THE MADRAS WEEKLY MAIL

Tamil, Nadu, India

2 July 1903

(page 20)

A SCOTCH BUDDHIST PRIEST.

INTERVIEWED AT RANGOON.

A correspondent sends the Rangoon Times an interesting statement to the effect that he has interviewed the renowed [sic] Bhiksha Ananda Maitriga, otherwise Allan Bennett Mac-Gregor [Allan Bennett] of Dumbarton, at his Choung in the Daban village at the back of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon. During the interview he produced some of his writings on Buddhism, which though antagonistic to Christianity are richly deserving of perusal more especially his “Umpasampatta Ordination” and his prospectus of his society “The Buddhasasara Samagama.” His work on the “Culture of Mind” is a masterpiece. Though born a Scotsman he has readily taken to the secluded life of a Buddhist Priest.

His conversation with our contemporary’s correspondent amounted to the fact that he, in his dreary life was pleased with his lot. He is, without a doubt, a decided improvement on his predecessor W. Damaloka, for the simple reason that he is more intellectual and has bright ideas of the religion he professes. He is a man of culture as his works go to prove and his organization scheme of the “Buddhasasara Samagama” should certainly prove a success. His private life he certainly does not hide from public view as he has not as yet accustomed himself to the Burmese mode of living though he eventually intends doing so. He smoked with our correspondent three or four cigarettes and was most affable in every particular. His main idea, though far fetched, in a new atmosphere, is to bring the West to a state of Buddhism. A perusal of the prospectus of the society of which he is the promoter and organizer will go to prove his genuineness and sincerity. We are pleased to see, says the Rangoon paper, that some of our leading citizens are attached as Honorary members to the Executive Council of the Society of which he is the promoter.