theos-talk.com

[MASTER INDEX] [DATE INDEX] [THREAD INDEX] [SUBJECT INDEX] [AUTHOR INDEX]

[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next]

Re: Theos-World Theosophy, Aryans, and Racism

May 20, 2000 02:45 PM
by Frank Reitemeyer


>     H. P. B. certainly knew about this when she named the 5th Root Race
the
> "Aryans". Perhaps she wanted to change the term to include the whole
current
> human race, showing the same perverse sense of humor as when she named her
> magazine, "Lucifer". Or perhaps (although I find this last almost
impossible to

There is some intuition in it as H.P.B. often used terms which where misused
by others to show the origin meaning of the term, for example the word
"reincarnation" which was used in the 1870's by French occultists like Allan
Kardec in a spiritistic way.
Of course HPB has foreseen the great wars of the 20th Century, as she
sometimes spoke of it (like her successors). One can assume that she then
also was aware of the misuse of the terms "Aryan" and "race" in the Third
Reich.
William Quan Judge, her co-worker, would support the back-to-the-roots-terms
model. He writes:

"In dealing with these doctrines, one is compelled now and then to greatly
extend the scope and meaning of many English words.
The word 'race' is one of these. In the Theosophical scheme, as given out by
the sages of the East, seven great races are spoken of.
Each one of these includes all the different so-called races of our modern
ethnology.
Hence the necessity for having seven great root-races, sub-races, family
races, and countless offshoot races."

- William Quan Judge: Echoes of the Orient, Point Loma Pubc. 1987,Vol. III:
18.

Frank




-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.


[Back to Top]


Theosophy World: Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application