Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00690)

Dear Duane, Dear Friends, 
 
 
In the Mahatma Letters, a Master mentions   “the maya of heresy and belief in the efficacy of vain rites and ceremonies;  in prayers and intercession”(1).
 
In the first volume published by Adyar TS with Mahatma Letters to Mr. Sinnett  —  a 1923  edition with only some of them,  prepared and annotated by Jinarajadasa  and published under the title of “Early Teachings of the Masters” —  there is a footnote to this sentence which expands a little bit the available  information.   
 
Jinarajadasa’s note says: 
 
“Of  the ten ‘Fetters’ on the Path to liberation, the first three are: 1---Sakkayaditthi, the delusion of self; 2---Vichikicheha, doubt ;  3---Silabbataparamasa, belief in the efficacy of rites and ceremonies.” (2) 
 
Later on the same letter, the Adept-Teacher compares ceremonies and rituals to  “glittering bubbles to amuse babes with”. (3)
 
The Masters  view on rituals is therefore most clear.  They constitute a childish activity,  from the viewpoint of esoteric tradition. 
 
Best regards,  Carlos. 
 
 
NOTES:
 
(1) “The Mahatma Letters”, TUP, Letter XVI, p. 111.  
 
(2) “Early Teachings of the Masters (1881-1883)”, C. Jinarajadasa,  Kessinger Publishing Company, Montana, USA, 246 pp., see p. 61. 
 
(3) “The Mahatma Letters”, TUP, Letter XVI, p. 111. 
 
 


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