The Theosophical Library

Filters

Filter by Year

[Note: Use the sliders from both ends to define your date range]

Filter by Exact Date

[Notes: Articles published in monthly magazines are dated on the 1st of the month. Books where the exact date of publication are unknown, are dated as Dec, 31st, of the year they were published.]

Filter by Authors

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

[Note: first select the main author, then this will show co-authors, collaborators, compilers, etc.]

Filter by Recipients

[Note: this applies to recipients of letters and other correspondence.]

Filter by Source

Filter by Content Type

Filter by Keywords

Other Filters

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 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 Crown of Life”

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

“Laying all thy works in thought on me, and full of me, let thy imagination be ever bent on me,… Read More »“The Crown of Life”

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

The Religion of China

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

[I.] The records of China go back nearly five thousand years. Twenty-eight centuries before our era, say these records, a… Read More »The Religion of China

Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science

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

I have just received Light—the ablest of the Spiritual periodicals of England—of September 23, and read its “NOTES BY THE… Read More »Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science

[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]

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

Sir Richard has done our Society the great honour of misrepresenting its character and objects to an English audience. A… Read More »[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]

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

The Hermetic Bretheren

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

“. . . . We of the secret knowledge do wrap ourselves in mystery, to avoid the objurgation and importunity… Read More »The Hermetic Bretheren

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

The Fruits of Discipleship

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1925

The questions of King Ajatashatru, with the Buddha’s answers, make up the Sutta called The Fruits of Discipleship. There is… Read More »The Fruits of Discipleship

The Adepts

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

In this I purpose to give but the condensed form of some objections made to the theory of the existence… Read More »The Adepts

The Law of Cycles

Article/ by Anon., Universal Brotherhood Magazine, July, 1901 [Author signed as “C.W.”]

It is a matter of the deepest interest for every thinking man to obtain as clear an idea as possible… Read More »The Law of Cycles

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 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

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

[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]

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

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

[Notes on “A Canon Occultist”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Journal of The Theosophical Society, April, 1884

Letter Selections from “A Russian Theosophist” (translated by H.P.B.) | Notes by H.P.B. A Russian Theosophist sends to us extracts… Read More »[Notes on “A Canon Occultist”]

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Spiritualism and Occult Truth

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

The Spiritualist of Nov. 18th takes notice of the article published in the THEOSOPHIST for October under the heading “Fragments… Read More »Spiritualism and Occult Truth

The Almora Swami

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

Editorial Comments and Notes by H.P.B. on a letter from the Swami of Almora. In our February number (see page… Read More »The Almora Swami

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

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

Devotion and Understanding!

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1934 [Posthumously Published]

When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance.… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!

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

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

Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, December, 1892; January, 1893 [Serialized]

The Four Steps of the Self. The syllable OM is all; its expansion is what has been, what is, what… Read More »Pages from the Upanishads—Mandukya Upanishad

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

[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

The Occultism of Southern India

Article/ by Charles Johnston with T. Subba Row, , The Theosophist, January, 1889

[A Note on Authorship: In its original printing this article closed with the following note: “The foregoing is a summary… Read More »The Occultism of Southern India

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

Suicide is Not Death

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, New York World, August, 1894 [Re-printed in The Lamp, September, 1894]

As a student of Theosophy and human nature I have been interested in the discussion of the subject of self-murder… Read More »Suicide is Not Death

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

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 Grand Inquisitor

Translation/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November-December, 1881 [Serialized]

[Dedicated by the Translator to those sceptics who clamour so loudly, both in print and private letters—“Show us the wonder-working… Read More »The Grand Inquisitor

Filters

Filter by Exact Date

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

Filter by Recipients

Featured Content

Collected Writings

Authors

Publications

Browse by Keyword