SASNET Brown Bag Lunch Seminar: Johan Nilsson, "Buddhism in Early Swedish Theosophy"

This seminar will be held by Johan Nilsson. He is a postdoc in the history of religions at the Centre for Theology and Religious Study, Lund University. During this lunch seminar, Nilsson will speak about "Buddhism in Early Swedish Theosophy". 

About the seminar

The Theosophical Society is broadly recognized as one of the most culturally influential esoteric movements during the late 19th and early 20th century. Beyond its impact on art and literature the international Theosophical movement played a significant role in connection with the popularization of Asian (primarily South Asian) religions in Europe and America. Members of the society translated texts and disseminated ideas related to these religions during a period when a global interest in Hinduism and Buddhism was beginning to develop.

Until recently, however, little has been known about the activities of the Theosophical movement in local and national contexts. The lecture will primarily focus on the first decades of the Theosophy in Sweden (c 1889–1918) and will provide an overview of the interest in Buddhism that emerged within that movement.

What was Swedish Theosophy? Why were Theosophists interested in Buddhism and what consequences did this interest have for the ways in which Buddhism has been understood in Sweden?" 

Read more about his research here: Johan Nilsson — Lund University