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. |