Theos-Talk Archives (November 2003 Message tt00096)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Eldon B tucker" <listmail@t...> 
wrote:
> It's not necessary to draw a distinction between people based upon 
whether
> they incorporate a particular virtue into their outer lives -- like 
a
> vegetarian diet -- or not.

According to Olcott (BUDDHIST CATECHISM) the point of the matter is 
that 99% if all the bad karma people generate comes from violating 
one or mnre of the Five Grave Precepts. Observing the precepts does 
not make you a saint, in other words, but has the practical effect of 
avoiding a considerable anount of trouble which others are 
enthusiastically bringing on themselves. Since the precepts are 
simple, few in number, and do not require that one become an ascetic 
monk, complete with hairshirt and whip, this is a major benefit 
easily acquired. I have been told by some Theosophists that even the 
most elementary matters of practice are verboten and that we must 
restrict outselves to sitting around reading magazines. But becoming 
a mahatma by reading magazines is about like becoming a body builder 
by watching Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not only are the movies terrible, 
but you won't win any competitions by sitting around eating popcorn.