Foundations of Buddhism

by Helena Roerich

The Great Gotama gave to the world a complete Teaching of the perfect construction of life. Each attempt to make a god of the great revolutionist, leads to absurdity.
Previous to Gotama there was, of course, a whole succession of those who bore the common welfare, but their teachings crumbled to dust in the course of millenniums. Therefore the Teaching of Gotama should be accepted as the first teaching of the laws of matter and the evolution of the world.
Contemporary understanding of the community permits a wondrous bridge from Gotama Buddha up to the present time. We pronounce this formula neither for extolling nor for demeaning, but as an evident and immutable fact.
The law of fearlessness, the law of the renunciation of property, the law of the evaluation of labor, the law of the dignity of human personality, beyond castes and outer distinctions, the law of true knowledge, the law of love based upon self-knowledge, make of the covenants of the Teachers a continuous rainbow of the joy of humanity.
Let us construct the foundations of Buddhism in its manifested covenants. The simple Teaching, equal in beauty to the Cosmos, will dispel every suggestion of idolatry, unworthy of the great Teacher of men.
Knowledge was the leading path of all great Teachers. Knowledge will permit a free and vital approach to the great Teaching, as vitally real as is great Matter itself.
We shall not introduce the latest complexities; we shall speak briefly about those foundations that cannot be denied.
Joy to all peoples! Joy to all those who labor!

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2017

About the author

Helena Ivanovna Roerich (born Shaposhnikova) (Russian: Елéна Ивáновна Рéрих; February 12, 1879 – October 5, 1955) was a Russian philosopher,[2] writer, and public figure. In the early 20th century, she created, in cooperation with the Teachers of the East, a philosophic teaching of Living Ethics («Agni Yoga»).[3] She was an organizer and participant of cultural and enlightened creativity in the U.S., conducted under the guidance of her husband, Nicholas Roerich. Along with her husband, she took part in expeditions of hard-to-reach and little-investigated regions of Central Asia (1924—1928). She was an Honorary President-Founder of the Institute of Himalayan Studies «Urusvati» in India and co-author of the idea of the International Treaty for Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments (Roerich’s Pact). She translated two volumes of the «Secret Doctrine» of H. P. Blavatsky, and also selected Mahatma’s Letters («Cup of the East»), from English to Russian.

Reviews

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basics For The Western Reader

Buddhist basics for the Western mind. Written in non-theological language, and well explained by Roerich, the principles of Buddhism are made accessible by the curious mind. Little prior knowledge is required to glean a lot of insights from this short, easy read. It covers dharma, karma, Buddhist founding, Hinayana and Mahayana branches and more. A good intro.

[Arijit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

This book give insight of what Shakyamuni's teaching is all about. The book mentions that Buddha teaching is only successful if people apply them and find their path to enlightment. The philosophical aspect is well defined.

[Jim Galford · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a practitioner of zen for some 45 years, I continue to expand my understanding and practices. This is a fairly well-written account of Buddhism and I recommend it to others interested in the belief system.