Huston Smith was born on May 31, 1919, in the United States. He came from a Methodist missionary family and spent his early years in China. Growing up, his first language was Mandarin Chinese, which would later influence his studies and work in the field of religion and philosophy.
Smith attended the University of Chicago, where he pursued a PhD in Philosophy and graduated in 1945. It was during his time at the university that he began to delve deeper into the world of religion and develop a passion for understanding different faiths and belief systems.
Throughout his career, Smith held teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, and UC Berkeley. He was known for his expertise in religious studies and authored a total of 13 books on religion and philosophy. One of his most popular works, "World's Religions," is considered a classic introduction to comparative religion and has sold millions of copies worldwide.
One of the key influences on Smith's work was Aldous Huxley, a prominent writer and thinker known for his explorations of consciousness and spirituality. Smith drew inspiration from Huxley's ideas and incorporated them into his own research and writing on religious traditions.
Despite his scholarly pursuits, Smith was not immune to the cultural movements of his time. He participated in Timothy Leary's psychedelic experiments, exploring altered states of consciousness and the potential for spiritual experiences through mind-altering substances.
In summary, Huston Smith was a trailblazing scholar in the field of religious studies, who dedicated his life to exploring the diverse and complex world of faith and belief systems. His work continues to inspire and educate readers around the world, leaving a lasting legacy in the academic study of religion.