Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00096)

In a message dated 9/7/99 11:30:47 PM, alpha@dircon.co.uk writes:

<< "Knowing this the blessed one uttered this solemn utterance. "When the real
nature of things becomes clear to the meditating Bikshu, then all his doubts
fade away since he has learned what is that nature and what its cause. From
ignorance spring all the evils. From knowledge comes the cessation of this
mass of misery, and then the meditating Brahmana stands dispelling the hosts
of Mara like the sun that illuminates the sky."
Meditation here means the superhuman (not supernatural) qualities, or
arhatship in its highest of spiritual powers." (End of ML 10)>>

Thanks Tony.  I want to point out to the list that this instruction on 
meditation is purely Buddhist.

The Blessed One = the Buddha Gautama.
Bhiksu is a Sanskrit term for monk, used ONLY by Buddhists (Hindus call such 
persons sadhus, yogis, and the like)
"Cessation" is a translation of the Sanskrit term nirodha, used almost 
exclusively by Buddhists
"Ignorance" translates "avidya", another Sanskrit term used almost exclusely 
by Buddhists.  (Hindua use "maya" and the like.)
"Mara" is the Buddhist demon of temptation.  His name is cognate to Mrtya, 
"death"
"Meditation" translates the Buddhist term bhavana.  (Hindua generally use 
"yoga")
"Arhat" is of course an EXCLUSIVELY Buddhist term, it means literally "He who 
has slain his enemies" namely passions and desires.

The Mahatma Letters ARE SOAKED in technical Buddhist vocabulary on nearly 
every page.  Another piece of evidence that Theosophists should seek out 
qualified Buddhist instruction to complete their Theosophical training.

Rich

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