Theos-Talk Archives (March 2012 Message tt00010)

Yes. Anyone on this?

A bit more info is here...

H. P. Blavatsky and the Theosophical Movement by Charles J. Ryan
"During the formative period of the movement in New York the publication of two circulars was authorized. The one displaying the name of the Egyptian Adept, Tuitit, in the form of an acrostic, has already been mentioned. The second one, not dated, but said to have been issued in 1878, is of greater importance because it is the first detailed statement for inquirers about the conditions of membership and, above all, of the chief object of the Society, brotherhood. It runs in part: 
  Its Fellowship is divided into three Sections, and each Section into three Degrees. All candidates for active fellowship are required to enter as probationers, in the Third Degree of the Third Section, and no fixed time is specified in which the new Fellow can advance from any lower to a higher degree; all depends upon merit. To be admitted into the highest degree, of the first section, the Theosophist must have become freed of every leaning toward any one form of religion in preference to another. . . . He must be ready to lay down his life, if necessary, for the good of Humanity, and of a brother Fellow of whatever race, color or ostensible creed. . . . Those who have not yet wholly disenthralled themselves from religious prejudice, and other forms of selfishness, but have made a certain progress towards self-mastery and enlightenment, belong in the Second Section. The Third Section is probationary; . . . 

  The objects of the Society are various. . . . The Society teaches and expects its fellows to personally exemplify the highest morality and religious aspiration; to oppose the materialism of science and every form of dogmatic theology, especially the Christian, which the Chiefs of the Society regard as particularly pernicious; . . . to disseminate a knowledge of the sublime teachings of that pure esoteric system of the archaic period, . . . finally, and chiefly, to aid in the institution of a Brotherhood of Humanity, . . . â THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY: Its Origin, Plan and Aims (Circular from Doubleday Notebook, no. 7). 

The remark about Christian dogmatic theology refers, of course, to the outmoded creeds and crude literal interpretations of the Bible, and not in the least to the teachings of Christ, of which H. P. Blavatsky always spoke with profound respect, affirming that in their esoteric meaning they were identical with the ancient wisdom taught in schools of the Mysteries. From the first, the Society has been absolutely unsectarian and nonpolitical. The belief in brotherhood and the sincere desire to promote it in every legitimate way is the only prerequisite of Fellowship. The study of theosophy is held to be the best means of discovering the true nature of man and therefore of finding the remedies for man's troubles, but theosophy is not presented as a creed or a dogma."
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-tm/hpbtm-6.htm


Interesting indeed.
More info on these Circulars and also the Doubleday Notebook online?

My views are:
In those days - it clearly seems - that the Non-Sectarian (and Non-Dogmatic, liberal or not) aspect of the Society was given more emphasis than we most often witness today - and the Consitution and Rules of the Society was given out in the open in the Magazines or in a circular. Today, it seems, that an open-mindedness and open policy like this would almost tend to be - Sacrilege - to the various more or less sectarian inclined leaders of various theosophical gorups and organisations - Well, at least it seem to be so. I might be mistaken.

And today TS Adyar has a Christian-like Church, with altars and pomp on their compound - claimed to be non-sectarian?




M. Sufilight


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MKR 
  To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 7:09 PM
  Subject: Re: theos-talk The original TS Bye-Laws - are gone bye bye?


    
  If it is not there, then we may have to go to early Theosophist magazines.
  Does anyone else have any other source?

  On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 11:49 AM, M. Sufilight
  <global-theosophy@a8_ZAVh7D9XgtJ0LytY73Y7kXe0dTREbbBvVPhxd4xpoTscLMa0GQ0Z7Z6dyhdvRJMIHh5ehtx1rU8I6NWzveQXR.yahoo.invalid>wrote:

  > **
  >
  >
  > And where are the Bye-Laws from 1875 to be found on that page?
  >
  >
  > M. Sufilight
  >
  > ----- Original Message -----
  > From: MKR
  > To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
  > Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 6:39 PM
  > Subject: Re: theos-talk The original TS Bye-Laws - are gone bye bye?
  >
  > Please see the following:
  >
  > <http://teozofija.info/tsmembers/Rules_2007_E.htm>
  >
  > On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 10:47 AM, M. Sufilight
  > <global-theosophy@a8_ZAVh7D9XgtJ0LytY73Y7kXe0dTREbbBvVPhxd4xpoTscLMa0GQ0Z7Z6dyhdvRJMIHh5ehtx1rU8I6NWzveQXR.yahoo.invalid>wrote:
  >
  > > **
  >
  > >
  > >
  > > Dear MKR
  > >
  > > I did not find them there....Did I overlook them?
  > >
  > > In this link we find a part of the Bye-Laws and the Preamble to the
  > > Bye-Laws from 1875.
  > > But all the Bye-Laws from 1875...are they not online ???
  > > http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gfkforum/ourdir.htm
  > >
  > > __________________________
  > > I did however find the following...
  > >
  > > "When prophets die: the postcharismatic fate of new religious movements"
  > > By Timothy Miller - page 219:
  > > "15. Earlier Rules drawn up in 1879, just after the founders had come to
  > > India, stated that the president was under the autority of the Masters
  > who
  > > constituted the "First Section" of the Society. The Rules were revised in
  > > 1885 to drop the reference to the Masters. See "The Theosophical Society,
  > > or Universal Brotherhood, Principle, Rules, and Bye-Laws, as revised in
  > > General Counsil, at the meeting held at the Palace of H. H. maharajah of
  > > Vizianagram, Benares, 17th December, 1879)" in the Theosophist, 1 (April
  > > 1880): 179-180; Ransom, A Short History, 123, 229."
  > > http://books.google.com
  > >
  > > _______________________________________
  > > _______________________________________
  > >
  > > The THEOSOPHIST April, 1880, p. 179-180:
  > > THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, OR UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.
  > > "[Formed at New York, U. S. of America, October 30th, 1875.]
  > > Principles, Rules, and Bye-Laws, as revised in General Council, at the
  > > meeting held at the Palace of H. H. the Maharaja of Vizianagram, Benares,
  > > 17th, December, 1879."
  > > .......
  > > [For instance...: ]
  > > "VII. The President-Founder has authority to designate any Fellow of
  > > capacity and good repute to perform, pro tempore, the duties of any
  > office
  > > vacated by death or resignation, or whose incumbent may be obliged to
  > > absent himself for a time. He is also empowered and required to define
  > the
  > > duties of all officers, and assign specific responsibilities to Members
  > of
  > > the General Council, not in conflict with the general plans of the
  > Society.
  > > VIII. These plans are declared to be as follows: â
  > >
  > > (a)â To keep alive in man his spiritual intuitions. (b)â To oppose and
  > > counteract â after due investigation and proof of its irrational nature â
  > > bigotry in every form, whether as an intolerant religious sectarianism or
  > > belief in miracles or anything supernatural.
  > > (c)â To promote a feeling of brotherhood among nations; and assist in the
  > > international exchange of useful arts and products, by advice,
  > information,
  > > and co-operation with all worthy individuals and associations; provided,
  > > however, that no benefit or percentage shall be taken by the Society for
  > > its corporate services.
  > > (d)â To seek to obtain knowledge of all the laws of Nature, and aid in
  > > diffusing it; and especially to encourage the study of those laws least
  > > understood by modern people, and so termed the Occult Sciences. Popular
  > > superstition and folk-lore, however fantastical, when sifted, may lead to
  > > the discovery of long-lost but important secrets of Nature. The Society,
  > > therefore, aims to pursue this line of inquiry in the hope to widen the
  > > field of scientific and philosophical observation.
  > > (e)â To gather for the Society's library and put into written forms
  > > correct information upon the various ancient philosophies, traditions,
  > and
  > > legends, and, as the Council shall decide it permissible, disseminate the
  > > same in such practicable ways as the translation and publication of
  > > original works of value, and extracts from and commentaries upon the
  > same,
  > > or the oral instructions of persons learned in their respective
  > > departments. (f)â To promote in every practicable way, in countries where
  > > needed, the spread of non-sectarian education. (g)â Finally, and chiefly,
  > > to encourage and assist individual Fellows in self-improvement,
  > > intellectual, moral, and spiritual. But no Fellow shall put to his
  > selfish
  > > use any knowledge communicated to him by any member of the First Section;
  > > violation of this rule being punished by expulsion. And before any such
  > > knowledge can be imparted, the person shall bind himself by a solemn oath
  > > not to use, it to selfish purposes, nor to reveal it, except with the
  > > permission of the teacher."
  > > .......
  > > "XI. The Society consists of three sections. The highest or First Section
  > > is composed exclusively of proficients or initiates in Esoteric Science
  > and
  > > Philosophy, who take a deep interest in the Society's affairs and
  > instruct
  > > the President-Founder how best to regulate them, but whom none but such
  > as
  > > they voluntarily communicate with have the right to know.
  > >
  > > The Second Section embraces such Theosophists as have proved by their
  > > fidelity, zeal, and courage, and their devotion to the Society, that they
  > > have become able to regard all men as equally their brothers,
  > irrespective
  > > of caste, colour, race, or creed; and who are ready to defend the life or
  > > honour of a brother Theosophist even at the risk of their own lives.
  > >
  > > The administration of the superior Sections need not be dealt with at
  > > present in a code of rules laid before the public. No responsibilities,
  > > connected with these superior grades, are incurred by persons who merely
  > > desire ordinary membership of the third class.
  > >
  > > The Third is the Section of Probationers. All new Fellows are on
  > > probation, until their purpose to remain in the Society has become fixed,
  > > their usefulness shown, and their ability to conquer evil habits and
  > > unwarranted prejudices demonstrated.
  > >
  > > Advancement from Section to Section depends upon merit only. Until a
  > > Fellow reaches the first degree of the Second Section, his Fellowship
  > gives
  > > him but the following rights â (1) to attend the Society's meetings, (2)
  > > access only to printed matter, such as books and pamphlets of the
  > Society's
  > > Library, (3) protection and support by the President and Council in case
  > of
  > > need and according to personal merit, (4) instruction and enlightenment,
  > > upon what he reads and studies, by Fellows of the Second Section; and
  > this
  > > whether he remains at home or goes abroad and wherever he finds a Branch
  > of
  > > the Theosophical Society: every Fellow being obliged to help the others
  > as
  > > much as the circumstances, in which he is placed, will allow."
  > > .......
  > > "The Society repudiates all interference on its behalf with the
  > > Governmental relations of any nation or community, confining its
  > attention
  > > exclusively to the matters set forth in the present document, and hoping
  > > thus to enjoy the confidence and aid of all good men."
  > > .......
  > > "Revised and ratified by the Society, at Bombay, February the 26th, and
  > > 28th, 1880.
  > > ATTEST â KHARSEDJI N. SEERVAI,
  > > Joint Recording Secretary."
  > > .....
  > > [Followed by a note...:]
  > > "THE ADDRESS BY".......
  > > http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/theosoph/theos7a.htm
  > >
  > >
  > http://www.theosopher.net/dzyan/theosophist/theosophist_v1_n7_april_1880.pdf(Scanned
  > copy)
  >
  > >
  > > THE SO-CALLED THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY AT GHAZIPORE
  > > (The non-existent Society at Ghazipore.......Could be compared to present
  > > day attempts of various "copy"-versions...)
  > > http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v4/y1882_092.htm
  > >
  > > "The Seven Principles of the Movement" by Carlos Cardoso Aveline
  > > (With some views on the Bye-laws given in 1879-1880...)
  > > http://www.theosophyonline.com/ler.php?id=110#.T1Y1PFErjEw
  > >
  > > _________________________
  > >
  > > The we find an interesting article here on the Theosophical Society and
  > > the organic development of its structure ......
  > > Something like this is not being talked about the modern day theosophical
  > > magazines...We can only wonder why....?
  > >
  > > The Theosophist October 1888 to April 1889
  > > By H. P. Blavatsky - Page 301-307 --- especially page 304 on how the
  > three
  > > or more main Obejcts first came to light.
  > > "(a) To keep alive in man his belief that he has a soul, and the universe
  > > a Gud.
  > > (b) To oppose and counteract bigotry in every form, whether as an
  > > intolerant religious sectarianisme, or belief in miracles, or anything
  > > supernatural."
  > > .......
  > > "(f) To promote in every practicable wat, in countries where needed, the
  > > spread of non-sectarian western education."
  > > http://books.google.com
  > >
  > > That is clearly to say...: Non-sectarian education.
  > > And I add: And therefore also in Adyar today, I hope...
  > >
  > > ________________
  > >
  > > So one more time we have...
  > >
  > > H. P. Blavatsky wrote very interestingly about the Theosophical Society:
  > > "The chief aim of the Founder of the Eclectic Theosophical School was one
  > > of the three objects of its modern successor, the Theosophical Society,
  > > namely, to reconcile all religions, sects and nations under a common
  > system
  > > of ethics, based on eternal verities." (p. 3-4, 2nd ed., 1890)
  > > http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/aKEY.htm
  > > (That is - reconcile - ALL SECTS - and therefore TODAY also ALL
  > > THEOSOPHICAL GROUPS, ORGANISATIONS AND OFFSHOOTS THEREOF. - Do you not
  > > agree my dear readers??? --- And to all readers: And what have you my
  > dear
  > > altruistic friends done on this lately - while promotiong altruism? ---
  > - I
  > > can hear the answer: Silence...silence and almost a contempt for the
  > truth
  > > and compassion in these very logical words and questions.)
  > >
  > > So I ask in the name of ALTRUISM and from all of my Heart:
  > > So why do we have the various theosophical groups and organisations like
  > > the ULT's, Pasadena TS, Adyar TS, and all the rest?
  > > What are they good for if they cannot join hands in the name of
  > > altruism??? Why not at least be affilliated to each other if you claim
  > the
  > > same original program and Bye-Laws - ie. centrally speaking and in
  > essence?
  > >
  > > M. Sufilight
  > >
  > >
  > > ----- Original Message -----
  > > From: MKR
  > > To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
  > > Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:16 PM
  > > Subject: Re: theos-talk The original TS Bye-Laws - are gone bye bye?
  > >
  > > I think they are at teozofija.info in the members section. Have you
  > looked
  > > at the site?
  > >
  > > On Sun, Mar 4, 2012 at 11:49 AM, M. Sufilight
  > > <global-theosophy@a8_ZAVh7D9XgtJ0LytY73Y7kXe0dTREbbBvVPhxd4xpoTscLMa0GQ0Z7Z6dyhdvRJMIHh5ehtx1rU8I6NWzveQXR.yahoo.invalid>wrote:
  > >
  > > > Dear friends
  > > >
  > > > Sometimes I wonder...
  > > >
  > > > Preamble of the T.S.
  > > > Dated October 30, 1875; reprinted in The Theosophical Forum, September
  > > > 1947, pp. 515-18
  > > > http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gfkforum/ourdir.htm#Preamble
  > > >
  > > > But it is also known that there were som so/called Bye-Laws. Where are
  > > > those Bye-Laws today???
  > > > I have never seen them online.
  > > >
  > > >
  > > > H. P. Blavatsky wrote:
  > > > [A copy of the Preamble and By-Laws of The Theosophical Society is
  > pasted
  > > > in H.P.B.âs Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 77-79. On top of the first column,
  > > above
  > > > the title, H.P.B. wrote in blue pencil :]
  > > > The Child is
  > > > born!
  > > > Hosannah!
  > > > http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v1/y1875_031.htm
  > > >
  > > > Can we have these Bye-Laws online in PDF and HTML?
  > > >
  > > > Lack of emphasis on how the Theosophical Society originally operated,
  > > when
  > > > it was founded backed by the Masters, (if we should believe the words
  > by
  > > > Blavatsky) --- can not be healthy. Well, that seems logical.
  > > > (See The Original Programe here ---
  > > > http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v7/yxxxx_019.htm )
  > > >
  > > >
  > > > Anyone?
  > > >
  > > > Can we have these Bye-Laws online in PDF and HTML?
  > > >
  > > >
  > > >
  > > >
  > > > M. Sufilight
  > > >
  > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  > > >
  > > >
  > > >
  > > > ------------------------------------
  > > >
  > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
  > > >
  > > >
  > > >
  > > >
  > >
  > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  > >
  > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  > >
  > >
  > >
  >
  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  >
  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  >
  > 
  >

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



  

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]