Theos-Talk Archives (March 2007 Message tt00097)

Exoteric and Esoteric Theosophy???? 
& the Tower of Babel???
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I quote BELOW specific extracts from two sections of H.P. Blavatsky's 
THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY.  

I believe that these two extracts WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER throw some 
light on one of the issues raised by Bruce.

What was H.P.B.'s thinking as shown in these two extracts?

Bruce, what do you think?  And what do other readers think?

I will be more than happy to clarify what I think these two extracts 
show us.  

Daniel
http://hpb.cc

EXTRACT 1 from THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY

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Section 2
EXOTERIC AND ESOTERIC THEOSOPHY.

....ENQUIRER. Which system do you prefer or follow, in that case, 
besides Buddhistic ethics? 

THEOSOPHIST. None, and all. We hold to no religion, as to no 
philosophy in particular: we cull the good we find in each. But here, 
again, it must be stated that, like all other ancient systems, 
Theosophy is divided into Exoteric and Esoteric Sections. 

ENQUIRER. What is the difference? 

THEOSOPHIST. The members of the Theosophical Society at large are 
free to profess whatever religion or philosophy they like, or none if 
they so prefer, provided they are in sympathy with, and ready to 
carry out one or more of the three objects of the Association. The 
Society is a philanthropic and scientific body for the propagation of 
the idea of brotherhood on practical instead of theoretical lines. 
The Fellows may be Christians or Mussulmen, Jews or Parsees, 
Buddhists or Brahmins, Spiritualists or Materialists, it does not 
matter; but every member must be either a philanthropist, or a 
scholar, a searcher into Aryan and other old literature, or a psychic 
student. In short, he has to help, if he can, in the carrying out of 
at least one of the objects of the programme. Otherwise he has no 
reason for becoming a "Fellow." Such are the majority of the exoteric 
Society, composed of "attached" and "unattached" members. 
[An "attached member" means one who has joined some particular branch 
of the T. S. An "unattached," one who belongs to the Society at 
large, has his diploma, from the Headquarters (Adyar, Madras), but is 
connected with no branch or lodge.] These may, or may not, become 
Theosophists de facto. Members they are, by virtue of their having 
joined the Society; but the latter cannot make a Theosophist of one 
who has no sense for the divine fitness of things, or of him who 
understands Theosophy in his own -- if the expression may be used -- 
sectarian and egotistic way. "Handsome is, as handsome does" could be 
paraphrased in this case and be made to run: "Theosophist is, who 
Theosophy does." 

THEOSOPHISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE "T. S." 

ENQUIRER. This applies to lay members, as I understand. And what of 
those who pursue the esoteric study of Theosophy; are they the real 
Theosophists? 

THEOSOPHIST. Not necessarily, until they have proven themselves to be 
such. They have entered the inner group and pledged themselves to 
carry out, as strictly as they can, the rules of the occult body.... 
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Quoted from:  http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/key/key-2.htm


EXTRACT 2 from THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Section 4
THE RELATIONS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY TO THEOSOPHY

....ENQUIRER. But surely those few who have felt the need of such 
truths must have made up their minds to believe in something 
definite? You tell me that, the Society having no doctrines of its 
own, every member may believe as he chooses and accept what he 
pleases. This looks as if the Theosophical Society was bent upon 
reviving the confusion of languages and beliefs of the Tower of Babel 
of old. Have you no beliefs in common? 

THEOSOPHIST. What is meant by the Society having no tenets or 
doctrines of its own is, that no special doctrines or beliefs are 
obligatory on its members; but, of course, this applies only to the 
body as a whole. The Society, as you were told, is divided into an 
outer and an inner body. Those who belong to the latter have, of 
course, a philosophy, or -- if you so prefer it -- a religious system 
of their own. 

ENQUIRER. May we be told what it is? 

THEOSOPHIST. We make no secret of it. It was outlined a few years ago 
in the Theosophist and "Esoteric Buddhism," and may be found still 
more elaborated in the "Secret Doctrine." It is based on the oldest 
philosophy of the world, called the Wisdom-Religion or the Archaic 
Doctrine....
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Quoted from:  http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/key/key-4.htm