Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00199)

July 16 2004

Dear Friend:

It seems to me that the whole of the SECRET DOCTRINE and the "original
literature of Theosophy" is a part of what is called the "Eternal Doctrine,"
Sanatana Dhammo" It therefore includes the Mahayana as one of its
expositions.

We have to recall that all we have of these various systems (unless we are
scholars versed in those original languages and can read them directly) are
translations; and as is the usual case, the translator inevitably injects
some of his / her own views.

----------------------------

In the early days of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, 

the Great Master (The Maha Chohan) wrote in part:

"The doctrine we promulgate being the only true one, must--supported by such
evidence as we are preparing to give--become ultimately triumphant, like
every other truth. Yet it is absolutely necessary to inculcate it gradually;
enforcing its theories (unimpeachable facts for those who know) with direct
inference, deduced from and corroborated by the evidence furnished by modern
exact science. ...

For our doctrines to practically react on the so-called moral code, or the
ideas of truthfulness, purity, self-denial, charity, etc., we have to preach
and popularize a knowledge of Theosophy. It is not the individual and
determined purpose of attaining Nirvana-the culmination of all knowledge and
absolute wisdom, which is after all only an exalted and glorious
selfishness--but the self-sacrificing pursuit of the best means to lead on
the right path our neighbour, to cause to benefit by it as many of our
fellow-creatures as we possibly can, which constitutes the true
Theosophist.
   
The intellectual portion of mankind seems to be fast dividing into two
classes: the one unconsciously preparing for itself long periods of
temporary annihilation or states of non-consciousness, owing to the
deliberate surrender of intellect, and its imprisonment in the narrow
grooves of bigotry and superstition -- a process which cannot fail to lead
to the utter deformation of the intellectual principle; the other
unrestrainedly indulging its animal propensities with the deliberate
intention of submitting to annihilation pure and simple, in case of failure,
and to millenniums of degradation after physical dissolution. Those
intellectual classes, reacting upon the ignorant masses-which they attract,
and which look up to them as noble and fit examples to be followed --
degrade and morally ruin those they ought to protect and guide. Between
degrading superstition and still more degrading brutal materialism, the
White Dove of Truth has hardly room whereon to rest her weary unwelcome
feet.
   
It is time that Theosophy should enter the arena. The sons of Theosophists
are more likely to become in their turn Theosophists than anything else. No
messenger of the truth, no prophet, has ever achieved during his life-time a
complete triumph--not even Buddha. ...

For everyone knows that total emancipation from the authority of the one
all-pervading power, or law--called God by the priests, and Buddha, Divine
Wisdom and enlightenment or Theosophy, by the philosophers of all
ages--means also the emancipation from that of human law. Once unfettered
and delivered from their deadweight of dogmatism, interpretations, personal
names, anthropomorphic conceptions, and salaried priests, the fundamental
doctrines of all religions will be proved identical in their esoteric
meaning. Osiris, Krishna, Buddha, Christ, will be shown as different means
for one and the same royal highway to final bliss -- Nirvana.
   
Mystical Christianity teaches Self-redemption through one's own seventh
principle, the liberated Paramatma, called by the one Christ, by others
Buddha; this is equivalent to regeneration, or rebirth in spirit, and it
therefore expounds just the same truth as the Nirvana of Buddhism. 

All of us have to get rid of our own Ego, the illusory, apparent self, to
recognize our true Self, in a transcendental divine life. But if we would
not be selfish, we must strive to make other people see that truth, and
recognize the reality of the transcendental Self, the Buddha, the Christ, or
God of every preacher. This is why even esoteric Buddhism is the surest path
to lead men towards the one esoteric truth....

But there is hardly a Theosophist in the whole Society unable to effectually
help it by correcting erroneous impressions of outsiders, by himself
actually propagating this idea. Oh! for noble and unselfish men to help us
effectually in that divine task! All our knowledge, past and present, would
not be sufficient to repay him.
   
Having explained our views and aspirations, I have but a few words more to
add. The true religion and philosophy offer the solution of every problem.
That the world is in such a bad condition, morally, is a conclusive evidence
that none of its religions and philosophies, those of the civilized races
less than any other, has ever possessed the truth. 

The right and logical explanations on the subject of the problems of the
great dual principles, right and wrong, good and evil, liberty and
despotism, pain and pleasure, egotism and altruism, are as impossible to
them now as they were 1880 years ago. 

They are as far from the solution as they were; but to these problems there
must be somewhere a consistent solution, and if our doctrines will show
their competence to offer it, then the world will be the first to confess
that there must be the true philosophy, the true religion, the true light,
which gives truth and nothing but the truth."

----------------------------


In my opinion: One needs to firmly secure the idea that there is a single
"school" and a single "Great Ancient Lodge" of the Great Primeval Teachers
-- we may call them the "Mahatmas," or the "Masters of Wisdom," and,
periodically they teach some aspect of the ancient philosophy to a group of
persons who have merited such attention. 

Such teachings may become the sources for "religions" -- started as creeds
some time after their passing.  

One of the cardinal teachings of the ancient philosophy is that each student
(each Man and woman) is a "priest" unto themselves. The only true
"authority" each student can rely on is his own inner "God," the "Ray of the
One Spirit," the Atma, and this is also called the "Higher Self." This is
true Unity and makes on our plane Brotherhood. We are all members of the
Family of Man. 

Note:
[This article / letter was printed in LUCIFER [1896, August)] without
signature as "An Important Letter," prefaced by the statement that it "was
circulated by H.P.B. among many of her pupils, and some quotations from it
have been published from time to time." 

The Letter belongs to the early days of the Theosophical Society in India
[1881] and was part of the correspondence received (through H.P.B.) by A. P.
Sinnett and A. O. Hume from the Theosophical Adepts. His Adept-teacher
introduced the letter to Mr. Sinnett as "an abridged version of the view of
the Chohan on the T.S. from his own words as given last night"--in reply to
objections about the conduct of the Society and especially to the
"Brotherhood plank."
     
Although the text of the complete letter was not published until after H.P.
Blavatsky and Wm. Q. Judge had left the scene, both provided a setting for
the statements made, and both quoted in their magazines some passages for
particular attention.] 

Apparently we have merited the widest presentation yet made in historical
times. The whole Earth has potentially the ancient truths revealed to it
very widely, and with Internet this range has increased many times. 

Are individuals going to make use of them?  

This is as I have learned it. 

It appears supremely logical to me.  

Who can fail to be moved by such an appeal?

Best wishes,

Dallas

-----------------------------------------------------

[This article was printed in Lucifer [1896, August)] without signature as
"An Important Letter," prefaced by the statement that it "was circulated by
H.P.B. among many of her pupils, and some quotations from it have been
published from time to time." The Letter belongs to the early days of the
Theosophical Society in India [1881] and was part of the correspondence
received (through H.P.B.) by A. P. Sinnett and A. O. Hume from the
Theosophical Adepts. His Adept-teacher introduced the letter to Mr. Sinnett
as "an abridged version of the view of the Chohan on the T.S. from his own
words as given last night"-- in reply to objections about the conduct of the
Society and especially to the "Brotherhood plank."
     
Although the text of the complete letter was not published until after
H.P. Blavatsky and Wm. Q. Judge had left the scene, both provided a setting
for the statements made, and both quoted in their magazines some passages
for particular attention.]
 
=============================


-----Original Message-----
From: Pedro O
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:28 PM
To: 
Subject: Mahatmas, Evolution and Emptiness

The connection between HPB's Teachers and Mahayana
Buddhism is well established in "The Mahatma Letters",
in a number of her articles and in "The Voice of the
Silence". But although in Mahayana Buddhism emptiness
(sunyata) is one of the core principles, it does not
seem to occupy a prominent place neither in "The
Secret Doctrine" nor in "The Mahatma Letters", in both
of which evolution seems to be a central concept.

Can anyone throw light on this apparent puzzle?

Pedro 


	
		
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