The Buddhist Catechism

By Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832 - 1907).

116 Pages | First edition 1881, 3rd edition, 7th reprint 2007 | Hardcover | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar. | ISBN: 8170590272.

Dutch translation: De Boeddhistische Catechismus | Published in 2003 | Hardcover, incl. bibliography, word list and reading ribbon | Uitgeverij der Theosofische Vereniging in Nederland | ISBN: 9061750814.

The Buddhist Catechism is an invaluable textbook for those wishing to familiarize themselves with the basic principles of Buddhism. Since it first edition in 1881 it has been published in more than twenty languages, mainly by Buddhists for Buddhists, and was widely used in the Buddhist educational movement which used in the Buddhist educational movement, which Colonel Henry Steel Olcott established in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

The book is constructed in an easy to follow question-answer form, together with an appendix, which outlines the fourteen fundamental Buddhistic tenets. These fourteen items were accepted as fundamental in both the Southern and Northern sections of Buddhism, by authoritative committees to whom they were submitted by the author personally.

From its Preface:

" The unpretending aim in view is to give to succinct and yet comprehensive a digest of Buddhistic history, ethics and philosophy as to enable beginners to understand and appreciate the noble ideal taught by the Buddha, and thus make it easier for them to follow out the Dharma in its details. "