Theos-Talk Archives (March 2001 Message tt00161)

Friday, March 30, 2001

Dear Friends:

My friend Daniel Caldwell is of course quite correct as to the
facts he offers.
I do not intend to go into further controversy (for we do have
differences of opinion, which for the moment seem irresolvable)
or review further the ground already covered; however, for the
sake of clarity, let me say:

If there is any difference of opinion between us it is not on the
interpreting of the nature of Theosophical facts, truths and
ideals. Regardless of the words used, (as I see it) those have
to be sought for by each student for himself. This leads to some
fogginess, as "exact words" may be given only relative value in
discussions. Ideas count, and those need goodwill on all sides.

Theosophy Company editions

It is perfectly true that if one starts with the ORIGINALS ones'
work is made easy. As I understand it, this kind of clarity was
the objective of Theosophy Company when it began its publishing
program with magazine THEOSOPHY (1912), and then issued reprints
of the text books of original Theosophy. Most of the articles of
H.P.B. and Judge and other students had gone out of print.
Verbatim reprints of these were then issued in the magazine
THEOSOPHY
The objective was based on the concept that if such originals
were made currently available, students would have a reliable
base from which to proceed to learn about Theosophy. It was
thought advisable to put them in direct contact with the PRIMARY
SOURCES of Theosophical doctrine and thought. Thus, the
"filters" of interposing Editors and opinions, would be
minimized. Theosophy company restricted its Editorial comments
with a view to letting the reader decide on the value of H.P.B.'s
original texts.
Accordingly, the major works of H.P.B. ( ISIS UNVEILED and THE
SECRET DOCTRINE, the KEY TO THEOSOPHY, THE THEOSOPHICAL
GLOSSARY, A MODERN PANARION, FIVE YEARS OF THEOSOPHY, etc...)
were reprinted photographically from the original 1st Editions of
those books..
THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE when reprinted followed the edition Mr.
Judge had produced in New York when first issued there. He made
certain changes in style but altered nothing major in content. A
few obvious errors were corrected in this first New York Edition
All these changes have been identified and examined with the
originals.
Additionally most of the major articles of H.P.B. and W. Q. Judge
have been drawn together and reprinted verbatim from original
sources. They have been placed in a series of inexpensive
volumes for the ready access of students.
Here are some additional comments:



3rd. Volume of the SECRET DOCTRINE (1897) [ Ed. Annie Besant ]

In regard to the ORIGINAL articles of H.P.B. that form the basis
for Vol. 3 (1897) of the Secret doctrine [ Editor: Annie
Besant ] we do not have (as far as I know) any original MSS of
those for comparison. Some of the material in Vol. 3 was
published posthumously in LUCIFER magazine.



A MODERN PANARION --H. P. B. (Photographic reprint of 1st
Edition -- Theosophy Co.)

The book A MODERN PANARION, 1st Edition, consists of early
writings by H.P.B. As published the book (unfortunately) does
not follow the word to word published version of the ORIGINAL
ARTICLES in a totally verbatim manner. That is quite true, and
has been commented on many times, but inasmuch as A MODERN
PANARION is often referred to, it was thought advisable to
reprint it photographically as originally issued. As the book
went Out-of-Print from other sources, Theosophy Company thought
it right to do that, without any further editing, or any
correcting of such changes or errors as might be innate to that
original edition. H. P.B. does not seem to have complained about
the rendering (editing) to be found in that book of her early
writings. H.P.B. did complain about having to buy back her own
writings (because of copy-right) when needed, for reference, or
to be sent to a needy student.



VOICE OF THE SILENCE H.P.B. 1st American Edition, New York
Ed. W. Q. Judge ]

The VOICE OF THE SILENCE issued by Theosophy Company is a
verbatim reprint of the first American edition issued in New York
by Mr. Judge. That first New York edition is not a totally
verbatim or photographic copy of the 1st or 2nd English Editions
issued by the TPH, London of the book. Mr. Judge in editing it
apparently tried to make it easier for use by students, by moving
the footnotes (verbatim) from the back of the book to the pages
where they were needed. It therefore does not copy verbatim the
original layout or format rendering as first published in England
by H.P.B. But all essentials are there, even if not in the same
format H.P.B. had used. A very few corrections of spelling or
facts were also introduced by him in making this reprint. These
have already been noted.



THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY H.P.B. / and Ed. G. R. S. Mead
(Posthumous)

The THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY was issued after H.P.B.'s death (Edited
by G. R. S. Mead). In his Preface, Mr, Mead outlined its sources
and the possible effect of his editing. Most if not all of the
references and explanations can be traced to actual statements
made in THE SECRET DOCTRINE, ISIS UNVEILED, the KEY TO THEOSOPHY
(2nd Edition -- added -- "Glossary") the VOICE OF THE SILENCE
(footnotes), and H.P.B.'s Articles.
Admittedly, it may not be completely H.P.B.'s.
But, for years, there has always been a need for as complete a
Glossary of the many terms H.P.B. used in her writings, the
Theosophy Company decided to reprint photographically this book
when other sources went Out-of-Print.
It is this student's opinion that Mr. De Zirkoff did not
completely check out each entry with comparable explanations made
and to be found in H.P.B.'s writings. His comments might perhaps
have been altered. It is also seems clear that there is
supplementary information placed by her in this book, which is
not to be found in the others. But this is an opinion of course.

In my opinion, and in spite of any differences of opinion, the
value of any theosophical statement is to be based on its
coherence and confluence with all other statements made on that
subject by Theosophy. In the Secret Doctrine, H.P.B. makes a
number of statements concerning the doctrines offered. She
states "...the Secret Doctrine teaches history..." [ S.D. I 267 ]
It is a "history" that should be viewed not only in detail, but,
as a whole. Much is to be read "between the lines and within the
words."

In my esteem all these editions and books have value for the
discriminating student who desires to avail himself of true
copies of original sources which are available.
I am not sure if this statement will prove to be a further
inconsistency or not, hopefully it makes clear the basis which I
see was used by Theosophy Company, as well as the basis for my
own use and study of Theosophical resources..


Best wishes,

Dallas

==================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Blavatsky Archives [mailto:info@blavatskyarchives.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 5:21 PM
To: Theosophy Study List
Subject: Volume III of the Secret Doctrine, etc.


Dallas makes several points about Volume
III of the SD but there are also other points that
could be made about the volume being authentic
HPB. For those interested see my online article
at:

http://blavatskyarchives.com/sdiiipt1.htm

Dallas also advises students not to use
"EDITED editions of her [HPB] books and articles."

Unfortunately, Dallas has repeatedly quoted from
and referred to the Theosophy Company's editions
of THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE and MODERN PANARION.
Both of these titles have been EDITED by others
after HPB's death and contain deletions, additions
and alterations. You would think Dallas would be
wary of these two editions. Also Dallas quotes
from and uses THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY which
was EDITED and published by G.R.S. Mead AFTER
H.P.B.'s death. Many students of Blavatsky
including Boris de Zirkoff are wary of this GLOSSARY.

I think Dallas is very inconsistent in his attitude
towards and use of these three books.

Daniel


-- Original Message --

>Dear Friends:
>There has been some controversy in the past as to the accuracy
of
>the teachings given in the THIRD VOLUME of the S.D. (1897) Some
>say it is authentic H.P.B., others doubt that it was left
>entirely un-edited in exactly her own words.
...................................
>Inasmuch as we do not have her MSS to check the printed version
>by, we can only say that any inaccuracies that "editors" may
have
>inserted, can only be detected if one has a thorough knowledge
of
>the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS (as obtained without alteration from
PRIME
>SOURCES.)
>The only problem with Vol. III of the S.D. is that it was
>published (1897) but NOT EDITED by H.P.B. several years after
>her death (1891).
..........................................
>So, I would say: Be wary. If you know what H.P.B. taught
>through a thorough study of the ORIGINAL MESSAGE of THEOSOPHY
>(not EDITED editions of her books and articles) you may well be
>able to detect the variants.


---------------------------------------
Daniel H. Caldwell
info@blavatskyarchives.com
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