Theos-Talk Archives (April 2012 Message tt00086)

Dear Theos-Talk Readers;
Â
I wish to supplement what has been described in the messages appended below.
Â
The book, "Abul Fazal and Akbar" by JinarÄjadÄsa, CuruppumullagÄ, 1875-1953 is an excellent example of theosophy in the Muslim period of Indian history. It is by a former President of the Theosophical Society. I have read in "The Lives of Alcyone" by Besant and Leadbeater that Abul FazlÂwas an earlier incarnation of Blavatsky.
Â
Jethmal Parsram Gulrajani (1885-1948)Âwas a well known writer of the Sindhi language in the last century. He was a TS member in Sindh, Pakistan, and migrated to Mumbai (Bomaby), India on the formation of Pakistan. He has written quite a few books in Sindhi. His book on Sufis of Sindh is in English and fits into the subject under discussion. It title is "Sind and its Sufis". It was published by Theosophical Publishing Hoise, Adyar, in 1924. In 1979, it was re-printed in Lahore, Pakistan.
Â
About what M. Sunglight says, I wish to supplement as follows by aquotation from a newspaper:
ÂFrom: http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/0521130a.htm - "The Hindu" of Friday, 21 st September 2001., Letters to the Editor. 
Sir, - The Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, has given a call to fight terrorism by issuing a full page advertisement on the various terrorist acts perpetrated in India. In this connection, I would like to quote philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurthi from his book titled ``The First and the Last Freedom'': ``What causes war is the desire for power, position, prestige, money; also the disease called nationalism, the worship of a flag; and the disease of organised religion, the worship of a dogma.'' C.S. Venkataraghavan, 
Chennai 
Â
Also another quotation from a newspaper, India West of October 7th, 2001.
Â
Tagore's Poem Rings True Today 
Dear Editor,
The great Indian poet/philosopher Rabindranath Tagore wrote a poem in Bengali in the 1920s at the height of the Hindu-Muslim communal riots and killings in Bengal, India. I would like to share this poem, as translated by Aurobindo Bose, with your readers. His words ring true in light of the recent tragic events of Sept. 11 (I-W, Sept. 14).



Those who in the name of Faith embrace illusion,

Kill and are killed.

Even the atheist gets God's blessings -

Does not boast of his religion;

With reverence he lights the lamp of Reason

And pays his homage not to scriptures,

But to the good in man.



The bigot insults his own religion

When he slays a man of another faith.

Conduct he judges not in the light of Reason;

In the temple he raises the blood-stained banner

And worships the devil in the name of God.



All that is shameful and barbarous through the Ages,

Has found a shelter in their temples

Those they turn into prisons;

O, I hear the trumpet call of Destruction!

Time comes with her great broom

Sweeping all refuse away.



That which should make man free,

They turn into fetters;

That which should unite,

They turn into a sword;

That which should bring love

>From the fountain of the Eternal,

They turn into prison

And with its waves they flood the world.

They try to cross the river

In a bark riddled with holes;

And yet, in their anguish, whom do they blame?



O Lord, breaking false religion, Save the blind!

Save the blind!

Break! O break!

The altar that is drowned in blood.

Let your thunder strike

Into the prison of false religion,

And bring to this unhappy land

The light of knowledge.

Dr. Ardeshir B. Damania
Davis, Calif.  
Â
I wish toÂadd that Tagore was associated with the TS in ways more than one. But this is a separate subject from the one under discussion.
Thanking you all,
Jayananda H. Hiranandani 
 
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________________________________
From: M. Sufilight <global-theosophy@_qYvw3Rzxb02vgqJLc-dJeqbUwCJy6ysK6X6Q0bEc_Yx_30nLNCfX-axGJ51d62nNKowTpOmhMu2i8eC7C2ZJ3_m-SY1Rg.yahoo.invalid>
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: theos-talk MOSLEM THEOSOPHISTS? -WHY NOT?


 
Dear William

My views are:

William you wrote:
"Theosophy does totally reject all forms of dogmatism, authoritarianism, and sectarian expression."

M. Sufilight asks:
I would like to know what you think...I ask: And are the theosophical organizations and related ones - in general - performing very well in this regard today - when one consider how the various journalists, average New Agers and scientists, historians and psychologist - view them?

M. Sufilight

----- Original Message ----- 
From: t_s_theosophist 
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:16 AM
Subject: theos-talk MOSLEM THEOSOPHISTS? -WHY NOT?

MOSLEM THEOSOPHISTS? - WHY NOT?

There is no reason that there should not be Moslem Theosophists. We only wish that there were more. Theosophy
welcomes those of ALL religious backgrounds or of none. Theosophy is the Universal Solvent which makes sense of the TRUE meaning of ALL religious traditions.

A True student of Theosophy is able to make sense of the different religious traditions and to see how they all fit into the universal plan
for the upliftmet of humanity.

While many who have embraced Theosophy feel they no longer have any need to identify with a particular religious tradition because of their Theosophical understandings, which is fine, there are others who still find meaning and comfort in a particular tradition, which is also fine.

Those who maintain identity with a particular religious tradition do so however from an enlightened Theosophical perspective which transcends the normative teaching of that particular tradition, and may be considered "hetrodox" by their non-theosophical orthodox co-religionists. ( and thats OK).

Because of their unique Theosophical perspectives, religious Theosophists often find themselves marginalized 
and "politely shunned" by the more 
conservative members of their particular religious tradition.
Because of this phenomena religious Theosophists often form specific groups of their own in which they can fellowship with others who share their outlook.

Theosophy is NOT Anti-Religious,
it has no argument against the True expression of religious sentiment
and divine aspiration. Theosophy does totally reject all forms of dogmatism, authoritarianism, and sectarian expression. The Masters of Wisdom, and Madamme Blavatsky were totally opposed to the sad state of religious expression that they found predominant at the time,
which distorted the true purpose of 
religion and made it a prison house instead of a gateway to Divinity.

A Theosophical understanding of the Religions provides a forum for the 
development of a Common Ground of 
Harmony among various religious expressions. This can lead to 
interfaith constructive dialogue and engagement. In fact, Theosophy is
the IDEAL venue for venturing into
Interfaith Dialogue and engagement
if we know how to approach this properly.

We know this as an actual fact because for the past 18 years members of Orlando Lodge have been actively engaged in the Interfaith Community of Central Florida, promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Constructive engagement among the various fatih traditions on a regular basis. 

In order to do these things productively, we ourselves must first be grounded in a thorough
understanding of the basics of Theosophy, and centered in the 
ideal of the ONE LIFE. N.Sri Rams
"Meditation on Life" is an ideal 
practice to develope this "centeredness."

There has been a lot of criticism over the years by non-religious Theosophists who do not really have
this transcendent understanding of Theosophy against such movments as 
The Liberal Catholic Church, The Bharat Samaj,The Co-Masonic Order,
and other Theosophically inspired
activities. These activities do NOT
promote the normative orthodox agendas of the various faiths, but are geared to instill a Theosophical perspective into the different traditions, motivated by our Theosophical Understanding of our Essential Unity.

Theosophy shows that the TRUE Teachings, (not the present distortions) of ALL the religious prophets and teachers are echoing
our understanding of The Ancient Wisdom. 

The "left-brained" intellectuals among us may have a difficult time 
appreciating this perspective, because it really requires a "right -brain" (buddhic) approach to comprehend its value.

Our challenge right now is to become
thoroughly familiar with the Basic Teachings of Theosophy, to become Centered In The Ideal of Unity, ( again, N. Sri Rams Meditation on Life is an ideal practice.)
And to seek out, and/or create venues for Interfaith engagement.

"The Higher Your Source of Illumination, The Smaller The Shadow You Cast." --N.Sri Ram

Fraternally;

William Delahunt

----------------------------
William Delahunt has been a member of The Society since 1969, and actively engaged in Theosophical Education since then.
He is a Past President of Orlando Lodge, and currently serves as its Secretary , and Director of The School of Theosophy, Orlando.
<http://www.tso-orlando.org>
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