Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00396)

Aug 21 2004



Dear Sallev:



You are right that THEOSOPHY is the basis for Mahayana Buddhism. 



We know little about that system as most of it is veiled in the language of
esotericism, and, is therefore secret or a mystery to what might be called
the average "practical mind." [If one desires to discover some of the
aspects of what is the "occult" and the "esoteric," then take the
THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY, the SECRET DOCTRINE and ISIS UNVEILED, and reading
those through, from page to page, mark and extract all those explanations
HPB gives relating to: "The Occult doctrine says." or, "esotericism
teaches."] 



In advancing the general teachings that are basic to all religions and
philosophies, HPB used as illustration examples taken from many ancient
schools and their tenets, objectives and practises. ISIS UNVEILED and the
SECRET DOCTRINE are full of those illustrations. 



For THEOSOPHY to be studied and accepted some kind of links had and have to
be established with those bodies of study and living that exist in the past
and continue into the present. 



She says in many places that Buddhism is probably the best of these.



Col. Olcott on behalf of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY spent much time between
1880 and 1885 traveling and seeking to unite the scattered schools of
Buddhism into a unified base. He produced the "A BUDDHIST CATECHISM" which
gives the reader a sound basis for this.



The VOICE OF THE SILENCE that HPB translated (relates to the same collection
as the mysterious Senzar source of the stanzas of the "Book of Dzyan") -
provides us with insights into the depths of idealism and spirituality
embedded in what little we know of as Mahayana Buddhism. That is the
mysterious "Heart Doctrine" and relates directly to the faculty of
Buddhi-Manas" present in all of humanity, even if in embryo. This is the
vital and practical side of THEOSOPHY. 



It is for those who apprehend it, one of the doorways to self-reform and
self-evolution - a process whereby the average brain-mind (Lower Manas) fits
itself to become one with the Higher Manas - BUDDHI-MANAS, and thereby
become truly wise and benevolent. Of course such an attempt is always
opposed by the selfishly pragmatic. But an account of this can be made in
another posting. 



Further it must be remembered that what is called "Buddhism" today, and a
"religion" was never such. It is a collection of the words uttered by the
Buddha who came to reform Hinduism and Brahmanism. 2,500 years ago - and
used the language of the common people "Pali," not Sanskrit in which (as
texts) the lore of the Brahmins was stored. 



For these tow reasons a Sanskrit word like "Atma" may not be found as such
in Buddhist canonical writings. However the CONCEPT IS TO BE FOUND THERE.
For example: How are "fullness" and "void" to be discussed? What is the
source of Bodha - wisdom? When manifestation is over what happens to
"Space?" 



Why should we pay any attention to these?



Because it was necessary to connect the fundamentals with the best (and
sometimes the worst) of the religious dogmas and tenets with the true
original sources. 



It is also true to say that Sri Shankaracharya was apparently a
reincarnation of the Buddha - now come to reform Brahmanism. The
"Smarthava" Brahmanical sect emerged from this attempt. 



In ISIS UNVEILED, HPB gives evidence that Jesus studied under Buddhist monks
who had established themselves for centuries on the shores of the Sea of
Galilee and the "Dead Sea."



Best wishes,



Dallas



-----Original Message-----
From: sallev
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 7:38 PM
To: 
Subject: Theosophy and buddhsim



Dal-is this what you really meant to say:"THEOSOPHY is an aspect of 
Mahayana Buddhism". Surely the Wisdom Religion-Theosophia-is the 
basis for all systems to follow, including Buddhism. The teachings of 
the Buddha, although called Buddhism when configured by its 
proponents over the last thousands of years, is the systematic 
approach to the reasertion of the ancient wisdom religion, by the 
Buddha (and Sankaracharya 60 years later). In the same vein, the 
codified doctrine attributed to Jehosheva (Jesus) was another 
reiteration of the ancient Wisdom Religion. In truth there is nothing 
else, nor can there ever be.
The Buddhist relation to the concept of Atman, is really like 
speaking apples and oranges, since there is no mention in Buddhism of 
it, except in the sense of anatman, or no atman or no Self. In this 
sense all is a dependent origination except that which is "not". This 
is really an incomprehensible way of looking at the comparison 
between doctrines. In truth no comparison was ever intended. The 
Buddha taught that such discussion or questions are "non-edifying" 
since proof of either perspective does nothing to further ones 
ability to do ones duty. 





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