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Thoughts on Karma

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

Every day in life we see people overtaken by circumstances either good or bad and coming in blocks all at… Read More »Thoughts on Karma

The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac

Article/ by T. Subba Row with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, November, 1881

The division of the Zodiac into different signs dates from immemorial antiquity. It has acquired a world-wide celebrity and is… Read More »The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac

Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

Translation/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, June, 2016 [Last Updated: July 2, 2025]

Tao-teh-king (Chin.). Lit., “The Book of the Perfectibility of Nature” written by the great philosopher Lao-tze. It is a kind… Read More »Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

Details of Discipline

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1926

We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

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

Many students, in their search for light, find divers problems presented to them for solution; questions so puzzling from the… Read More »Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

A German Mystic’s Teachings

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, October, 1888

In the last three numbers of the Path we have given a story by the German Mystic Kernning of the… Read More »A German Mystic’s Teachings

The Adepts in America in 1776

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, October, 1883

The following suggestions and statements are made entirely upon the personal responsibility of the writer, and without the knowledge or… Read More »The Adepts in America in 1776

The Inner Constitution of Man

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

“We are such stuff as dreams are made of.“—Shakespeare “Have perseverance as one who doth for evermore endure, for thy… Read More »The Inner Constitution of Man

The Buddha’s Life

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), February, 1903

We first heard of Buddhism, it may almost be said, through the works of Brian Houghton Hodgson, and his explorations… Read More »The Buddha’s Life

Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1792 [Drawn from The Philosophical and Mathematical Commentaries of Proclus on the First Book of Euclid’s Elements etc.]

[Introduction] Marinus, the author of the ensuing life, was the disciple of Proclus, and his successor in the Athenian school.… Read More »Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”

The Dogma of the Virgin Birth

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1912

“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . .… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth

Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen

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

By “laymen,” in this case, we mean that class of society and humanity in general, who are not “orthodox spiritualists;”… Read More »Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen

Wise and Foolish Disciples

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1928

With the single exception, perhaps, of The Light of Asia, the popular narratives of the Buddha’s life surround the great… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples

The Akhund of Swat

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Echo, May, 1878 [See Note 1]

Madame Blavatsky’s Dramatic Word-Painting and Graphic Description of Abdul Ghafur’s Remarkable And Eventful Career—Antagonism of the Sikhs to the Modern… Read More »The Akhund of Swat

Devachan

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

A letter to the editor from Holland upon this subject deserves reply, as is must give utterance to the questions… Read More »Devachan

The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary

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

In Light (of February 11) “C. C. M.,” in the article “Communicating Spirits,” says the following:— “It will thus be… Read More »The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary

Authorship of Secret Doctrine

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1893

A good deal has been said about the writing of Isis Unveiled, and later of the Secret Doctrine, both by… Read More »Authorship of Secret Doctrine

A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, 1787 [From the introduction to the Hymns of Orpheus, 1st Edition]

Section I The great obscurity and uncertainty in which the history of Orpheus is involved, affords very little matter for… Read More »A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

A Land of Mystery

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, April, June, August, 1880 [Serialized]

[I] Whether one surveys the imposing ruins of Memphis or Palmyra; stands at the foot of the great pyramid of… Read More »A Land of Mystery

Death and Immortality

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

Letter by N.D.K. | Reply by H.P.B. [Note: it is quite possible that this reply to N.D.K. was authored by… Read More »Death and Immortality

A Drama of the Great Initiation

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1919

Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound was completed, so far as the essential part of it is concerned, on April 6, 1819—that is,… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation

Proclus, The Elements of Theology

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Proclus: On the Theology of Plato, 1816

Foreword This admirable work contains two hundred and eleven propositions, disposed in a scientific order, and supported by the firmest… Read More »Proclus, The Elements of Theology

William Quan Judge

Article/ by Julia Keightley, The Irish Theosophist, February, March, May & June, 1896 [Serialized]

There are events common to human life, events small and inconsiderable in seeming, which, in their ulterior development and under… Read More »William Quan Judge

Buddhist Morals

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

In a recent issue of the China Mail appears an account of the destruction of the “Temple of Longevity,” one… Read More »Buddhist Morals

An Old Book and a New One

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1879

The nineteenth century is the century of struggle and strife, par excellence; of religious, political, social, and philosophical conflict. The… Read More »An Old Book and a New One

Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, October, 1896

[Translation] That sun is honey for the bright powers; the heaven is the curved support of it; the mid-world is… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)

Hit the Mark

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

“Having taken the bow, the great weapon, let him place on it the arrow, sharpened by devotion. Then, having drawn… Read More »Hit the Mark

Spiritual Progress

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1885

Christina Rossetti’s well-known lines: “Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Does the journey… Read More »Spiritual Progress

Lamas And Druses

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

Mr. L. Oliphant’s new work “Land of Gilead” attracts considerable attention. Reviews appeared some time since, but we had to… Read More »Lamas And Druses

Wart-Charming

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

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an article by Frederick Helmone With reference to the following correspondence which appeared in Knowledge, dated… Read More »Wart-Charming

A Bengal Bazaar

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September-October, 1902 [Serialized]

India is a ruin, beautiful only by moonlight; and, like a ruined temple, old India’s beauties dwell no longer in… Read More »A Bengal Bazaar

Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April-October, 1888 [Serialized]

The Kali Yuga—The Present Age Student.—I am very much puzzled about the present age. Some theosophists seem to abhor it… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]

Two Theosophical Events

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1892

A Libel Retracted 1 September, 1892, will stand as a red letter month in our history. Two events of importance… Read More »Two Theosophical Events

The Nativity of Buddha

Article/Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), July, 1902

I feel more convinced than ever that Ashva Ghosha’s Sanskrit Life of Buddha will be the Life of Buddha which… Read More »The Nativity of Buddha

Huxley and Slade: Who is More Guilty of “False Pretences”?

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

To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Sir—As I see the issue that has been raised by Dr. Hallock with… Read More »Huxley and Slade: Who is More Guilty of “False Pretences”?

Glamour

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1893

The word “glamour” was long ago defined in old dictionaries as “witchery or a charm on the eyes, making them… Read More »Glamour

Theosophy and Religious Riots

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

Some far-sighted and promising correspondent, anxious to penetrate the mystery of the recent Kotahena riot between the Buddhists and the… Read More »Theosophy and Religious Riots

Rig-Veda on Gambling

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1893

The following excellent remarks are probably the oldest in the world upon the vice of gambling. They are found in… Read More »Rig-Veda on Gambling

Introduction to the Dream of Ravan

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, November, 2013

In the caves of Eastern Sibyl,1 what curious leaves lie hidden, or go whirling in the wind! written over with… Read More »Introduction to the Dream of Ravan

The Number Seven

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

A deep significance was attached to numbers in hoary antiquity. There was not a people with anything like philosophy, but… Read More »The Number Seven

Points of Agreement in All Religions

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1894

[Note:] The Midwinter Fair at San Francisco had annexed to it a Religious parliament modeled after the first great one… Read More »Points of Agreement in All Religions

The Ashes of H.P.B.

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1892 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Three Parts: Aug., 1892, Jan. & May 1893] [Aug, 1892] A permanent Headquarters building for the American Section being now… Read More »The Ashes of H.P.B.

Emerson and Occult Laws

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

“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws

The Culture-Language of the Future

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, December, 1897 [Reprinted from the Madras Mail]

It has often seemed to me that even the best Sanskrit scholars in Europe and America alike have no very… Read More »The Culture-Language of the Future

The Religion of Chaldea

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

The land long known as Chaldea, wherein many nations successively grew and ruled, bears striking resemblances to the land of… Read More »The Religion of Chaldea

“Emerson and Occultism.”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1887

“’Tis thus at the roaring Loom of Time I ply, And weave for God the garment thou seest Him by.”… Read More »“Emerson and Occultism.”

The Tide of Life

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April-May, 1888 [Serialized]

I. “Our souls have sight of that immortal sea which brought us hither; Can in a moment travel thither— And… Read More »The Tide of Life

Louis Claude de Saint-Martin

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, September, 1938 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

The little town of Amboise in Touraine is redolent with memories. There, in the fourth century, Saint Martin, patron of… Read More »Louis Claude de Saint-Martin

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