Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00118)

Dear Dallas

There is basically no disagreement with what you are saying.
You make an assumption " . . .  and she states that she was
>taught there by the Masters in Their School. And that is not
>necessarily "Tibetan Buddhism" but may be assumed to include it."
The SD uses expressions like "trans-Himalayan "Arhat Esoteric School.""  In
relation to this "School" why should we single out a religion, in this case
Tibetan Buddhism?  You agree with this by what you write.
She also studied the Quabbalah for many years.  But which one?  Also which
Tibetan Buddhism did she study if she did?

Do we know, in fact, much of her actual training by the Masters?
Her training may have in part been along the lines as described in
"Practical Occultism" and "Occultism versus the Occult Arts."  Two
remarkable essays, as you will know.

The discussions that have been going on around Tibetan Buddhism,
"kama-mudra" and tantrikaism, etc., on this list, do not seem to have much
to do with the Mahatmas and their training of HPB.   HPB mentions the
"Egyptian Book of the Dead" for example, which may have had something to do
with her training in Tibet (this is not saying that it did), but she never
mentions "The Tibetan Book of the Dead," which has its following to-day.
Also, books are mentioned in the on-going discussions, followed by, with a
something or other by the Dalai Lama.  That is all very well, but what of
the TDA-SHI (various spellings) lama, the SPRITUAL leader of Tibet?  The
Dalai Lama is often now seen as the spiritual leader of Tibet, and
amazingly, the Tdashi as the outer.

It is only necessary to tilt the five pointed star a little bit, so that the
2 points point heavenward, the higher manas thus becoming swamped by the lower.

And as someone reminded me the other day.  If you roll a ball down the
stairs, if it is a tiny bit out of true when it starts rolling, by the time
it reaches the bottom it will have veered off to one or other side of the
stairs.

Tony


>Dec 7th 1998
>
>Dear Tony:
>
>There is historical evidence - letters and Government reports
>that HPB visited and was in Tibet and she states that she was
>taught there by the Masters in Their School.  And that is not
>necessarily "Tibetan Buddhism" but may be assumed to include it.
>
>Historically there is evidence for a secret, an esoteric
>"school," at the root of every popular exoteric "religion."
> see ISIS, Vol. 2, pp 97-103 ]  The 2nd Vol. of ISIS gives
>evidence that she was familiar with all the great religions of
>her day as well as their sources, heresies, descendents and
>ramification.
>
>If you have read ISIS UNVEILED, the MAHATMA LETTERS, and the
>pages of THEOSOPHIST (Vols. 1-10) and also LUCIFER, (Vols. 1-10),
>the SECRET DOCTRINE and THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE you will find
>the data you ask about.  I agree it is scattered.  Some of it is
>collected and summarized already in the pages of the current
>periodical quarterly THEOSOPHICAL HISTORY, and elsewhere you will
>find some details in the historical book that gives a review
>(using original documents) of our modern Theosophical Movement.
>It is named:  THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT 1875-1950  ( $ 6.00 -
>Theosophy Company, Los Angeles )
>
>I don't know what you mean by "proof" but the testimony of her
>contemporaries, and her own writings give adequate evidence in my
>esteem of the education and opportunities that she earned of
>studying and living with the Mahatmas.  Ask Daniel Caldwell about
>the evidence he has gathered.
>
>Also I do not see that it matters whether she studied "Tibetan
>Buddhism" or not - the PHILOSOPHY OF THEOSOPHY stands on its own
>merits by the nature of its tenets, and, its command over every
>one of the many religions and philosophies considered.  It claims
>to be the primitive and ancient source of religions, philosophies
>and sciences, so none are omitted from its purview.  The
>information made in those books and articles is an advantage that
>we have earned by our incarnation at this time.  It was not
>available in the past.  HPB is responsible for this work.  She
>was, she claimed, only the "Messenger" of the Masters of Wisdom.
>Who among us is to challenge that without adequate study of all
>that is already available - and which few of us have been
>privileged (or had the opportunity) of studying in detail.
>
>I find much of this discussion about "kama-mudra" and tantrikaism
>utterly inconsequential to the real import of Theosophical facts
>and verities, I mean those that are suitable for us to use in our
>own lives, and which will have eternal importance - not just the
>excitement of a few hours, minutes or weeks.  Of course I am only
>speaking for myself in this, and may be challenged, as usual.
>
>I can make one statement and that in my esteem, Theosophy does
>not regard phallicism and sexuality as being of any importance to
>the progress of the immortal human Soul (MANAS--Mind) - and, the
>immortal Ego (ATMA-BUDDHI-MANAS :  SPIRIT-WISDOM-MIND ) that lies
>at the core of every one of us.  Sex is of this body and this
>incarnation, and has nothing to do with our work and progress as
>pupils in the great School of Life of which each incarnation is
>as a day.  The evidence that I see of this current widely
>diffused interest in sexuality and promiscuity is one which has
>been slapped on to many of the current religious philosophies and
>attracts the minds and interest of a certain kind of nature -
>which is not basically interested in philosophy, but in such
>kinds of excitement and sensation.  Theosophy, as I read and
>study it, has nothing to do with that.  If anything, you will
>find that HPB decries any such manifestation in either history,
>or currently as she wrote.
>
>This is my opinion and while in may be unpopular is some areas
>and to some people, I do not see any reason to change it.  Why
>should students of THEOSOPHY concern themselves with that ?  What
>a waste of time and energy !
>
>Dallas