The Theosophical Library

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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

Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

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

Science in the face of her Parisian representatives was very much exercised, if not offended, lately, by what is viewed… Read More »Gambetta’s Eye and Brain

The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

Article/Commentary/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, July-August, 1886 [Serialized]

The interesting story published under the above title has already attracted considerable attention. It is instructive in more ways than… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]

The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism

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

“Learning is light, ignorance is darkness,” says a proverb. It is good to be learned, when one’s knowledge rests on… Read More »The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism

Moon’s Mystery and Fate

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

Probably no heavenly body has received as much attention from men in all ages as our moon. Many causes contributed… Read More »Moon’s Mystery and Fate

Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September, 1898

When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis

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 Fall of Ideals

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1889

“Alas! we know that ideals can never be completely embodied in practice. Ideals must ever lie a great way off—and… Read More »The Fall of Ideals

Mechanical Theosophy

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, November, 1895

The earnest, devoted student can hardly believe that there exist any theosophists sincerely holding a belief in theosophical doctrines but… Read More »Mechanical Theosophy

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

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

[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

“The Latest Romance of Science,” summarized by a Frenchman. If the Atomo-mechanical Theory of the Universe has caused considerable embarrassment… Read More »[Review: The Latest Romance of Science]

The New Cycle (Le Cycle Nouveau)

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, La Revue Theosophique, March, 1889 [Translation from the original French]

We cannot inaugurate this first issue of an official and strictly Theosophical Magazine without giving our readers some information that… Read More »The New Cycle (Le Cycle Nouveau)

Theosophy and Modern Problems

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1920

Think that all the members of the audience realize that this lecture is a part of the Theosophical Convention,—the annual… Read More »Theosophy and Modern Problems

[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

Poem by Gerald Massey | Note by H.P.B. The Lady of the Light (Written for Lucifer) Star of the Day… Read More »[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]

The Gospels of the Kingdom

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1905

In much of our popular theology there is some danger that teachings about Jesus have somewhat overshadowed the teachings of… Read More »The Gospels of the Kingdom

Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists

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

[Note: for some background, see “Madame Blavatsky on ‘The Himalayan Brothers’”] Since the first appearance of The Occult World the… Read More »Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists

Devachan

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky with Franz Hartmann, , The Theosophist, May, 1883

Question by F. Hartmann | Reply by H.P.B. Will you kindly permit me a question? In Vol. IV, No. 2,… Read More »Devachan

The Universe in a Nut-Shell

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

The article on dreams alluded to in the following letter is reprinted with the desired explanatory notes for the information… Read More »The Universe in a Nut-Shell

[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

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

Magna est veritas et prevalebit. The reality of the phenomena has prevailed, and the Church is now forced to seek… Read More »[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]

Affirmations and Denials

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

In the Path of January a discussion on the subjects of “Mind Cure” and the like was begun. Since then… Read More »Affirmations and Denials

Doomed!

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

A letter signed by a Mr. R. Barnes Austin of Heathfield, England, addressed to the editor of The Theosophist, has… Read More »Doomed!

Madame Blavatsky Protests

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York World, April, 1877

To the Editor of The World: Sir—There was a time when the geocentric theory was universally accepted by Christian nations, and… Read More »Madame Blavatsky Protests

The Luminous Circle

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, January, 1876

We were a small party of merry travellers. We had arrived at Constantinople a week before from Greece, and had… Read More »The Luminous Circle

Diagnoses and Palliatives

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1890

“That the world is in such bad condition morally, is conclusive evidence that none of its religions and philosophies, those… Read More »Diagnoses and Palliatives

Kshatriya and Brahman

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1927

In the Pali Suttas the teachings of the Buddha are conveyed, not in philosophical abstractions, but in lively narratives with… Read More »Kshatriya and Brahman

Vestures of Consciousness

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

It will be remembered [see “States of Consciousness”] that the crowd of pilgrims who, with Pilgrim Potthapada, were in residence… Read More »Vestures of Consciousness

Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)

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

Note: It will be advisable to study the Commentary that follows, before reading this translation. [Translation] OM: let a man… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)

Children as Teachers

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), December, 1900

When we talk of teaching children, of forming their minds and hearts by suggestions taken from the experience of our… Read More »Children as Teachers

The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc

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

The following interesting letter was received by us from Fresno, California. As it is a private one, we can give… Read More »The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc

A Working Glossary for Theosophical Students

Book/ by W. Q. Judge, September, 1892 [3rd Edition, with Appendix]

Prefatory Words A glossary is said to be “a vocabulary explaining words which are obscure, antiquated, local, or peculiar to… Read More »A Working Glossary for Theosophical Students

Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, February, 1897

[Translation] Janashruti, the grandson of Janashruta, was full of faith, a giver of many gifts, bestowing much cooked food. He… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 4:1-2 (An Old Legend)

Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Madras Times, May, 1879

To the Editor, Sir,—My writing is prompted by the legitimate curiosity of a foreigner, who is studying the value of… Read More »Buddhist Priests and the Title “Reverend”

Russian Superstitions

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

In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then… Read More »Russian Superstitions

The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, February, 1884

The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism

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

Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

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

The Asiatic nations have often been accused of holding obstinately to their old routine and customs, and of being the… Read More »Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!

Aryasanga

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

Composing a biography on Aryasanga is not an easy task. Reliable records are scant and partial at best. Thus what… Read More »Aryasanga

[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

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

Article Selections by Vishnu Bawa’s “True Religion Defined” | Notes by H.P.B. What is dharma, or that which is popularly interpreted… Read More »[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]

Black Magic in Science

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1890

“. . . Commence research where modern conjecture closes its faithless wings.” (Bulwer’s Zanoni). “The flat denial of yesterday has become the… Read More »Black Magic in Science

Arjuna’s Beliefs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), November, 1902

In Vedic India there were two quite distinct beliefs as to death and the soul’s future destiny; the one belief… Read More »Arjuna’s Beliefs

Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophy, February, 1897 [Posthumously Published]

[Note: this was serialized from Feb.-Apr., 1897] Mr. Chairman, Fellow Theosophists, Ladies and Gentlemen: The title of what I am… Read More »Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution

Judges or Slanderers?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Le Lotus, June, 1887 [Translated from the original French by C. J. Ryan]

“. . . . . For our own part, we regard her (Madame Blavatsky) neither as the mouthpiece of hidden… Read More »Judges or Slanderers?

Stars and Numbers

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

Ancient civilization saw nothing absurd in the claims of astrology, no more than many an educated and thoroughly scientific man… Read More »Stars and Numbers

The Headquarters at Adyar

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

Having shown our readers in February Path the counterfeit presentment of H. P. Blavatsky, to whom the Theosophical Society owes… Read More »The Headquarters at Adyar

The Antiquity of Indian Writing

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1894 [Re-printed from the Madras Mail]

If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing

The Guardian of the Gate

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

“Seeking the gifts of the gods, Vajashravasa of old offered up all his possessions. He had a son, by name… Read More »The Guardian of the Gate

Chirognomy and Palmistry

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

Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry

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