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116. Q. When our Bōdhisattva became Buddha, what did he see was the cause of human misery? Tell me in one word. A. Ignorance (Avidyā).

— Henry Steel Olcott The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

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More quotes by Henry Steel Olcott

The history of Sākya Muni's life is the strongest bulwark of his religion. As long as the human heart is capable of being touched by tales of heroic self-sacrifice, accompanied by purity and celestial benevolence of motive, it will cherish his memory.

The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

What he taught may be summed up in a few words, as the perfume of many roses may be distilled into a few drops of attar: Everything in the world of Matter is unreal; the only reality is in the world of Spirit.

The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

123. Q. Do these differ with each individual? A. Yes: but all men suffer from them in degree.

The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

12. Q. Was Buddha his name? A. No. It is the name of a condition or state of mind, of the mind after it has reached the culmination of development.

The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

120. Q. What is the light that can dispel this ignorance of ours and remove all sorrows? A. The knowledge of the "Four Noble Truths," as the Buddha called them.

The Buddhist Catechism (1903)

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Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Henry Steel Olcott (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.