The Theosophical Library

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The Leaven of Theosophy

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1881

Those of us whose duty it is to watch the Theosophical movement and aid its progress can afford to be… Read More »The Leaven of Theosophy

New York Buddhists

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1881

About two years ago, the question of Buddhism was greatly discussed in the American, especially the New York, papers. Many… Read More »New York Buddhists

On Argument

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophical News, July, 1897

I do not like arguments. They lead into endless labyrinths and convince no one. For conviction must come from the… Read More »On Argument

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

Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, October & December, 1879 [Serialized]

Article selections by the Swami | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: the following note by H.P.B. preceded the December, 1879 portion… Read More »Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”

Prince Talleyrand—Cagliostro

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, October, 1890

A good deal for and against Cagliostro has been said since the time when he disappeared from the scene, and… Read More »Prince Talleyrand—Cagliostro

[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]

The Religion of Ancient Egypt

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1906

Introductory We must study religions from within, not from without. If we ourselves genuinely believe in spiritual life and spiritual… Read More »The Religion of Ancient Egypt

A French View of Women’s Rights

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Pioneer, December, 1880

With a little book entitled “Les Femmes qui Tuent et les Femmes qui Votent”, Alexandre Dumas, fils, has just entered… Read More »A French View of Women’s Rights

The Races of Ancient India

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1895

Of the Brahmans, white is the color; of the Kshattriyas, red; of the Vaishyas, yellow is the color; of the… Read More »The Races of Ancient India

The Law of Analogy

Article/ by Sarah Corbett, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1893

Behold how like the moon reflected in the tranquil waves, Alaya is reflected by the small and by the great,… Read More »The Law of Analogy

Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins

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

Letter by Ramji Mall Pandit | Reply by H.P.B. I beg to call the attention of those who are interested… Read More »Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins

The Screen of Time

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, Theosophy, February, 1896

[Note: this was serialized in The Path, Feb.-Mar. and concluded in Theosophy, Apr., 1896] Forever hiding futurity, the Screen of… Read More »The Screen of Time

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

Thought Transference or Mind Reading

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

A writer in The Saturday Review, in 1882, said: “We had thought we had heard the last of thought reading.”… Read More »Thought Transference or Mind Reading

The Magnetic Chain

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, October, 1879

We have read with great interest the first number of a new French journal devoted to the science of Mesmerism,… Read More »The Magnetic Chain

Explanation Wanted

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1883 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

Question by “A Junior Student” | Reply by H.P.B. I shall feel highly obliged if you will kindly insert in… Read More »Explanation Wanted

[On the Death of Émile Littré]

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

The nefarious influence of the year 1881 is still asserting itself. The assassination of the President of the United States,… Read More »[On the Death of Émile Littré]

“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?”

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

A Human Storage Battery

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

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an letter by W. D. Tilden sharing an article from the Scientific American C. H.… Read More »A Human Storage Battery

A Roman Catholic Saint at Goa

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

St. Francis Xavier was a Roman Catholic priest. His sacred corpse is lodged at Gôa, and exposed every third or… Read More »A Roman Catholic Saint at Goa

Bright Spot of Light

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

MADAME,—In the last issue of your valuable journal, a member of the New York Theosophical Society seeks to be enlightened… Read More »Bright Spot of Light

H.P.B. at Enghien

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1891

In the spring of 1884, H.P.B. was staying in Rue Notre Dame des Champs, Paris, and in the house were… Read More »H.P.B. at Enghien

Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, November, 1894

[Translation] By whom commanded does the mind go forth? By whom compelled does the first life go forth? By whom… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)

The Path of Action

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1887

The Mohammedan teacher directs his disciples to tread carefully the razor’s edge between the good and the bad; only a… Read More »The Path of Action

Funeral Rites among Savage Races

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

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on a letter responding to previous remarks. In your note to the letter on “The Efficacy… Read More »Funeral Rites among Savage Races

Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1889

One of the questions which a Theosophist is apt to ask, and to ask with some earnestness and intensity is,… Read More »Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment

Occult Accoustics

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

Letter to the Editor, from “A” F.T.S. | Reply by H.P.B. In your instructive and interesting note to the article… Read More »Occult Accoustics

[Re-Union of the Arya Samaj and the Theosophical Society?]

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

Notice from the Indian Mirror | Note by H.P.B. Rai Bishen Lall, M.A., Pundit Gaindan Lall, B.A., and party deputed… Read More »[Re-Union of the Arya Samaj and the Theosophical Society?]

Religion and Reform from a Theosophical View-point

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Twentieth Century (Newspaper), March, 1891

Two great shadowy shapes remain fixed in the attention of the mind of the day, threatening to become in the… Read More »Religion and Reform from a Theosophical View-point

Reincarnation

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, The New Californian, November, 1891

Reincarnation is change. Whether in the domain of mind, of natural objects, or of human progress in civilization, the great… Read More »Reincarnation

On the Status of Jesus

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

Selections from a letter by a correspondent named Vera | Notes by H.P.B. Under the teachings of the beneficent and… Read More »On the Status of Jesus

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

Mediumship

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1887

There is no more misunderstood or misapplied word than “Medium.” Having been appropriated by the Spiritist, it is as a… Read More »Mediumship

Coming Events Foretold

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, July, 1882

When, in answer to a direct challenge, the author of The Occult World wrote to the Bombay Gazette (April 4,… Read More »Coming Events Foretold

Planetary Influences

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, January, 1921 [Posthumously Published]

The philosophy of Theosophy covers all things in manifestation and points out the relations of each thing to every other.… Read More »Planetary Influences

The Closing Cycle

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Irish Theosophist, January, 1893

In the November number the “expiring Cycle” is referred to by Mr. Sinnett, and members are rightly warned not to… Read More »The Closing Cycle

The Vow of Silence

Article/ by B. P. Wadia, Theosophy Magazine, April, 1924 [Reprinted in The Theosophical Movement, June, 1932]

One, if not the greatest, of evils by which modern society is corrupted, is that of gossip. Injurious speech, or… Read More »The Vow of Silence

Direful Prophecies

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

The whole mystic fraternity of Astrologers is now engaged in showing how the heavens portend great changes on this our… Read More »Direful Prophecies

Mistaken Notions

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

The Psychological Review, kindly taking notice of our misguided journal, has the following in its November number. “The present number… Read More »Mistaken Notions

The Serpent’s Blood

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, January, 1889

It was an old and magic island. Many centuries before, the great good Adepts had landed on its shores from… Read More »The Serpent’s Blood

Buddhism Before Buddha

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

Letter from “An Outsider” | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: for some background on what “An Outsider” is here referencing, see… Read More »Buddhism Before Buddha

The Russian Scientists

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Banner of Light, June, 1876

[Note: for some background, see “The Russian Investigation & “Psychophobia” in Russia”] Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light. New York, June 15th,… Read More »The Russian Scientists

A Word with the Theosophists

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

The following letters appeared recently in the Poona Observer. Were it not for a few flagrant misconceptions in letter the… Read More »A Word with the Theosophists

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

[Reply to:] “Madame Blavatsky”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), March, 1879

Sir,—If my memory has not altogether evaporated under the combined influences of this blazing Indian sun, and the frequent misconstructions… Read More »[Reply to:] “Madame Blavatsky”

Letter from India

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Ру́сский ве́стник (Russian Messenger), May, 1880 [Translated from the original Russian]

Poona, 18 February, 1880. Some twenty years ago, as a warning, there was exhibited in triumphant procession all over India,… Read More »Letter from India

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