The Theosophical Library

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The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

Article/Commentary/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, July-August, 1886 [Serialized]

The interesting story published under the above title has already attracted considerable attention. It is instructive in more ways than… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

About Killing Animals

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1892

A correspondent asks: “Will you kindly explain why, if you think it wrong to kill a water bug, that you… Read More »About Killing Animals

Russian Superstitions

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1880

In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then… Read More »Russian Superstitions

Are Chelas Mediums?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1884

According to the newest edition of the “Imperial Dictionary,” by John Ogilvie, L. L. D., “A medium is a person through whom… Read More »Are Chelas Mediums?

Moon’s Mystery and Fate

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, June, 1894

Probably no heavenly body has received as much attention from men in all ages as our moon. Many causes contributed… Read More »Moon’s Mystery and Fate

Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, February, 1897

[Translation] Janashruti, the grandson of Janashruta, was full of faith, a giver of many gifts, bestowing much cooked food. He… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Mesmerism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, May, 1892

This is the name given to an art, or the exhibition of a power to act upon others and the… Read More »Mesmerism

[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

Article Selections by Vishnu Bawa’s “True Religion Defined” | Notes by H.P.B. What is dharma, or that which is popularly interpreted… Read More »[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

Madame Blavatsky Protests

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, April, 1877

To the Editor of The World: Sir—There was a time when the geocentric theory was universally accepted by Christian nations, and… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Protests

Diagnoses and Palliatives

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1890

“That the world is in such bad condition morally, is conclusive evidence that none of its religions and philosophies, those… Read More »Diagnoses and Palliatives

Suicide is Not Death

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, New York World, August, 1894 [Re-printed in The Lamp, September, 1894]

As a student of Theosophy and human nature I have been interested in the discussion of the subject of self-murder… Read More »Suicide is Not Death

“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, August, 1888

The events which preceded the formation of the Roman Empire, just before the beginning of our era, furnish an analogy… Read More »“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast

Buddha’s Renunciation

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophy, August-September, 1897; concluded in Universal Brotherhood, November, 1897 [Serialized]

[Introduction] It is not quite certain when the poem, from which is taken this story of The Great Renunciation, was… Read More »Buddha’s Renunciation

[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

“The Latest Romance of Science,” summarized by a Frenchman. If the Atomo-mechanical Theory of the Universe has caused considerable embarrassment… Read More »[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, April, 1886

Jacob Boehme (or as some say Behmen) was a German mystic and spiritualist who began to write in the 17th… Read More »Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine

Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1883

Science in the face of her Parisian representatives was very much exercised, if not offended, lately, by what is viewed… Read More »Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

A Great Light Under a Bushel

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1880

If, according to the ironical definition of a French writer, language were not given to man “that he might the… Read More »A Great Light Under a Bushel

Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September, 1898

When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), August, 1881

Sir— “On the authority of an adept” (?) “they” (the Theosophists and Madame Blavatsky) “are all mediums under the influence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

Theosophy as a Cult in India

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Index, April, 1886 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Note: the following includes an initial article from April 1st and a follow-up article from June 3, 1886.] [April 1st,… Read More »Theosophy as a Cult in India

Devachan

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky with Franz Hartmann, , The Theosophist, May, 1883

Question by F. Hartmann | Reply by H.P.B. Will you kindly permit me a question? In Vol. IV, No. 2,… Read More »Devachan

Judges or Slanderers?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Le Lotus, June, 1887 [Translated from the original French by C. J. Ryan]

“. . . . . For our own part, we regard her (Madame Blavatsky) neither as the mouthpiece of hidden… Read More »Judges or Slanderers?

[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

Editorial/Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1881

Magna est veritas et prevalebit. The reality of the phenomena has prevailed, and the Church is now forced to seek… Read More »[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

A Review of The Secret Doctrine

Review/ by W. Q. Judge, The Sherman Democrat, February, 1889

The Secret Doctrine, by Blavatsky, is a work whose aim is stated as follows: “To show that Nature is not… Read More »A Review of The Secret Doctrine

Magic

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Deccan Star, March, 1879

In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya… Read More »Magic

Karma

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1886

The child is the father of the man, and none the less true is it: “My brothers! each man’s life… Read More »Karma

The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”

Article/Review/ by Damodar K. Mavalankar, The Theosophist, May, 1884

The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”

The Antiquity of Indian Writing

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1894 [Re-printed from the Madras Mail]

If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing

The Grand Inquisitor

Translation/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November-December, 1881 [Serialized]

[Dedicated by the Translator to those sceptics who clamour so loudly, both in print and private letters—“Show us the wonder-working… Read More »The Grand Inquisitor

Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1890

Ever since the publication of the Secret Doctrine Students of Theosophy (outside the inner ring of Occult Sciences) have complained… Read More »Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

Among the Celestials

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1926

We have been told that Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, born in the ancient city of… Read More »Among the Celestials

Chirognomy and Palmistry

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, December, 1884

Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry

Concerning Gods and Interviews

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, January, 1877

[Note: for the interview H.P.B. refers to in this letter, see “A Coming Buddhist Book”] To the Editor of The World:… Read More »Concerning Gods and Interviews

The Number Seven and Our Society

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1880

The thoughtful reader must have pondered well over the mysterious import that the number Seven seems to have always had… Read More »The Number Seven and Our Society

Arjuna’s Beliefs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), November, 1902

In Vedic India there were two quite distinct beliefs as to death and the soul’s future destiny; the one belief… Read More »Arjuna’s Beliefs

The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, February, 1884

The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

Article/Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1893

I find on p. 92 of Vol. II, Secret Doctrine, the heart of man described as consisting of four lower… Read More »The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

[Notes on Symbolism in Selections by Eliphas Levi]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1882

Selections from Eliphas Levi’s “Dogme de la Haute Magie” | Notes by H.P.B. Gleanings from Eliphas Levi1 Extracts from the… Read More »[Notes on Symbolism in Selections by Eliphas Levi]

“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1891

In the Key to Theosophy, on page 161, the author uses a phrase which has been objected to on the… Read More »“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”

Materialism and its Lessons

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1883

Quotation from Prof. Maudsley | Note by H.P.B. “Disclosing to man the stern and uniform reign of law in nature,… Read More »Materialism and its Lessons

The Speech of the Gods

Article/ by Charles Johnston with George W. Russell, , The Theosophist, December, 1887

The Theosophical doctrine, while endorsing many of the views of the Darwinian system of evolution, has so supplemented that doctrine… Read More »The Speech of the Gods

Hazy Notions

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1881

Enter Ghost. Hamlet: . . . . . . “Ministers of grace, defend us! Be thou a spirit of health,… Read More »Hazy Notions

Prakriti and Purusha

Article/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, July, 1883

The editorial at the head of the article that precedes will explain to the learned Hermit of Almora and the… Read More »Prakriti and Purusha

Some Parables of the Buddha

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1931

It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha

Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

The Asiatic nations have often been accused of holding obstinately to their old routine and customs, and of being the… Read More »Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, December, 1892

In the introduction to the Secret Doctrine, H. P. Blavatsky boldly affirms the existence of a great Fraternity of Men,… Read More »Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky

[Notes on Spiritual Death and the Descent of Spirit into Matter]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1884

Article Selections from “Magicon…” | Notes by H.P.B. A stupendous revolution in the realm of spirit caused the source of… Read More »[Notes on Spiritual Death and the Descent of Spirit into Matter]

Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)

Translation/ by H. P. Blavatsky, 1877 [Originally published in Isis Unveiled 1:507.]

Tradition declares that on the dead body of Hermes, at Hebron, was found by an Isarim, an initiate, the tablet… Read More »Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)

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