Research: On the Etymology of Ah-hi
Ah-hi and Ahi in the Writings of Blavatsky (In Chronological Order) In Isis Unveiled (1877): Burnouf has endeavored to show that the Vedic myth of… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Ah-hi
Jon W. Fergus
Author, publisher. Manager of Kshetra Books, Editor of Universal Theosophy.
Kalahaṃsa in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky
The following is an examination of the use of the term “kalahamsa” in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky, with the purpose of highlighting and… Read More »Kalahaṃsa in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky
Research: the “Dzeno-doo” sect of “Tzi-onene”
The term “Dzenodoo” appears on page 173 of The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1. In the original 1888 edition: The seven “mysteries” are called by the… Read More »Research: the “Dzeno-doo” sect of “Tzi-onene”
Research: On the Etymology of Senzar
Senzar in the Writings of Blavatsky (In Chronological Order) Yes, the letter-tree of Tibet is a fact; and moreover, the inscriptions in its leaf-cells and… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Senzar
Research: On the Etymology of Lanoo
One of the more curious terms of unknown origin in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky, is “Lanoo,” a term used by her to indicate… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Lanoo
Research: Svabhavat in the Writings of H. P. Blavatsky
Abstract In the writings of H. P. Blavatsky (HPB), and in Theosophical literature in general, we find the use of a term “svabhavat” (given here… Read More »Research: Svabhavat in the Writings of H. P. Blavatsky
Research: On the Etymology of Fohat
Introduction “Fohat” is one of the more mysterious terms in modern theosophical literature. It was introduced by H. P. Blavatsky (HPB) in her book The… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Fohat
Research: On the Etymology of Dzyan
In The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, p. xx fn. H.P.B. gives an etymology of Dzyan thus: Indeed, the secret portions of the “Dan” or “Jan-na”* (“Dhyāna”) of Gautama’s… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Dzyan
The Stanzas of Dzyan: A “Critical Edition” based on Four Primary Sources
The Stanzas of Dzyan A “Critical Edition” of the English Translation by H. P. Blavatsky, based on Four Primary Sources,* Combined with Quotations Attributed to… Read More »The Stanzas of Dzyan: A “Critical Edition” based on Four Primary Sources
Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms
The following is some preliminary research into a few terms used by H. P. Blavatsky, which appear to be Chinese terms given in an archaic… Read More »Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms
Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)
Tao-teh-king (Chin.). Lit., “The Book of the Perfectibility of Nature” written by the great philosopher Lao-tze. It is a kind of cosmogony which contains all… Read More »Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)
The Meaning of “Tao”
This will be an exploration of the Chinese term Tao through a breakdown of the traditional Chinese characters. Tao is a mysterious term, translated and… Read More »The Meaning of “Tao”
The Abstract Algebraical Formula
The history of cosmic evolution, as traced in the Stanzas [of Dzyan], is, so to say, the abstract algebraical formula of that Evolution. Hence the… Read More »The Abstract Algebraical Formula
Tattvasamasa
Introduction: “On the Tattvasamāsa and its place in Sāṃkhya,” by Prof. Max Müller SANSKRIT TRANSLITERATION (IAST) TRANSLATION 1. aṣṭau prakṛtayaḥ || 1. Eight Natures (prakṛtis)… Read More »Tattvasamasa
Charles Johnston: A Biography
As one author notes, Charles Johnston “left us very little in the way of autobiography,—if biography still mean to us, as it had ceased to… Read More »Charles Johnston: A Biography
Buddha: The Life of Siddhartha Gautama
Over the centuries there have been numerous biographies of Gautama the Buddha in various formats, from the ancient traditional biographies, to epic poems like Sir Edwin Arnold’s Light of Asia, to articles, modern biographies and documentaries. Throughout all of these we find certain keynotes, certain events and ideas that form a basis for the life of Buddha, but we also find more fantastical aspects to the stories. Modern scholars tend to dismiss the latter as merely “mythological” or exaggerated, and they seek (and fail) to find the “real Buddha” by stripping these away. In the present biography, we will attempt to trace not only the historical basis for the life of the Buddha, but to unveil, as much as is possible, some of the symbolism involved in the traditional accounts. How far we are successful in so doing is left to the reader to decide.
Buddha and Ambapali
In the story of the Buddha’s final journey and Paranirvana, recorded beautifully in the Maha-parinibbana Sutta,1 we are confronted with a peculiarly interesting story: the… Read More »Buddha and Ambapali
Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
The following is not meant as an exhaustive treatise on Kamadeva, but rather as an outline of certain ideas, from which students may find starting-points… Read More »Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
Introduction to the Dream of Ravan
In the caves of Eastern Sibyl,1 what curious leaves lie hidden, or go whirling in the wind! written over with strange, hieroglyphic characters, not without… Read More »Introduction to the Dream of Ravan
Introduction to the Story of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur
The story of Theseus and the Minotaur is one of the finest examples of esoteric mythology from the annals of ancient Greece. The entire tale… Read More »Introduction to the Story of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur
Introduction to Sankhya
[Note: this article is a continuation of our biography of Kapila Rishi.] Part 1 As we found in our earlier article [see our biography of… Read More »Introduction to Sankhya
Kapila Rishi
At the outset it must be admitted that the composition of a historical biography of Rishi Kapila is, in our age, a near impossibility. As… Read More »Kapila Rishi
Sankaracharya
Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what has become known as Advaita… Read More »Sankaracharya
Nagarjuna
Often viewed as the greatest or most important philosopher of the Buddhists, 1 Nāgārjuna plays a central role in the transmission of Buddhist thought. H.P.… Read More »Nagarjuna
Aryasanga
Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what we will offer here is… Read More »Aryasanga
The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga
“Let us divide Meditation into two sorts. First is the meditation practiced at a set time, or an occasional one, whether by design or from… Read More »The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga
Patanjali
“About Patanjali’s life very little, if anything, can be said.” 1 A biography of Patanjali could almost begin and end with this simple statement. As… Read More »Patanjali
Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
For the first part of this article, see: “Patanjali.” While Patañjali is commonly referred to as the founder or father of the Yoga Darṣana (one… Read More »Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Introduction to the Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is today the second most widely translated book in human history. It forms the fundamental core of modern Taoist philosophy and… Read More »Introduction to the Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu (or Laozi), an honorific title meaning “Old Sage” or “Ancient Master,” is the name used to indicate the author of the famous Tao… Read More »Lao Tzu
Neptune and the Titius-Bode Law
One of the primary empirical evidences, in my view, of the scientific accuracy of the theosophical teachings related by HPB is the treatment of Neptune.… Read More »Neptune and the Titius-Bode Law
Apollonius of Tyana
Apollonius of Tyana is one of the most extraordinary exemplars in human history. What he shows us clearly is the living of the life, the… Read More »Apollonius of Tyana