David Reigle

Theosophist, scholar of Sanskrit and Tibetan texts. Bio: David Reigle. See: Eastern Tradition Research Archive and Prajnaquest.

Dolpopa on svabhāva

Article/ by David Reigle, Prajna Quest (website), November, 2018

Dolpopa, the major writer of the Jonang order of Tibetan Buddhism, taught that ultimate reality, referred to by him under various names, is “empty of… Read More »Dolpopa on svabhāva

Summary of Recent Developments in Regards to Samkhya Texts

Article/ by David Reigle, Theosophy Nexus, September, 2013

In Indian tradition, Sāṃkhya is regarded as the oldest philosophical system, and its founder, Kapila, is regarded as the first knower (ādi-vidvān). Yet, by the… Read More »Summary of Recent Developments in Regards to Samkhya Texts

“The One Form of Existence”: prabhavāpyaya in the Original Purāṇa-saṃhitā

Article/ by David Reigle, Prajna Quest (website), January, 2013

“Book of Dzyan,” stanza 1, verse 8, is given by H. P. Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine (vol. 1, p. 46) as: “8. Alone, the one… Read More »“The One Form of Existence”: prabhavāpyaya in the Original Purāṇa-saṃhitā

Creation Stories: The Cosmogony Account from the Purāṇas

Article/ by David Reigle, Prajna Quest (website), August, 2012

Part 1. On the Original Purāṇa-saṃhitā The first place that one would look when seeking knowledge of cosmogony from Indian sources is the purāṇas. The… Read More »Creation Stories: The Cosmogony Account from the Purāṇas

A Svābhāvika School of Buddhism?

Article/ by David Reigle, Prajna Quest (website), March, 2012 [Serialized]

Part 1 As already discussed here, the alleged Svābhāvika school of Buddhism in Nepal that is spoken of in many books on Buddhism, and also… Read More »A Svābhāvika School of Buddhism?

Prehistoric Svabhāvavāda

Article/ by David Reigle, Prajna Quest (website), February, 2012 [Serialized]

Part 1 Svabhāvavāda, the doctrine of svabhāva or inherent nature, as the cause of the world, is old. It is referred to, for example, in… Read More »Prehistoric Svabhāvavāda

Tsongkhapa and the Teachings of the Wisdom Tradition

Article/ by David Reigle, April, 2008

Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was the founder of the Gelugpa or “Yellow Hat” order of Tibetan Buddhism. This soon became the dominant order in Tibet, making Tsongkhapa… Read More »Tsongkhapa and the Teachings of the Wisdom Tradition

The Doctrinal Position of the Wisdom Tradition: Great Madhyamaka

Article/ by David Reigle, April, 2008 [

It has now become possible to identify the specific school or tradition of Buddhism in Tibet that represents the doctrinal position of the Wisdom Tradition… Read More »The Doctrinal Position of the Wisdom Tradition: Great Madhyamaka

The First Fundamental Proposition of the Secret Doctrine

Article/ by David Reigle, 2004 [Revised, December, 2010] [Originally Published in Keeping the Link Unbroken: Theosophical Studies presented to Ted G. Davy on His Seventy-fifth Birthday.]

There are three fundamental propositions that we are told must be comprehended before we can understand the Secret Doctrine, the once universal Wisdom Tradition, now… Read More »The First Fundamental Proposition of the Secret Doctrine

God’s Arrival in India

Article/ by David Reigle, Fohat Magazine, Spring, 2003 & Summer 2003 [Revised May, 2015] [Serialized]

Ancient India is considered to be the spiritual motherland of our planet. According to The Secret Doctrine, it was the home of the once universal… Read More »God’s Arrival in India

The Original Śaṅkarācārya

Article/ by David Reigle, Fohat Magazine, Fall 2001 [Republished by Eastern Tradition Research Institute, 2004]

The once universal Wisdom Tradition, whose existence was made known to the modern world by H. P. Blavatsky, had been preserved for long ages in… Read More »The Original Śaṅkarācārya

Sāṃkhya and the Wisdom-Religion

Article/ by David Reigle, Fohat Magazine, (2000, 2015)

The existence of the once universal Wisdom-Religion was made known to the modern world by H. P. Blavatsky, who called its modern form Theosophy. She… Read More »Sāṃkhya and the Wisdom-Religion

Theosophy and Buddhism

Article/ by David Reigle, Fohat Magazine, Spring, 2000

Theosophy is the modern name given by H. P. Blavatsky towhat is described by her as the once universal but now hiddenWisdom-Religion, the parent source… Read More »Theosophy and Buddhism

Why Take Blavatsky Seriously?

Article/ by David Reigle, 1999 [Revised, June, 2011] [Originally Published in Blavatsky’s Secret Books: Twenty Years’ Research]

Scholars have not heretofore taken Blavatsky seriously, because it is generally accepted that she was proven to be a fraud. There was therefore no reason… Read More »Why Take Blavatsky Seriously?

The Voice of the Silence: Bringing the Heart Doctrine to the West

Article/ by David Reigle, July, 1998 [Originally Published in The Works and Influence of H. P. Blavatsky: Conference Papers, Edmonton, 1999, pp. 106-112.]

Among the many works that Madame Blavatsky brought before the public, The Voice of the Silence was unique in its appeal to the heart and… Read More »The Voice of the Silence: Bringing the Heart Doctrine to the West

The Secret Doctrine: Original Genesis and the Wisdom Tradition

Article/ by David Reigle, July, 1998 [Originally Published in The Works and Influence of H. P. Blavatsky: Conference Papers, Edmonton, 1999, pp. 9-17.]

The Secret Doctrine is recognized by all as H. P. Blavatsky’s greatest and most influential work. At the same time, it is generally regarded as… Read More »The Secret Doctrine: Original Genesis and the Wisdom Tradition

Meditation: What Is It?

Article/ by David Reigle, The High Country Theosophist, November, 1997

Today there is a lot of material available on meditation, much of which is seemingly conflicting. One feels at a loss to try and sort… Read More »Meditation: What Is It?

Book of Dzyan Research Report: The Doctrine of Svabhāva or Svabhāvatā and the Questions of Anātman and Śūnyatā

Article/ by David Reigle, June, 1997 [Revised, 1999] [Originally published as a booklet by Eastern School Press; republished in Blavatsky’s Secret Books: Twenty Years’ Research]

The doctrine of svabhava or svabhavata, as was discussed in the previous Book of Dzyan Research Report, “Technical Terms in Stanza II,” is a fundamental… Read More »Book of Dzyan Research Report: The Doctrine of Svabhāva or Svabhāvatā and the Questions of Anātman and Śūnyatā