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Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1
The first volume of Eliot's engaging and comprehensive introduction to the Eastern faiths of Hinduism and Buddhism is presented here.
Sir Charles Eliot sets out to explain and demystify the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, beliefs and cultures for a Western audience. His explanations - which are clear, readable and accessible - are derived from decades spent living in Asia and the Far East as a diplomat and administrator. Independently researching the religions of these localities was both his past time and an attempt at understanding the deep seated traditions held for thousands of years by the local peoples.
We begin the first volume with a lengthy introduction, whereby Eliot lays out his intentions for his ambitious work. Following this, Eliot examines the earliest manifestations of faith in ancient India and Eastern Asia. The Vedic belief system in particular holds interest, while the traditions of meditation and asceticism are also examined.
The book is logically divided into topical chapters, each of which concern specific subjects or figures significant to the Hindu or Buddhist religion, or both. Different types of faith lead Eliot to draw distinctions; the specific between Pali Buddhism for example occupy a great portion of this first volume.
Although the title alludes only to Hinduism and Buddhism, Eliot also makes extensive allusion to Jainism and Islam. He is keen to note the fact that the spread and contest over influence of peoples to a large extent intertwine the histories of all the religions of the East.
Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch manages to explain and introduce two of the world's major religions in a digestible, intriguing manner. Charles Eliot's writing style rarely strays to dryness, and each chapter remains close to its stated subject. There are few examples of religious studies as embracing and well-researched as Sir Charles Eliot's, immersed as he was in the cultures of the East.
Sir Charles Eliot sets out to explain and demystify the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, beliefs and cultures for a Western audience. His explanations - which are clear, readable and accessible - are derived from decades spent living in Asia and the Far East as a diplomat and administrator. Independently researching the religions of these localities was both his past time and an attempt at understanding the deep seated traditions held for thousands of years by the local peoples.
We begin the first volume with a lengthy introduction, whereby Eliot lays out his intentions for his ambitious work. Following this, Eliot examines the earliest manifestations of faith in ancient India and Eastern Asia. The Vedic belief system in particular holds interest, while the traditions of meditation and asceticism are also examined.
The book is logically divided into topical chapters, each of which concern specific subjects or figures significant to the Hindu or Buddhist religion, or both. Different types of faith lead Eliot to draw distinctions; the specific between Pali Buddhism for example occupy a great portion of this first volume.
Although the title alludes only to Hinduism and Buddhism, Eliot also makes extensive allusion to Jainism and Islam. He is keen to note the fact that the spread and contest over influence of peoples to a large extent intertwine the histories of all the religions of the East.
Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch manages to explain and introduce two of the world's major religions in a digestible, intriguing manner. Charles Eliot's writing style rarely strays to dryness, and each chapter remains close to its stated subject. There are few examples of religious studies as embracing and well-researched as Sir Charles Eliot's, immersed as he was in the cultures of the East.
184 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2009
108 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Charles Eliot
41 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Sir Charles Eliot 1862-1931
Sir Charles Eliot 1862-1931
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 5, 2017
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.
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.
February 23, 2021
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.
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.
May 12, 2019
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
Like to understand the basics of those religions. For what it’s worth: I went for a Alan Watts podcast instead. Highly recommended
February 5, 2021
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.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews