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Olcott championed the cause of Buddhism

Olcott Charithaya

Author: Jayantha Wijewickrama
Reviewed by Arjuna Kurukulasuriya

Once I was travelling in an intercity bus where I happened to be the only passenger. The driver being in a relaxed and jovial mood, seeing the statue standing in front of the Fort railway station, turned to the conductor and asked whose statue it was. Neither of them knew the answer. I intervened and said it is that of Olcott's. At least they knew who Olcott was. This is an indication that the memory of the great hero is gradually diminishing. Our memory of the hero is kept alive by several statues and places named after him. Therefore, writing a biography of the late Colonel Henry Steel Olcott is a timely endeavour by Jayantha Wijewickrama.

Though most of us knew that Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was instrumental in opening several Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka, little is known about him, except for a few stories. He had come to Sri Lanka after seeing a copy of the famous inter-religious debate at Panadura (Panadura Wadaya).

Some time ago when I was browsing the Internet to ascertain information on Madam Helena Blavatsky the name of Colonel Olcott came up as her spiritual partner. The websites give prominence to Mrs. Blavatsky as a great mystic who is said to have written several books by telepathic communication with “masters” and with highly developed yogis. In fact Blavatsky, Colonel Olcott and W.Q. Judge were the three main founders of a spiritual movement called the Theosophical Society whose primary objectives were to form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without the distinction of creed, sex, caste or colour, to encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science and to investigate the unexplained laws of nature and powers latent in man.

Mystics

Many mystics such as Annie Besant, Leadbeater, A.P. Sinnet, Jinarajadasa and Jiddu Krishnamurthi gathered around this movement in the late 19th century or have been discovered and promoted by them. The movement developed into almost a new religious order called New Age churches which still function under different names.

The recently published biography of Colonel Olcott by Jayantha Wijewickrama portrays him as an exceptionally talented man who hailed from a family with a heroic background. Colonel Olcott is said to have started his life as an agricultural expert. Within a very short period his fame spread to such an extent that he was appointed as the head of the agricultural faculty of the University of Athens. However, he refused the offer. He wrote several successful books on agriculture which brought him fame.

According to the biography he had undergone a spiritual transformation, which is a common occurrence for mystics.

Battlefront

He was compelled to take up arms during the American Civil War and while being in the battle front he suffered from fever. He was brought back to New York. When he tried to return to the battle front on his recovery, the authorities prevented him from doing so and appointed him as an inquiring officer to look into the malpractices in the war office.

Despite threats and obstacles he successfully completed his task earning him the rank of a Colonel. He was then appointed the special commissioner of the Navy where he eradicated corruption and waste. Thereafter, he practised as a lawyer for some time. Olcott and Blavatsky became spiritual partners and formed the Theosophical Society in 1875.

They came across a copy of the now famous Panadura Wadaya and decided to go to Sri Lanka. After arriving in Sri Lanka Colonel Olcott and Blavatsky observed the five precepts and became Buddhists.

British colony

At the time they arrived Sri Lanka was a British colony. Anyone who opposed the imperialists were exiled, massacred or won over with titles and wealth. After the initial triumph at Panadura Wadaya Buddhists were yearning for leadership. At this critical juncture Colonel Olcott arrived in the island to give leadership to them.

The imperialists did not dare to harass Olcott. Not only did he become the father of Buddhist education but made representations before Colonial Secretary to canvass the rights of Buddhists. He performed spiritual healing for a short period. The book amply portrays the enthusiastic reaction of Buddhists, wherever he travelled in Sri Lanka and the love they had for him. The book expresses how Colonel Olcott rekindled the morale of the natives.

Courage

Though we try to identify him as a local hero Olcott was instrumental in opening schools for untouchables in South India and he revived their education. He went to Japan as a Buddhist missionary with the then young Dharmapala and had remarkably travelled around the world spreading theosophical ideas in England, France and Germany. In fact in an era where communications and travelling were relatively primitive Colonel Olcott was a global traveller and a star in certain circles. The book portrays him as a man who was tireless, brave, humane and courageous.

While championing the cause of Buddhism, Olcott was inspired by universalism. The Theosophical Movement is credited not only with Buddhist modernism but also with Hindu reformists movements.

The author has been a life-long admirer of Col. Olcott. He had closely associated Dr. E.W. Adikaram during his life-time and met Jiddu Krishnamurti when he visited Sri Lanka.

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