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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)

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

Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men

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

When the great poet and writer, Coleridge, tried to establish his Watchman—a periodical in prose and verse, intended to advocate… Read More »Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men

Masons and Jesuits

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

Our Masonic readers, of whom very respectable numbers are scattered throughout India, ought to be on the lookout for recent… Read More »Masons and Jesuits

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

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.

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

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

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

The Sevenfold Division

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

MR. Sinnett’s book Esoteric Buddhism has done a great deal towards bringing before the West the Eastern philosophy regarding man… Read More »The Sevenfold Division

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

[Notes on “Three Unpublished Essays” by Éliphas Lévi]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April-May, 1884 [Serialized]

Essay Selections by Éliphas Lévi (translated from French) | Notes by H.P.B. The three Essays—the first of which is now given—belong… Read More »[Notes on “Three Unpublished Essays” by Éliphas Lévi]

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)

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1923

It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

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?

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

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

The Skin of the Earth

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

The cold materialism of the 19th century paralyzes sentiment and kills mysticism. Thus it commits a double crime, in robbing… Read More »The Skin of the Earth

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

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

Research: On the Etymology of Dzyan

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, January, 2020 [Last Updated: July 11, 2021]

In The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, p. xx fn. H.P.B. gives an etymology of Dzyan thus: Indeed, the secret portions… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Dzyan

Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

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

Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

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

Sankaracharya

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

Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what… Read More »Sankaracharya

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

The Five-Pointed Star

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

Of late numerous letters have been received in The THEOSOPHIST office concerning the efficacy of the mysterious Pentagram. Our Eastern… Read More »The Five-Pointed Star

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tales of the Ancient Rajputs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, October, 1888

There is an old tradition, so old that it has almost died from the memories of men, that veils eventful… Read More »Tales of the Ancient Rajputs

Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1820

Introduction Of that golden chain of philosophers, who, having themselves happily penetrated, luminously unfolded to others the profundities of the… Read More »Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato

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

Papyrus—The Gem

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1887

The roads were thronged with the people moving toward the great square, for it was a feast of the Goddess.… Read More »Papyrus—The Gem

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

Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, October-December, 1894; January-February, 1895 [Serialized]

Occult Teachings Student.—What is Occultism? Sage.—It is that branch of knowledge which shows the universe in the form of an… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]

The Symbolism of the Upanishads

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, January-March, 1894 [Serialized]

I. Students of the Oriental Theosophy, which finds its highest expression in the Ten Upanishads, are met at the outset… Read More »The Symbolism of the Upanishads

Isha Upanishad (By the Master)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, April, July, 1920 [Serialized]

By the Master all this is to be clothed and pervaded, whatever moves in this moving world. These words, like… Read More »Isha Upanishad (By the Master)

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

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

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