Theos-Talk Archives (August 2001 Message tt00033)

ENQ. Which system do you prefer or follow, in that case, besides Buddhistic 
ethics? 

THEO. None, and all. We hold to no religion, as to no philosophy in 
particular: we cull the good we find in each. But here, again, it must be 
stated that, like all other ancient systems, Theosophy is divided into 
Exoteric and Esoteric Sections. 

ENQ. What is the difference? 

THEO. The members of the Theosophical Society at large are free to profess 
whatever religion or philosophy they like, or none if they so prefer, 
provided they are in sympathy with, and ready to carry out one or more of the 
three objects of the Association. The Society is a philanthropic and 
scientific body for the propagation of the idea of brotherhood on practical 
instead of theoretical lines. The Fellows may be Christians or Mussulmen, 
Jews or Parsees, Buddhists or Brahmins, Spiritualists or Materialists, it 
does not matter; but every member must be either a philanthropist, or a 
scholar, a searcher into Aryan and other old literature, or a psychic 
student. In short, he has to help, if he can, in the carrying out of at least 
one of the objects of the programme. Otherwise he has no reason for becoming 
a "Fellow." Such are the majority of the exoteric Society, composed of 
"attached" and "unattached" members. [An "attached member" means one who has 
joined some particular branch of the T. S. An "unattached," one who belongs 
to the Society at large, has his diploma, from the Headquarters (Adyar, 
Madras), but is connected with no branch or lodge.] These may, or may not, 
become theosophists de facto. Members they are, by virtue of their having 
joined the Society; but the latter cannot make a theosophist of one who has 
no sense for the divine fitness of things, or of him who understands 
Theosophy in his own — if the expression may be used — sectarian and 
egotistic way. "Handsome is, as handsome does" could be paraphrased in this 
case and be made to run: "Theosophist is, who Theosophy does."