Theos-Talk Archives (November 2002 Message tt00618)

REPEATING LIES ABOUT THEOSOPHY DOESN'T TURN THEM INTO TRUTHS, AND A LIE
THAT CONTAINS A TRUE WORD HERE AND THERE IS STILL A LIE.

Now...

Bhakti Ananda Goswami wrote:
> 
> --- In theos-talk@y..., Bart Lidofsky <bartl@s...> wrote:
> 
> > REPEATING LIES ABOUT THEOSOPHY DOESN'T TURN THEM INTO TRUTHS.
> >
> > brianmuehlbach wrote:
> > > 1. The only true philosophy of the earth, Theosophy identified as
> > > Buddhism, is found in the Mahatmas' Letters, and these letters
> are the
> > > primary source of esoteric / occult or higher wisdom for
> Theosophists.
> > > Next to these letters, the "Stanzas of Dyzan" are of canonical
> importance
> > > to Theosophists.

The key part of that statement is not that the Mahatmas considered
themselves to be Buddhists, or that they believe in what they consider
to be the only true philosophy. The statement is that the letters
themselves contain that philosophy, as opposed to merely describing a
few aspects of that philosophy, and imperfectly at that. THOSE are the
most important parts of the statement, and proving other parts does not
take away from the basic falsehood of the statement.

> "THEIR TESTIMONY
> MUST BE
> REGARDED AS THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY on all matters of occult doctrine
> and
...
> A. TREVOR BARKER.
> LONDON,
> December, 1924."

A) Barker was trying to sell a book. He was giving his own personal
opinion, NOT speaking for any Theosophical Society.

B) The Mahatmas THEMSELVES write not to accept the writings simply
because it came from them. Therefore, to accept them on the basis of
their authority is to go against their authority. 

> Mahatma Letter No. 10
> http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-10.htm
> 
> "Therefore, we DENY God both as philosophers and AS BUDDHISTS."

So, the Mahatma's considered themselves to be Buddhists. Has nothing to
do with the main thrust of the statement.

> "Mahatma Letter No. 134
> http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-134.htm
> 
> "...OF THE ONLY TRUE
> PHILOSOPHY UPON EARTH AWAY FROM INDIA..."

Taken out of context. Following the link, and reading the whole
sentence, "Their forefathers have driven away the followers of the only
true philosophy upon earth away from India and now, it is not for the
latter to come to them but to them to come to us if they want us.", it
is clear that they are NOT saying that these letters are even
representative of this "one true philosophy". 

Future missives on this topic will steadily decrease in politeness.

Bart