THE ESSENCE OF BUDDHISM

by E. Haldeman-Julius

I am glad to be permitted thus to say, in a few words of introduction to this well-meditated little volume, how pleasant and how profitable an idea it must be considered to have designed and compiled a Buddhist anthology. Selecting his cut and uncut jewels from very various Buddhistic sources, Mr. Bowden has here supplied those who buy and use the book with rubies and sapphires and emeralds of wisdom, compassion, and human brotherhood, any one of which, worn on the heart, would be sufficient to make the wearer rich beyond estimation for a day.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Audiobook, Self Help

60 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

In 1889, Emanuel Julius, later known as E. Haldeman-Julius, was born in Philadelphia, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. Beginning odd-job work as a young teenager, Emanuel eventually became a newspaper copy boy. An early socialist, he educated himself at party headquarters, reading tracts on freethought, philosophy and economics. In 1906, Emanuel left his home for good, heading for New York City. His self-education continued when a sympathetic librarian at a girls' school in Tarrytown, where he had found work, introduced him to visiting dignitary Mark Twain. Emanuel's first attributed article, "Mark Twain: Radical," was published in a socialist periodical in 1910.

Emanuel worked for a variety of socialist newspapers, including New York Evening Call, Coming Nation, published in Girard, Kansas, the Milwaukee Leader, and the Chicago Evening World. He became editor and briefly acquired the Western Comrade, out of Los Angeles, interviewing Jack London. He met his wife-to-be, Marcet Haldeman, an actress and heiress, in New York City, and followed her home to Girard, Kansas. There he worked for Appeal to Reason, the largest socialist weekly in the country. The pair married in 1916, and legally combined their surnames, at the urging of Marcet's aunt, Jane Addams of Hull House fame. They had two daughters and a son. Haldeman-Julius, with his wife's help, purchased Appeal to Reason and its publishing plant in 1918. By the following year, he had initiated his People's Pocket Series—inexpensive paperbacks later renamed Little Blue Books, to match their appearance. Haldeman-Julius reprinted classics, socialist, radical and freethought literature. Most of the paperbacks contained a bonus page of Emanuel's trademark nonreligious views. Haldeman-Julius also published a variety of periodicals, including American Freeman. By 1925, he launched the Big Blue Books series, publishing such notable authors as Bertrand Russell and Joseph McCabe.

Haldeman-Julius revolutionized the publishing industry, bringing avant-garde authors to the masses. His radical politics, including attacks against President Herbert Hoover, brought him to the attention of the FBI, which he in turn pilloried in print. The businessman further alienated the status quo by publishing Joseph McCabe's allegations of Vatican collaboration with the Axis during World War II. J. Edgar Hoover's 20-year investigation of the publisher resulted in a verdict of tax evasion in 1951. E. Haldeman-Julius appealed the verdict, but was found drowned in his swimming pool later that year. D. 1951.

More: http://www.haldeman-julius.org/

http://www.washburn.edu/reference/cks...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Halde...

http://philosopedia.org/index.php/Ema...

Reviews

[Jessica Zu]

A very important historical document!

[Ashley Jane]

I should have known better - I like to find quotes that I love on my own. I love reading and being struck by something that makes you read it again and again, and underline it and write it down. I love that. I am always the student. So although this had a lot of good quotes, it didn't really do it for me. But that's on me.

My favourite, I think:
"Let us then live happily, though we call nothing our own." - Dhammapada

[J.D. Estrada]

Although there are actually some good lines in this collection, this is more a copy paste of quotes than anything else. You never know when someone reads the line they need to, but does not feel like thought and care went into the selection of lines or their organization.

Literally read texts, highlight lines, copy, paste, publish.

[Charity]

Just a collection of quotes

This is a collection of quotations and passages and inscriptions. They seemed to be presented as secular, but selected with a Western and Christian eye. There are some gems in here though.

[Brennan Donnellan]

This really is the most clear, concise presentation of the precepts of Buddhism that I have read. These concepts can be heady and difficult to understand. This book makes it easier to get started on your journey.

[Mckinley]

Short ebook from a variety of sources from the 3rd century b.b to medieval and later times.

[Rodeweeks]

Very good and insightful. Simply explained and easily understood. Great book for those who want to go right to the heart of Buddhism. There's also some comparison between Buddhism and Christianity as well as Buddhism and Hinduism, for instance the difference between "love your neighbour as yourself" and having universal compassion or between reincarnation and transmigration. There is a few things I disagree with but nothing to stop me from exploring my Buddhist side deeper

[Steve Goble]

A weird little book. A collection of Buddhist sayings, all very brief, and all without much surrounding context save what you get from a brief introduction. Most of the dharma nuggets here are focused on morality. It is sort of like having a Buddhist Thought of the Day calendar. It might be useful to use for picking a saying and then doing focused meditation, if you are into that.

[brian miller]

Not what I was looking for

All this book is, is a bunch of quotes of wisdom.While I read a few good quotes skimming through this book I was thinking this book would be about Buddhism.It should be titled Buddhist quotes or something like that instead.

[Tisaranavamsa]

A great comparative work on Buddhism.

[Lee]

It's free. Good collection of shorts from various Buddhist works.

[Levi Tinney]

A haphazardly organized book of quotes, quite unsuitable for a beginner.

[Laura Ann Tull]

this book is what it claims to be in a collection of quotes. it does help to have an understanding of buddhism to comprehend the connection.

[Heather dennis]

Good for quotes.