The 1881–1882 Ceylon Buddhist revival séances and occult claims

Record summary

Theosophical and Buddhist revival networks in Ceylon circulated accounts of séances, occult instruction and unusual communications while negotiating the relationship between modern Buddhism and Western esotericism. These reports are useful for examining how trance, mediumship and “Eastern wisdom” were selectively translated for international readers. They should be reconstructed through dated issues of The Theosophist, local newspapers and Buddhist publications. The existence of published claims is secure, but the events, participants and interpretations vary considerably across partisan accounts.