia is to choose a scene unsuited to any canvas which can be prepared at the present day. Not only is the breadth of the landscape enormous but in some places it is crowded with details which cannot be omitted while in others the principal features are hidden by a mist which obscures the unity and connection of the whole composition. No one can feel these difficulties more than I do myself or approach his work with more diffidence, yet I venture to think that wide surveys may sometimes be useful and are needed in the present state of oriental studies. For the reality of Indian influence in Asia

Genres: Reference, Buddhism

606 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Sir Charles Eliot 1862-1931

Reviews

[Beauregard Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book written in 1921 still holds up today. When an action or a belief seemed strange, the author would always relate it to an even stranger belief within Christianity.

It's available for free from Amazon for the Kindle. After having downloaded the book, I would open it with my Amazon app on my Iphone and listened to the book read by the Alexa voice. I was able to listen to it on my Iphone or my Alexa depending on which device I preferred at the time. The voice quality was remarkably good for a computer generated voice and since I'm impervious to voice inflection the listen was as good as any audible listen and therefore it saved me the pain of actually having to read instead of listen.

I think this book and the section within Will Durant's Our Oriental Heritage on this topic constitute two of the best reviews I've ever heard on this topic especially the parts on thought. With Durant you get a overt racism and one must hold ones nose from time to time (meat eaters stink, "the average Japanese man today has the sensitivity and shrewdness of the Jew", Hindus are a superstitious people, and so on) but with this book you don't. I have never come across a better Great Course Lecture or book on this topic than what was contained within this book.

[Ardyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very niche text.

It excels in guiding a Westerner slowly slowly slooooowly to grasp something of the nature and context of Hinduism and Buddhism. For example, misconceptions due to nuance of vocabulary in translation are explained carefully and various definitions clarified. Eliot also frequently frames a given belief, practice or art form both in comparison to and in contrast with Western European Christian traditions (the goal being greater accessibility for the Western mind), but does so without the all-too-common judgement of whether one way or the other is more True.

A very interesting and informative book, which I think would help any reader to avoid very common fundamental misrepresentations of Buddhism and yogic principles in books, shops and yoga centers around the Western world -- but it *is* long, and will not suit those who are only mildly curious.

[Esben Bjerregaard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah. Not my cup of tea. It feels pretty dated. It’s basically a look at Hinduism (and budism) though a Christian looking glass. Not recommended. It seems, however, pretty well written although I gave up after reading approx. 25%. A shame because I would really
Like to understand the basics of those religions. For what it’s worth: I went for a Alan Watts podcast instead. Highly recommended

[Roseanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really pleased that I read this book it’s very important to me to have a more broad aspect of religion and The written a long time ago this book had varying promising teachings.