Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00639)

Dec 21 2002


Dear Gopi:

A I read and understand the duties of true Theosophists:

Any observance ENFORCED ON OTHERS is not correct or acceptable to the
true theosophist.

Fanatics and bigots are humans without heads, common sense, pity,
mercy, or basic reasoning.

All religions, political parties, nationalities etc.. have those who
claim adherence, and in fact drag the concept of those brotherhoods,
their honesty and their freedom down into the dirt. Such acts and
others do this. The fault is always that of individuals.

The system can always be twisted and misinterpreted, and words be
taken out of context -- this is the way in which "the party line'
gets formed.

Some make themselves into "policy dictators," and then employ mindless
and ignorant "policemen," to ensure and enforce their kind of
"rectitude." It is always external appearances and words, that the
gossips use for talky-talky. And what a person actually thinks and
feels internally is never known. [Do you recall how "suttee" was
shown by Raj Ram Mohun Roy to be an inexact rendering by the priests
of an old Vedic rule ? By altering one syllable, the priests changed
the injunction to the widow to "rise to life" from the death scene at
the pyre. The Vedas never wanted to immolate the widow on the pyre,
nor did they enjoin from re-marriage. To say that, contradicts every
rule and injunction of the Vedas -- and those who knew that, and could
read Sanskrit, could prove this from the most ancient texts
available. ]

Theosophy is a plea for common sense, and therefore for KNOWLEDGE and
WISDOM. It is a plea for individuals to fortify themselves in
practice, self-reliance and mutual assistance, and no rule or rote,
the result of dogmatism, or fanaticism, past or present, is to be
imposed on others, but solely on one's lower self.

This is a terrible act. No one can be such a judge, so as to kill or
torture any one else. If you look closely at such things you will see
that they start in GOSSIP ABOUT OTHERS.

If one "minds one's own business," then a great portion of
blame-placing will disappear.

I would say this is a very sound rule: If anything is to be said
concerning another, let it be said openly and to their face. No one
ought to listen to such gossip without insisting on the other being
called and also be asked to listen to it. This is a sure rule of true
occultism, as also of honest living.

Those who LISTEN TO GOSSIP are as sinful as those that pass it on --
through speech. It is a misapplication of the power of speech, and
is entirely malicious. You will find that every evil in the world
that involves several people to be co-actors rises from gossip.
Honest straight speech straightens out things. Concealment magnified
misunderstandings. We should never assume that others think, or
understand, exactly as we do.

"Let him who is without sin throw the first stone" said Jesus. Who is
sinless? Who thinks any "God" is a blood-stained Deity, a power (of
false or anti-religion) that kills and destroys, and encourages his
devotees to do this? "Thugee" ought to be forever banned.

But as theosophists we have to observe the rule of gentleness and
brotherhood and seek to re-educate. We ought t also insist in every
case that there be free and clear confrontation -- so that the very
root of misunderstandings can be revealed and cleared.

But it is important to realize WE CANNOT BLAME THE "RELIGION," unless
we also know it thoroughly. and know its good and bad points for
ourselves.

We can only place blame on the narrow bigotry and IGNORANCE of those
PERSONS who take such an irreligious and un-brotherly course. You
will find plenty of Muslims who will decry and repudiate such acts as
not being sanctioned in the Koran or anywhere. But there are others
(usually priests who have to 'maintain their position') who use their
knowledge of the texts to bolster their grip on the ignorant and the
fanatics. They become "Black Magicians." This can be seen in the
annals of any religion, or any political party, or group ruled by
"laws and by-laws" -- anywhere, past or present.

These ideas ought to be thought out, and their rationale made
available and advertised. Our job is to know, and then invariably, to
point to the TRUTH.

Truth heals. Error does not.

Best wishes,


Dallas


============================
-----Original Message-----
From: Gopi Chari
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 6:20 AM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-study] What is the responsibility of Theosophists

What is the responsibility of Theosophists and the world at large?

A woman is beheaded in Kashmir for not wearing a burqa.

Militants barged into the house of Jan Begum, in Rajouri district and
beheaded her on Friday night. The incident came in less than 24 hours
of the killing of three girls between 21 and 23 years in the same
district.

Note: Burqa is the black veil that covers from head to toe,
used when a woman goes out of her home.