Theos-Talk Archives (April 2000 Message tt00002)

Dallas just wrote on BN basic:

> If accuracy is desired the best way to secure this
> is to go
> direct to the ORIGINAL (un-edited) text of HPB's
> books and
> articles.
> 
> The BOOKSHOP at BLAVATSKY.NET can provide the
> original texts
> reproduced by photographic processes, so there is no
> editing or
> interpolation of opinions.  The student is placed
> directly in
> relation with HPB and her writings. . . . 
> 
> After HPB died several of her students, in time,
> claimed to be
> able to "correct" her writings, and proceeded to do
> this.  Also,
> most of her writings went "out of print" in several
> societies, or
> were amended and edited without any notes to advise
> readers of
> the changes made. . . . 
> 
> It is better if one makes up one's own mind as to
> the value of
> HPB's writings in their original form as compared
> with edited
> versions.


Daniel replies:

Dallas, I agree with your observations above.
Unfortunately, both you and the Bookshop at BN
promote an edition of THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE and
also MODERN PANARION which have both been edited
and therefore contain hundreds of changes.  I have
pointed this out to you before and even given you
dozens of examples of these changes.  Many of these
changes are totally unnecessary and unneeded.  In
other words, inquirers and students who use these two
editions are NOT obtaining "HPB's writings in their
original form." 

Dallas, when you specifically write:  "After HPB died
several of her students, in time,claimed to be able to
'correct' her writings, and proceeded to do this. 
Also, most of her writings . . . were amended and
edited without any notes to advise readers of
the changes made. . . .", you are PERFECTLY describing
the two editions I mention above.

These two works violate the standards that you
yourself enunciate above.  Please explain to all of us
why you promote the two "edited" versions of HPB's
works mentioned above while at the same time
recommending others to read and study the "ORIGINAL
(un-edited) text of HPB's books and articles"?  

What you personally and privately use in your own
studies of HPB is your business, but when you write in
a public forum what you have written above, I think
inquirers and other students should know the true
state of affairs.  Hoping that you will state your
position on this important issue which you have
brought up again.  Also hoping that you might start
using and citing from the original editions of the
material that is under discuss here in this email.  

A photographic facsimile of HPB's 1889 edition of the
VOICE OF THE SILENCE is available from Kessinger
Publishing.  I'm hoping that the BN bookstore might
start selling this edition instead of the edition that
has hundreds of unacknowledged changes.

Daniel



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