The Theosophical Library

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Our Directives: A Study of the Evolution of the “Objects of the T.S.”—from 1875 to 1891

Article/ by Grace F. Knoche, The Theosophical Forum, October, 1947

Inspired by the conviction that the Theosophical Society was the inevitable outgrowth of the spiritual demands of the century, its… Read More »Our Directives: A Study of the Evolution of the “Objects of the T.S.”—from 1875 to 1891

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

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

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

Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)

Translation/ by Mohini M. Chatterji, The Theosophist, November, 1882 & December, 1883 [Serialized] [Reprinted in Five Years of Theosophy, 1885]

Introductory Note An apology is scarcely needed for undertaking a translation of Sankara Acharya’s celebrated Synopsis of Vedantism entitled “Atmanatma… Read More »Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)

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

Chhandogya Upanishad

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, October, 1925; January, April, July, October, 1926; July, October, 1928; January, April, July, October, 1929 [Serialized]

Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad

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

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

The Origin of Evil

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), February, 1878

Sir,—Permit an humble Theosophist to appear for the first time in your columns, to say a few words in defence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists

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

Blavatsky Still Lives

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, NY Times, January, 1889

The Very Latest News From the World of Occultism—Blavatsky and her Mahatmas Mr. W. Q. Judge, who is the head… Read More »Blavatsky Still Lives

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

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

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

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”?

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

The Missing Link

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

A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from… Read More »The Missing Link

The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, December, 1887; February, 1888 [Serialized]

Part I “. . . . Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of… Read More »The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

“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 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.

Exploring Isis Unveiled

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, October, 2016 to November, 2017 [Serialized] [Draft]

Volume 1 Part 1: Do flying guitars unconsciously cerebrate? Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled was tremendously well-received at the time, an instant… Read More »Exploring Isis Unveiled

Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)

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

[Translation] The divine Song, verily, is all their being, whatsoever there is; and the Word is the divine Song. The… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)

The Science of Magic

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, October, 1875

Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very… Read More »The Science of Magic

Iconoclasm Toward Illusions

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

A disposition not to interfere in any way with beliefs which are illusions prevails with many who dislike the pain… Read More »Iconoclasm Toward Illusions

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)

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

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

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

Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, May, 1891

In an interview with the celebrated Hungarian violinist, M. Remenyi, the Pall Mall Gazette reporter makes the artist narrate some very… Read More »Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty

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

Paul the Disciple

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1915; January, October, 1916 [Serialized]

[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his… Read More »Paul the Disciple

The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa

Article/ by Samantha Province, Theosophy Nexus, March-April, 2016

Tsongkhapa is an extremely significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His impact has been compared to that of Thomas Aquinas in… Read More »The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa

To the Spiritualists of Boston

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky with H. S. Olcott, , Spiritual Scientist, June, 1875

In a private letter received by me from A. N. Aksakoff, Counselor of State in the private Chancellery of the… Read More »To the Spiritualists of Boston

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 Coming of the Serpent

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1893

The white rays shed over all the Island when the Diamond on the mountain shot forth its last light continued… Read More »The Coming of the Serpent

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

Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1920

Let us come gradually to this knotty question, using a series of familiar references as stepping-stones. To begin with, readers… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”

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

Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1889

“Who is the God to whom we shall offer worship? He whose shadow is Immortality!”—Rig Veda. “The Egyptians are the… Read More »Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

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