Re: theos-talk TS and Views of Chohan
Sep 01, 2012 11:08 PM
by M. Sufilight
A few views...
The Masters was never made an article of Faith (and neither the Mahatma letters) within the Theosophical Society were they?
The original letter is missing today. Only copies are available.
Was it written in 1881 or 1886? (Blavatsky wrote 1886 in her Scrap Book, did she not?)
And since the famous Shannon Letter (link given below) to Olcott by the one named Master KH says that no letters was given in the period 1885-1888, except to HPB, I wonder what to make of it?
(The Chohan Letter in mention was for some reason not included in A. T. Barker's well-known book on Mahatma Letters, and we wonder why. Was it, for certain reasons, originally on the hot - no-no list so not to be published?)
A short comment: If I did no know better I would by a careful reading of the letter say that it was written (dictated? to a Chohan?) by a (too exoteric) Buddhist - chela or not - (saying in the letter: "This is why even exoteric Buddhism is the surest path to lead men towards the one esoteric truth.") who aught to have known better than this and such use of words...depsite this, much of the content of the letter in many respects are valuable ethically speaking. Well as I see it. This is my own view on the matter, seeking an objective stance, and not a fanatical one.
Pedro Oliveira wrote a bit about this letter in 2006, -- and interesting words:
"To many students the above views are incompatible and mutually exclusive and they hold the HPB/Mahatmaâs view on the subject as the only true one. While they are entitled to do this, one of the dangers of such a stance is that diversity of views may be annulled and a de facto creed be formed. The contradiction â there are no official creeds in the TS â is compounded when we consider that the Maha-Chohan, whom the Mahatmas considered as their Master, does not deny the idea of God:
>"Mystical Christianity, that is to say that Christianity which teaches self-redemption through our own seventh principle â this liberated Para-Atma (Augoeides) called by some Christ, by others Buddha, and equivalent to regeneration or rebirth in spirit â will be found just the same truth as the Nirvana of Buddhism. All of us have to get rid of our own Ego, the illusory apparent self, to recognize our true self in a transcendental divine life. But if we would not be selfish, we must strive to make other people see that truth, to recognize the reality of that transcendental self, the Buddha, the Christ or God of every preacher."<
http://www.austheos.org.au/tsia-article-which-theosophy.html
(The last paragraph is from the claimed Maha-Chohan letter.)
Here is the Maha-Chohan letter, so-called, given with extra comments by Jinarajadasa:
"The Theosophical Society and Its Work
>From the Maha-Chohan
To A.P. Sinnett
C. Jinararajadasa (compiler)
Letters From the Masters of the Wisdom, First Series
(Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1919)
--Letter 1--"
.......
An excerpt of the comments:
"In the final paragraph, where Mr C. Jinarajadasa gives the date as 1880 (1881), the
cutting distinctly gives the date as 1886. The two versions are practically the same
except for a few minor differences in punctuation and words, but the American paper
omit the references to âChristian missionariesâ, to A.P.S., the Eclectic Society and Mr
Hume, and to India."
(A short comment by me: Jinararajadasa's comments on Hume and the Indian National Congress - I oppose as something not so good. Politics (and here National Politics, not global) can never become something promulgated by a true seeker after truth and compassion. Well, as I see it.)
http://www.alpheus.org/html/source_materials/theosophy/MahaChohanLetter.pdf
(Why did the American paper omit some of the conent?)
____________
THE SHANNON LETTER - 1888:
Here are some of the central passages in the Shannon letter by the one named Master KH:
" . . . we employ agents â the best available. Of these for the past thirty years the chief has been the personality known as H.P.B. to the world (but otherwise to us)"......"Since 1885 I have not written, nor caused to be written save throâ her agency, direct and remote, a letter or line to anybody in Europe or America, nor communicated orally with, or throâ any third party. Theosophists should learn it. You will understand later the significance of this declaration so keep it in mind. Her fidelity to our work being constant, and her sufferings having come upon her throâ it, neither I nor either of my Brother associates will desert or supplant her. . . . This you must tell to all: â With occult matters she has everything to do. . . . She is our direct agent. . . . "
(Letters from the Masters of Wisdom, Series 1, Letter 19. Italics added.)
http://blavatskyarchives.com/latermessengers.htm
http://theosophy.org/Judge/Articles/word-on-the-secret-doctrine.htm
Some words from the direct Agent follows...
BLAVAT`SKY - CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECT AGENT:
The Co-Founder H. P. Blavatsky in her article named: PHILOSOPHERS AND PHILOSOPHICULES (by HPB, 1889 in Lucifer Magazine --- --- ) wrote:
"In the published Constitution and Rules great stress is laid upon the ABSOLUTELY NON-SECTARIAN character of the Society. It is constantly insisted upon that it has no creed, no philosophy, no religion, no dogmas, and even no special views of its own to advocate, still less to impose on its members."....and much more...
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v11/y1889_060.htm (caps added.)
Also the [âORIGINAL PROGRAMMEâ MANUSCRIPT] (1886)
".....Spiritual sects were shown as the future contrasts to our Society."
.......
"(1) The Founders had to exercise all their influence to oppose selfishness of any kind, by insisting upon sincere, fraternal feelings among the Membersâat least outwardly; working for it to bring about a spirit of unity and harmony, the great diversity of creeds notwithstanding; expecting and demanding from the Fellows, a great mutual toleration and charity for each otherâs shortcomings; mutual help in the research of truths in every domainâmoral or physicalâand even, in daily life. "
.......
"(2) They had to oppose in the strongest manner possible anything approaching dogmatic faith and fanaticismâbelief in the infallibility of the Masters, or even in the very existence of our invisible Teachers, having to be checked from the first. On the other hand, as a great respect for the private views and creeds of every member was demanded, any Fellow criticising the faith or belief of another Fellow, hurting his feelings, or showing a reprehensible self-assertion, unasked (mutual friendly advices were a duty unless declined)âsuch a member incurred expulsion. The greatest spirit of free research untrammelled by anyone or anything, had to be encouraged."
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v7/yxxxx_019.htm
Originally it was like this with regard to the Theosophical Society:
Theosophical Society is not Buddhism. It is not Hinduism. It is not Blavatskyism. It is NOT the essence of all religions in the world - formulated in a sectarian manner, while it is being delivered by a priesthood (self-elected?) of theosophical leaders on behalf of the Society, etc.etc. Because it and its administrative leaders has no creed or doctrine (special views) to forward and promulgate on behalf of the Society or themselves. Each inidividual (official, administrative leader, or oridinary member etc.) promulagte his or her own version of Theosophy (the search after the Truth about life based on altruism) to the best of his or her ability on behalf of himself or herself, --- not the opposite. No two persons think alike, and no two persons agree upon all and everything. (And I could add: Not even the Masters or angles, among themselves agree upon all and everything, --- those Master who by some is claimed to exist.)
These are merely my views...
M. Sufilight
----- Original Message -----
From: Ramanujachary nallanchakravarti
To: Theos-talk
Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2012 4:52 PM
Subject: theos-talk TS and Views of Chohan
Views of the
Chohan on the Theosophical Society
This is popularly known as Mahachohanâs Letter and appears in
Vol. 1 of the Text âLetters from the Masters of The Wisdomâ, also the
Chronological edition (p.477-480). Long historical introduction was provided by
Mr C Jinarajadasa. Generally understood as a vindication to the work of
Buddhism, the letter has certain pertinent points that are relevant any day.
A gist of the points made out can be said as below:
1.
âThe
Doctrine we promulgateâ is âthe only true oneâ. âIt will become ultimately triumphant
as every other truth. It is absolutely necessary to inculcate it gradually.â
2.
âWe
have to popularize a knowledge of theosophy. So that âour doctrines practically
react on the so-called moral code (ideas of truthfulness, purity, self-denial,
charity etc.).
3.
âThe
intellectual portion of mankindâ is drifting into two classes:
a)States of non-consciousness, utter
deformation of the intellectual principle.
b) Indulgence in its animal
propensities.
4.
âThe
TS was chosen as the corner-stone, the foundation of the future religions of humanity.âOnce
unfettered and delivered from their dead weight of dogmatic interpretations, personal
names, anthropomorphic conceptions and salaried priests, the fundamental
doctrines of all religions will be proved identical in their esoteric meaning.â
5.
âAll
of us have to get rid of our own ego, the illusory apparent self, to recognize
our true self in a transcendental divine life.â
6.
âTeach
the people to see that life on the earth, even the happiest, is but a burden
and an illusion, that it is but our own Karma, the cause producing the effect,
that is our own judge, our savior in future lives; and the great struggle for life will soon lose
its intensity.â
7.
âRather
perish the TS with both its hapless founders, than that we should permit it
(TS) to become no better than an academy of magic, a hall of occultism. We, the
devoted followers of that Spirit Incarnate of absolute self-sacrifice ---
should not allow the TS to represent the embodiment of selfishness, the
refuge of the few with no thought in them for the many. We, humble disciples of
perfect Lamas would not allow the TS to drop its noble title, that of
Brotherhood of Humanity, to become a simple school of psychology.â
8.
'To
be true, religion and philosophy must offer the solution of every problem. To these
there must be somewhere a consistent solution. If our doctrines prove their
competence to offer it, then the world will be quick to confess that
must be the true philosophy, the true religion, the true light, which gives truth
and nothing but truth.'
This is not exhaustive, obviously only illustrative, and one
will do well in going through the full text, its commentaries and besides apply
his/her own thought to the matter.
Dr N C Ramanujachary
Literature is for Portrayal of Philosophic Ideas.
Dr N C Ramanujachary(Srivirinchi)
Besant Gardens, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai 600 020
Phone: 044/24913584, Mobile: 9444963584
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