‘Wishing You a Speedy Termination of Existence': Aleister Crowley's Views on Buddhism and Its Relationship with the Doctrine of Thelema

Aleister Crowley was considerably influenced by the doctrines of Theravāda Buddhism, which he studied in his youth, both theoretically and practically. He correlated its principles to the principles of scientific agnosticism and considered that its objectives could also be achieved through the pract...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aries
Main Author: Djurdjevic, Gordan (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill [2019]
In: Aries
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Crowley, Aleister 1875-1947 / Buddhism / thelēma / Thelemites
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
AZ New religious movements
BL Buddhism
Further subjects:B Buddhism
B Crowley
B Thelema
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Description
Summary:Aleister Crowley was considerably influenced by the doctrines of Theravāda Buddhism, which he studied in his youth, both theoretically and practically. He correlated its principles to the principles of scientific agnosticism and considered that its objectives could also be achieved through the practice of ceremonial magic. His eventual acceptance of Thelema's religious philosophy led to his ultimate renunciation of Buddhism as a worldview. This essay examines Crowley's early writings on the subject of Buddhism and suggests that the presence of Buddhist theories remains quite significant in his formulation of the doctrine of Thelema.
ISSN:1570-0593
Contains:Enthalten in: Aries
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15700593-01902001