Christmas Humphreys

Christmas Humphreys was a renowned Barrister and Buddhist writer and teacher, known for his significant contributions to the spread of Buddhism in the Western world. He was a prominent figure in the Theosophical Society and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Buddhist Society in London. Humphreys' work was heavily influenced by D.T. Suzuki, Rabindranath Tagore, and Aldous Huxley, and he was also associated with notable figures such as T.S. Eliot and E.M. Forster. His writings and teachings drew upon the principles of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism, reflecting his interest in the diverse traditions of Buddhism.

● Early Life and Education

Christmas Humphreys was born in London, England in 1901, and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied Law and was heavily influenced by the ideas of Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore. During his time at Cambridge University, Humphreys developed an interest in Eastern philosophy and Spirituality, which would later become a central focus of his life and work. He was also drawn to the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti and Annie Besant, and was a member of the Theosophical Society in London. Humphreys' early life and education were shaped by his interactions with notable figures such as Rupert Brooke and E.M. Forster, and he was also influenced by the Bloomsbury Group and the Cambridge Apostles.

● Career

As a Barrister, Christmas Humphreys practiced Law at the Inner Temple in London, and was also a member of the Bar Council and the Law Society. However, his true passion lay in the study and teaching of Buddhism, and he became a prominent figure in the Buddhist Society in London. Humphreys was also a prolific writer and published numerous books on Buddhism, including works on Zen Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism. His writings were influenced by the ideas of D.T. Suzuki, Shunryu Suzuki, and Chögyam Trungpa, and he was also associated with notable figures such as Alan Watts and John Cage. Humphreys' career was marked by his interactions with prominent Buddhist teachers, including Sangharakshita and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and he was also influenced by the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the Dalai Lama.

● Buddhist Society and Writings

Christmas Humphreys played a crucial role in the establishment of the Buddhist Society in London, and served as its president for many years. He was also the founder of the Buddhist Society's journal, The Middle Way, which became a leading publication on Buddhism in the Western world. Humphreys' writings on Buddhism were widely read and respected, and he was particularly known for his books on Zen Buddhism, including Zen Buddhism and The Wisdom of Buddhism. His work was influenced by the ideas of Eihei Dogen, Hakuin Ekaku, and Bankei Yotaku, and he was also associated with notable figures such as Shunryu Suzuki and D.T. Suzuki. Humphreys' writings drew upon the principles of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Vajrayana Buddhism, reflecting his interest in the diverse traditions of Buddhism.

● Personal Life and Later Years

Christmas Humphreys was married to Aileen Faulkner, and the couple had two children together. He was known for his simplicity and humility, and lived a modest life in London. In his later years, Humphreys continued to write and teach, and remained a prominent figure in the Buddhist Society until his death in 1983. He was also a close friend and associate of notable figures such as T.S. Eliot and E.M. Forster, and was influenced by the Anglican Church and the Church of England. Humphreys' personal life and later years were marked by his interactions with prominent Buddhist teachers, including Sangharakshita and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and he was also influenced by the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the Dalai Lama.

● Legacy

Christmas Humphreys' legacy is that of a pioneering figure in the spread of Buddhism in the Western world. His writings and teachings introduced many people to the principles of Buddhism, and he played a crucial role in the establishment of the Buddhist Society in London. Humphreys' work continues to be widely read and respected, and he remains an important figure in the history of Buddhism in the Western world. His influence can be seen in the work of notable figures such as Sangharakshita and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and he is also remembered for his interactions with prominent Buddhist teachers, including Shunryu Suzuki and Chögyam Trungpa. Humphreys' legacy is a testament to the power of Buddhism to transform lives and inspire positive change, and his work continues to be an important part of the Buddhist tradition in the Western world.