TESTIMONY TO MAHATMAS,
Mar 30, 2006 05:09 AM
by W.Dallas TenBroeck
Thursday, March 30, 2006
In Re: TESTIMONY AS TO MAHATMAS, .
Friends:
Evidence available on the presence and existence of the Great Adepts – MEN
-- like we all are, who have spiritualized themselves, the “THEOSOPHICAL
MAHATMAS.”
Mr. W. Q. Judge, editor of PATH, New York, in 1895-6 published the
following testimony:
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TESTIMONY TO MAHATMAS
PATH Vol. 9 Feb 1895 p. 385 to 387
“ “ 9 Mar 1895 p. 424 to
426
“ “ 10 May 1895 p. 44 to
?
“ “ 10 July 1895 p. 127 to
128
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TESTIMONY AS TO MAHATMAS.
THE name Mahâtmâ in these articles is intended to embrace also Masters,
Brothers of the Lodge, Initiates, and the like. The word testimony embraces
all statements and proofs intended to bring out and constitute evidence of
fact. All persons who have testimony on this subject are invited to send it
to the PATH, where it will appear either in full or condensed. I should be
informed in each case whether or not names may be used. If not to be used,
an initial will precede the published statement. W.Q.J.
------------------------------------
1. The Vedas, admittedly among the oldest of religions books, if not in fact
the oldest, contain the word Mahâtmâ, which means “great soul”. The
Bhagavad-Gîtâ says that “such a one [a Mahâtmâ] is difficult to find”.
2.. From H. P. B. Her assertions to her relatives many years ago that
she knew such wonderful beings; later, similar assertions and objective
proofs to her American friends, then to her English and Indian friends; her
statement and that of Masters themselves in writing that they had assisted
her in most of the book Secret Doctrine.
This message was received by Dr. Hübbe-Schleiden of Germany, and has been
reprinted in the PATH. With H.P. B. begins the testimony for the Western
world in this age, and she began a revival in India of the belief in the
actual present existence of Mahâtmâs, as to whom a general belief had always
existed there.
3. Col. H. S. Olcott has asserted continuously, in private and public, in
all parts of the world by speech and writing, that he has had personal
objective and introspective proof of the existence of not only the one
Master so much spoken of, but also of K.H. and others. He declared very
often most unequivocally that he had met the Masters.
In the London Convention of 1894 he made the same statement in public on the
platform. He writes publicly that Isis Unveiled was worked upon in New York
by more than one of the Masters; he gives testimony as to having received a
turban from one of the Masters; he further mentions that many of the Masters
came to New York when he met and worked with H.P.B., and that he conversed
with some of them.
4. Damodar K. Mavalankar, a Hindu who joined the Society soon after H. P. B.
went to India and worked for it unselfishly for seven years, has often
declared that he knew personally of the existence of the Masters spoken of
in Theosophical literature.
5. Mohini M. Chatterji, another Hindû, often stated prior to 1884 that he
knew of the existence of said Masters personally.
6. Mr. A. P. Sinnett, President of the London Lodge T.S. and author of
Esoteric Buddhism, says that that book was made up from letters from the
said Masters, and in that book and The Occult World he gives certain
particulars on the subject, testifying to the same point. He has always
asserted his belief in their existence on personal knowledge as well as on
argument and testimony.
7. William Q. Judge has given testimony for many years to the same effect to
wit, that he knows personally of the existence of the said Masters, as well
as of others, and also that he knows a great many persons, and has for many
years, who personally know independently of himself the same fact.
8. R., an American, testifies to having known, before hearing of the
Theosophical Society, the Master whose picture is known to several members,
and that many years’ help from the same Master has given complete proof of
his existence and the possibility of the existence of any others.
9. The Christian Bible describes in many instances saints and sages who
appear to stand in the same position as a Mahâtmâ. The mysterious character
who appeared in the Bible once for the purpose of blessing Abraham, “the
friend of God”, was named Melchizedek and was probably a Master.
10. The Countess Wachtmeister has repeatedly declared that she has seen in
the astral light at Theosophical meetings and at other places, and very
often near H.P.B., the figure of the Master as described by many other
persons and as pictured, and that she has received, independently of H.P.B.,
in circumstances where fraud or trick would be impossible, messages from
said Master.
11. D., a member of the American Section, says that in early youth, in a
vivid dream, a being came and offered comforting remarks on the subject of
predestination which then was oppressing D.‘s mind. The face of the being
was deeply impressed on the memory. After joining the T.S., D. one day was
shown the Master’s picture, and was amazed beyond measure to see that it was
the likeness of the being who in youth, many years before, had come in the
dream.
12. W.D. says that for a long time he wished to have introspective proof of
the existence of the Masters, believing in the possibility of such existing.
He became deeply involved in business, and was engaged in his work in a
sparsely inhabited place. While writing on business he became conscious that
some one appeared to be standing near him, and then he saw it was the
Master, either present astrally or in thought-picture. This aroused the
surety within of their actual present existence.
13. T.P.T., an American, says that during almost the whole of life, for many
years, a being, identical with the picture of the Master, has been
continually helping in spiritual development, insisting on altruistic work
and guarding against falling into personalities. “He is glorious in
appearance, majesty, power, and kindness; he is human, yet far beyond us: he
has directed me to the Theosophical Society; I am as sure of his existence
as I am of any fact in my entire life. He not only directed me to the T. S.,
but also told me to join it; he has identified himself to me as H.P.B.’s
Master; he watches the T.S. I know as surely as I know anything.”
PATH Magazine, Vol. 9, p. 385
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2
PATH Magazine, Vol. 9, p. 425
TESTIMONY AS TO MAHATMAS. Part II
THE name Mahâtmâ in these articles is intended to embrace also Masters,
Brothers of the Lodge, Initiates, and the like. The word testimony embraces
all statements and proofs intended to bring out and constitute evidence of
fact. All persons who have testimony on this subject are invited to send it
to the PATH, where it will appear either in full or condensed. I should be
informed in each case whether or not names may be used. If not to be used,
an initial will precede the published statement.
W. Q. J.
------------------------------------------
14. Nâha, an American, says that several years prior to joining the T.S. he
met and talked with one of the minor Adepts at work in America, and that
since he became a member of the Society he has seen both the Master and H.P.
B. in dreams, that he has conversed psychically with a Greek Adept, and that
he personally knows an Adept of the White Brotherhood who resides in
America, and has met him in his physical body and been constantly incited by
him to work for the good of the Theosophical Society.
15. L.G., an American, says: “From my earliest childhood I have had with me,
in my inner life, a Friend frequently with me in both pleasure and pain; who
chided, encouraged, and aided me, and whose face grew so familiar that when
one day shown a portrait of ‘one of the Brothers of the Lodge’ I instantly
recognized it. I have often seen him since and had aid and instruction from
him. I have also seen in the same way the Master whose picture I afterwards
was shown. I wish I could inspire others with some conception of these
Beings and of the devotion that is due them.”
16. Ida M. Holbrook says: ‘Before joining the T.S. a Being appeared to me in
my waking hours in broad daylight and gave me instruction and encouragement.
There was with this Master another (not, however, in the physical) person,
well known to all sincere and devoted F.T.S., whose name it is not necessary
to mention and whose features then I did not know but have since identified.
This Being I have identified with the Master, and he said he would come
again when I needed him. Nothing can cause me to doubt the existence of
those great souls we have called the Masters.”
17. C.H.J., an American, says: “Some years ago, before I knew of Theosophy
or the T.S. except by bare mention, I was in danger of being wrongly
influenced by one who called himself a Theosophist. I then first saw and met
psychically beings whom I called Brothers, of evident power and great
development. They taught me and explained certain things, warning me against
this dangerous person. They outlined much of theosophical theory as given
out by H.P.B. Since I became an F.T.S. I have identified one of those Beings
with H. P. B.‘s Master. I will add that knowledge of the existence of these
Great Ones is for me clear and positive, my belief in the Masters is due to
experience, and not to testimony from others or study from books.”
PATH Magazine, Vol. 9, p. 425 [Part II]
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3
PATH Magazine, Vol. 10, p. 44, Part III
TESTIMONY AS TO MAHATMAS. Part III
THE NAME Mahâtmâ in these articles is intended to embrace also Masters,
Brothers of the Lodge, Initiates, and the like. The word testimony embraces
all statements and proofs intended to bring out and constitute evidence of
fact. All persons who have testimony on this subject are invited to send it
to the PATH, where it will appear either in full or condensed. I should be
informed in each case whether or not names may be used. If not to be used,
an initial will precede the published statement. W. Q. J.
----------------------------------
18. J., an American, says that he has received aid at important points in
his life from one of those whom he believes to be the Mahâtmâs: “After what
seemed to be a short talk with me, he satisfied my mind on an important
point, identifying himself to me as the real author of certain statements
and pamphlets published by members of the Theosophical Society. It was this,
with the teachings of Theosophy, that led me to believe in the work that the
Society is carrying on, and that some great being is helping the movement.
Others may term this interview a vision, but with me it is as much real as
any other fact of my existence.”
19. A.B.C. says that “at a lecture being delivered by a prominent
Theosophist I saw the Master’s form overshadowing the speaker, and with so
strong an influence that it seemed to change the appearance of the speaker.
There is no doubt in my mind as to this event. I was in all my senses and
not excited.”
20. A.G. “For some years past I have had what is for me direct and
satisfactory evidence of the existence of a group of Adepts or Masters who
help the Theosophical movement and individuals who work for the good of
humanity. This evidence has been introspective, but has been followed by
confirmation due to the coming to pass of that which I was informed by these
helpers would occur. And I can say that, believing H.P.B. was an Adept, I
have received help from her when she was living in a body, although I never
personally met her.”
21. In January, 1895, Mr. Alexander Fullerton published a circular, which he
sent to members of the T. S. in all parts of the world, giving testimony. He
stated therein that he had had a message from the Mahâtmâ, through another
person in whom he had the most perfect confidence. This message related to
difficulties then existing in the T.S. Of course this, considered as
testimony, is really the testimony of the person who gave him the message.
But we happen to know that that person has always asserted not only belief
in the Mahâtmâ, but also the reception of messages from him.
PATH Magazine, Vol. 10, p. 44, Part III
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4
PATH Magazine, Vol. 10, p.127, Part IV
TESTIMONY AS TO MAHATMAS Part IV
THE NAME Mahâtmâ in these articles is intended to embrace also Masters,
Brothers of the Lodge, Initiates, and the like. The word testimony embraces
all statements and proofs intended to bring out and constitute evidence of
fact. All persons who have testimony on this subject are invited to send it
to the PATH, where it will appear either in full or condensed. I should be
informed in each case whether or not names may be used. If not to be used,
an initial will precede the published statement. W. Q. J.
-------------------------------------
22. A.W.W. “I attended the American Theosophical Convention held at New York
in 1893. Sitting near the door in the crowded room I had to pay particular
attention to speakers at the other end. The subject of the hour was the
Religious Parliament to be held at the World’s Fair. A good deal of
enthusiasm prevailed as Mr. Judge was relating what had to be done and
speaking of the importance of the matter. I was regarding him very closely
and only thinking of what he was talking of.
“As he went on I observed a form taking shape near his right
shoulder, rather nearer to Mr. Judge than to the chairman, Dr. Buck. This
shape became definitely that of a man of impressive appearance. I had seen
no pictures of the Masters and could not connect the form with any picture,
but I then at once felt it was one of them. Since then I saw the picture of
Mahâtmâ K. H. identically that of the being I have described. It is for me
proof of the existence of these beings and of their interest in such
movements as ours.”
23. B.S.H. relates what took place with another: “Some weeks ago
at a regular meeting of a Theosophical class in the State of New York we
were reading about the Mahâtmâs. Some one spoke of how to communicate with
them. An old lady, a natural psychic, said that some years ago when
melancholy and discontented a being came and showed her the picture of a
former incarnation of hers when she had cultivated materiality but not her
spiritual nature. The present one was, he said, for discipline spiritually.
>From this she became contented with her lot and knew reincarnation and karma
to be facts.
“I asked her then what was the being, if she knew. She said she
could tell whether such visitors were images of the mind, the spirits of the
dead, or living people; and this being she said was a living man, who was
good and wise. Her description of him was, tall, finely formed, black hair
and whiskers, piercing eyes and that he wore a ‘round white cap-thing’ on
his head. I then said I thought it one of the Masters who worked with the
Theosophical Movement. Then she said that during the whole meeting the same
being had been standing beside me.”
PATH Magazine, Vol. 10, p.127 Part IV
24. To a number of persons, Mrs. Besant stated that "she had seen
the Master himself come and speak through my (Mr. Judge's) body while I was
perfectly conscious." [ Quoted from an ES circular, Nov. 3rd. 1894 --
W.Q.J. ]
25. Ramaswamiar in Sikkhim. { L F T M of W 1st Series )
26. To a number of persons, Mrs. Besant stated that "she had seen
the Master himself come and speak through my (Mr. Judge's) body while I was
perfectly conscious." [ Quoted by Mr. Judge in an ESOTERIC SECTION
circular, dated Nov. 3rd. 1894 -- W.Q.J. ]
27, Various Chelas in THEOSOPHIST. [ Protest to Hume’s article ]
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Note: copied from PATH, and other sources.
Dallas
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