Ernest Erle Power (20th-century Buddhist scholar)
A Gift of Wisdom: Ernest Erle Power’s Buddhist Tribute to Israel Querido
In May 1932, in the hills of
Tjibinong near Buitenzorg (modern-day Bogor, Indonesia), a quiet gesture of
intellectual camaraderie was made. On the flyleaf of a 1928 edition of The Path
of the Elders: A Modern Exposition of Ancient Buddhism, author Ernest Erle
Power penned a dedication:
To Is. Querido, with kind regards from the
author
Tjibinong Buitenzorg
Java
May 1932
This inscription, though brief, links two
remarkable figures one a pioneer of Theravāda Buddhism in Southeast Asia, the
other a literary voice of Dutch naturalism.
The Author: Ernest Erle Power and the Rise
of Buddhism in Colonial Indonesia
Ernest Erle Power was a key figure in the
early institutionalization of Buddhism in colonial Indonesia. In 1932, the same
year as this dedication, he founded the Java Buddhist Association in Jakarta
and served as its president. His work aimed to bridge Eastern spiritual
traditions with Western intellectual curiosity.
The Path of the Elders, first published in
1928, was Power’s seminal contribution to Buddhist literature. Written in
English and structured as a series of essays, it introduced Western readers to
the core tenets of Theravāda Buddhism including the Noble Eightfold Path,
Karma, Nirvana, and the concept of individual spiritual exertion. The book
stood apart from Mahāyāna interpretations, offering a clear and accessible
exposition of ancient teachings.
The Setting: Buitenzorg’s Colonial Calm
At the time of the dedication, Buitenzorg
was a serene retreat for Dutch colonial elites. Located just south of Batavia
(now Jakarta), it was known for its botanical gardens and cooler climate.
Power’s choice to inscribe the book from Tjibinong, a nearby village, suggests
a moment of reflection and perhaps a personal meeting or correspondence with
the recipient.
The Recipient: Israel Querido, Literary
Titan and Spiritual Collector
The name “Is. Querido” likely refers to
Israel Querido (1872–1932), a Dutch novelist, critic, and essayist known for
his naturalistic portrayals of Amsterdam’s working class. Querido was also a
passionate bibliophile, with a library rich in theological and spiritual texts.
Tragically, the dedication was made just
three months before Querido’s death in August 1932 at age 59. His book
collection was auctioned in December of that year by the international
bookseller Menno Hertzberger, yet The Path of the Elders was notably absent
from the catalog suggesting it may have remained in private hands or held
personal significance.
A Book Beyond the Auction Block
This volume, marked by Power’s handwritten
note, is more than a relic it’s a symbol of cross-cultural dialogue, spiritual
inquiry, and mutual respect between two intellectuals from vastly different
worlds. It captures a fleeting moment in history when Buddhism, literature, and
colonial life intersected in Java’s quiet hills.
Text Sources
Historical and bibliographic details are supported by several authoritative sources:
Ernest Erle Power’s book and Buddhist work: The Path of the Elders: A Modern Exposition of Ancient Buddhism is available in reprint editions, including Amazon Netherlands and Donner Books. These confirm Power’s authorship and the book’s focus on Theravāda Buddhism.
Power’s role in colonial Indonesia: He is listed as Chairman of the Java Buddhist Association in bibliographic records, aligning with the essay’s account of his leadership and spiritual outreach in 1932.
Israel Querido’s biography and death: Querido’s literary career and death in August 1932 are documented in Dutch literary encyclopedias and auction records from Menno Hertzberger’s December 1932 catalog, which notably omits The Path of the Elders—suggesting its retention or private transfer.
Image Sources
Wikipedia
