Theos-Talk Archives (November 2006 Message tt00714)

Daniel and everyone -

I have been thinking over this problem of HPB original editions vs. 
edited editions, the questions of 'silent editing' etc. Regarding 
HPB original editions, I remember writing in the Eclectic 
Theosophist in the mid 1970's an article critical of TPH Wheaton's 
reprint of Besant's edition of 'The Voice of the Silence' bacause 
Besant edited out the footnote and teaching regarding Pratyeka 
Buddhas. I still agree today that editorial changes of this kind are 
inappropriate and should not be made in the text. However, I do have 
to bring up and question the value of what I will term 'absolute 
literalism'. It is this view that refuses to see the need to correct 
misspelled Sanskrit and Tibetan words, errors of textual reference 
and history etc. I also have to say that the tendency toward 
this 'absolute literalism', is also counter productive to 
understanding and honoring HPB's spirit and intent. Why ? because 
this focus on the literal WORD, can be seen historically and in 
every esoteric and religious movement to shift the attention away 
from the inner meaning. There is much more I could elaborate on this 
issue, but will keep it short only to answer the question: Which 
edition(s) of 'The Voice of the Silence' would I recommend to 
students today ? First I would recommend the Adyar 1939 Golden 
Jubilee edition (!) that has notes by A.J. Hamerster (Arya Asanga). 
This is the right direction that an edition of the 'Voice' should go 
in today as it begins to give some Buddhist references, correction 
of spelling of terms and context for the entire work that is very 
useful to students. (though I do not agree with all his comments) 
With this the TUP edition, which as you say is closest to the 
original edition and also the 'Peking edition' that was published by 
Alice Cleather and Basil Crump which has much useful notation as 
well. Of course, there are many significant points that need to be 
brought up to date in all these editions as well.......

Regarding 'silent editing': I have followed all the arguments  pro 
and con on this. A funny thing happened when the subject first came 
up. In my mind I was agreeing 100% with those arguing that ALL 
silent editing is completely wrong etc. The examples and views made 
a lot of sense. I was thinking that 'Daniel should really have been 
more clear in his book and NOT edited HPB without indications 
etc' .... then really I couldn't stop laughing .... at myself ! as I 
realized that I had just finished  a short anthology of some of 
dePurucker's writings relating to Buddhism "Wisdom Practice: Gateway 
to Enlightenment" AND in the editing of this book I too have engaged 
in 'silent editing' throughout the text !!! I also made this 
decision due to the fact that all the texts are available in print 
and to include all.. the.....dots... ..would ...have... made 
the...... book....almost ....unreadable ! ....... 

Ken