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Introduction to Sankhya

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, August-September, 2013 [Serialized] [Last Updated: August 25, 2020]

[Note: this article is a continuation of our biography of Kapila Rishi.] Part 1 As we found in our earlier… Read More »Introduction to Sankhya

Chinese Spirits

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, 1891 [Posthumously Published]

The following notes have been collected partly from an old work by a French missionary who lived in China for… Read More »Chinese Spirits

Building on Recollection

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

While the Suttas record instances in which the Buddha spoke eloquently to groups of villagers, to large numbers of men… Read More »Building on Recollection

A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining

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

“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining

The Message of India

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Metaphysical Magazine, July, 1895

“In the highest golden veil is the stainless, partless Eternal, the pure, the Light of lights, whom the Self-knowers know.… Read More »The Message of India

The Ensouled Violin

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1880 [Article was signed: By Hillarion Smerdis, F.T.S.¹]

The almost supernatural or magic art of Nicolo Paganini—the greatest violin player that the world has ever produced—was often speculated… Read More »The Ensouled Violin

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1916

It may, perhaps, be a cause of wonder that, at this late day, a subject so elementary is chosen, for… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Vedanta Philosophy

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Open Court, February, 1906

I. Two things seem to me to distinguish our philosophy in the West from the philosophy of India, especially in… Read More »The Vedanta Philosophy

Vicarious Atonement and Karma

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

Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma

Mesmerism and the Higher Self

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

Recently a book on the subject of the “Rationale of Mesmerism” having been published in London, written by Mr. A.… Read More »Mesmerism and the Higher Self

The School of Pythagoras at Crotona

Article/ by Arnaldo Cervesato, The Theosophical Path, November, 1916

[Crotona] This was the ancient city of Magna Graecia, Italy, and has no reference to modern places of that name.… Read More »The School of Pythagoras at Crotona

Missionaries Militant

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

We have just read the two dreary columns in The Pioneer of March 15th, “The Theosophists in Council,” by Mr.… Read More »Missionaries Militant

Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1908; January, April, 1909 [Serialized]

[Part I] [Introduction] The shortest of all the older Upanishads is the Mandukya. Yet in some ways it contains fuller… Read More »Mandukya-Karika by Gaudapada (Natural, Psychical and Spiritual Bodies)

Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, La Revue Spirite, December, 1879 [Translation from the original French]

You do not write to us any more then? And to diversify your Parisian amusements you demolish me in the… Read More »Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery

From the Highlands of Lemuria

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, July, October, 1917; January, April, 1918 [Serialized]

[I.] Alfred Russel Wallace has dedicated one of the most charming chapters of Island Life, the most delightful and fascinating… Read More »From the Highlands of Lemuria

[Missionary Tactics in India]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1880

Article selection from “Swami verses Missionary”, The Debate at Ajmere between Pandit Dayanund Saraswati Swami and the Rev. Dr. Gray,… Read More »[Missionary Tactics in India]

[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1880

Article selection by M. Camille Flammarion | Note by H.P.B. “Spiritism feels too grateful to the great scientist William Crookes… Read More »[Difference between “Spiritualists” and “Spiritists”]

Regarding Islamism

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

The conversion to the religion of the Prophet Mohammed of Alexander Russell Webb, F.T.S., and his establishing in New York… Read More »Regarding Islamism

The Noble Eightfold Path

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

I. There are two extremes, Brothers, that he who has renounced should shun. On the one side, the constant following… Read More »The Noble Eightfold Path

Reply: Resignation of Presidency, T.S. by Col Olcott

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

The following correspondence sufficiently explains itself. It is inserted here in order that American members generally may be in possession… Read More »Reply: Resignation of Presidency, T.S. by Col Olcott

The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament

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

In trying to realize the thought, feeling and aspiration of the people of Palestine in the time of Jesus, with… Read More »The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament

Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?

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

For many years it has been customary to regard that collection of interesting stories called “The Arabian Nights,” as pure… Read More »Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?

The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation

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

Many Scriptures have been inspired by the Great Initiation; with these are to be counted the Prometheus Bound of Æschylus… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation

Genius

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, 1889

“Genius! thou gift of Heaven, thou light divine! Amid what dangers art thou doom’d to shine. Oft will the body’s… Read More »Genius

The Kali Yuga

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

A correspondent is confused on this subject from the statement in What is Theosophy by Mr. Old, that we are… Read More »The Kali Yuga

Facts and Ideations

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August-September, 1885 [Serialized]

The current of public attraction runs towards psychic phenomena and is becoming in Europe stronger every year. Even German science… Read More »Facts and Ideations

The Subjective and the Objective

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

“After this, I said, imagine the enlightenment and ignorance of our nature in a figure: Behold! human beings living in… Read More »The Subjective and the Objective

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1929

The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Talks About Indian Books

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, March, April, July, August, December, 1895; January, 1896 [Serialized]

I. Introductory “When to the session of sweet silent thought”, as Shakespeare says, “I conjured up remembrance of things past”—as… Read More »Talks About Indian Books

The Trinity of Righteousness

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

Three other victims “smelling sweet in the nostrils of the Lord!” The names of Justice North, the Rev. Dr. S.… Read More »The Trinity of Righteousness

Our Sun and the True Sun

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

Considering how little is known of the sun of this system, it is not to be wondered at that still… Read More »Our Sun and the True Sun

An Unsolved Mystery

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

The circumstances attending the sudden death of M. Delessert, inspector of the police de sûreté, seems to have made such an… Read More »An Unsolved Mystery

Buddha and Ambapali

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, April, 2014

In the story of the Buddha’s final journey and Paranirvana, recorded beautifully in the Maha-parinibbana Sutta,1 we are confronted with… Read More »Buddha and Ambapali

Discipline for Disciples

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

The rules of conduct which the Buddha enjoined on the members of his Order are embodied, as almost always, in… Read More »Discipline for Disciples

The Vedanta in Daily Life

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1907

Every land has something to contribute to our life. In many cases we may recognize our indebtedness. Thus from Rome… Read More »The Vedanta in Daily Life

The Religion of India

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

I. When we come to India, the contrast with Egypt and Chaldea is strongly marked. Of the ancient Sumerian culture… Read More »The Religion of India

The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra

Translation/ by Hermann Jacobi, 1895 [From The Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 45, with updated Sanskrit and Prakrit transliterations.]

Contents Introduction First Lecture: On Discipline Second Lecture: On Troubles Third Lecture: The Four Requisites Fourth Lecture: Impurity Fifth Lecture:… Read More »The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra

Theosophic Diet

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

The question “whether to eat meat or not to eat it” is one which is uppermost in the minds of… Read More »Theosophic Diet

The Earth Chain of Globes

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, March & April, 1893 [Serialized]

[No. I.] Although H.P.B. gave out to several of those who met her during the period from 1875 to 1878… Read More »The Earth Chain of Globes

The Cave of the Echoes

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Banner of Light, March, 1878

In the older countries of Europe and Asia there frequently occur examples of interference by the dead with the living,… Read More »The Cave of the Echoes

Cycles and Cyclic Law

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophical Congress, September, 1893

Ladies and gentlemen: This is our last meeting; it is the last impulse of the Cycle which we began when… Read More »Cycles and Cyclic Law

“Not Unto Us.”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), August, 1899

“All of life, throughout all the world, is to be the dwelling-place of the King; by renouncing life thou shalt… Read More »“Not Unto Us.”

Fragments: on Idolatry, Avataras, Initiations, Cycles and Modern Fallacies

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, August, 1896 [Posthumously Published]

Idolatry The outward form of idolatry is but a veil, concealing the one Truth like the veil of the Saitic… Read More »Fragments: on Idolatry, Avataras, Initiations, Cycles and Modern Fallacies

General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, The Works of Plato, 1804

[p. iii] “Philosophy,” says Hierocles,1 “is the purification and perfection of human life. It is the purification, indeed, from material… Read More »General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato

Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, March, 1896 [Re-printed from the Madras Mail]

There is a charming story in one of the Upanishads, a story full of the most delicate humour, which tells… Read More »Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour

Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Light, August, 1884

To the Editor of Light. Sir,— I write to rectify the many mistakes—if they are, indeed, only “mistakes”—in Mr. Lillie’s last letter… Read More »Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions

Patanjali and His Disciples

Article/Review/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1915

Dr. J. Haughton Woods prints, in the November number of the Journal of the American Oriental Society, a translation of… Read More »Patanjali and His Disciples

Practical Theosophy

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

The ethics of life propounded by Jesus are not different from those found in theosophy, but the latter holds in… Read More »Practical Theosophy

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