Writings related to the modern Theosophical Movement. See also: Theosophy.
We have received from Mme Blavatsky a letter dated from Madras, April 17. In this letter, the eminent Secretary of the Theosophical Society and Editor… Read More »Corrections Concerning the Controversy on Occultism
“Many are called, but few are chosen”—is a saying, that, to our great regret, applies to our Society collectively, and to a certain number of… Read More »The Shylocks of Lahore
Notice from the Indian Mirror | Note by H.P.B. Rai Bishen Lall, M.A., Pundit Gaindan Lall, B.A., and party deputed by the N.W.P. Patriotic Association,… Read More »[Re-Union of the Arya Samaj and the Theosophical Society?]
Anonymous Notice | Note by H.P.B. Mrs. Anandabai Joshi, F.T.S., the well-known Mahratta Brahmin lady, sailed yesterday by S.S. City of Calcutta for New York.… Read More »[Mrs. Anandabai Joshi, F.T.S.]
Letter by Purna Chundra Sen, with note by the Editor of The East | Reply by H.P.B. To the Editor of the “East.” Sir, With… Read More »Col. Olcott’s Wonderful Success
Some far-sighted and promising correspondent, anxious to penetrate the mystery of the recent Kotahena riot between the Buddhists and the Roman Catholics to its very… Read More »Theosophy and Religious Riots
The bisons, or North American buffaloes, we are told, when migrating, travel in vast solid columns of tens of thousands, which it is almost impossible… Read More »Dragged in Again!
We have belief in the fitness and usefulness of impartial criticism, and, even at times, in that of a judicious onslaught upon some of the… Read More »To the “Dissatisfied”
A friendly correspondent “8111,” has sent to us a severe rebuke embodied in a long letter. Received after the 20th of last month, it could… Read More »The Chosen “Vessels of Election”
Article selection by Gilbert Elliot, Esq. | Note by H.P.B. . . . The main difficulty in the way of ascertaining the truth about so-called miracles is… Read More »Theosophy and Miracles
If the saying of the witty Sydney Smith, that you cannot get a joke into a Caledonian head without trepanning the skull be true, no… Read More »Sir Richard and Theosophy, Again.
The following letters appeared recently in the Poona Observer. Were it not for a few flagrant misconceptions in letter the first and which it seems… Read More »A Word with the Theosophists
The Psychological Review, kindly taking notice of our misguided journal, has the following in its November number. “The present number [of The Theosophist for September,… Read More »Mistaken Notions
The first number of the journal of this new Society is full of interesting matter and indicates that our sister association will do good work… Read More »Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research
There exists a class of men—among the great variety composing genus homo—who, by their modes of thought and action, have to be viewed as a… Read More »The Arya and its “Outstation” Correspondence
To the Editor of The Philosophic Inquirer. My dear Sir and Brother,—I was very ill for the last two or three weeks, and could not… Read More »Sympathy for Mr. Charles Bradlaugh
We, the undersigned, the “Accepted” and “Probationary” Hindu Chelas of the Himalayan Brothers, their disciples in India, and Northern Cashmere, respectfully claim our right to… Read More »A Protest
To the Editor of the Theosophist. Dear Madame, I cannot say that, to me, the explanation furnished at page 288 of the last number of… Read More »“C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
We publish the following letter from “H. X.,” [A. O. Hume] under a strong personal protest. Another paper signed by several Chelas—all accepted pupils and… Read More »[Intro to] “C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
The Theosophical Society, its Objects and Creed; its Attitude towards Christianity and its Work in India: being a Paper in an enlarged form read before the… Read More »[Review: Pamphlet on the T.S. by Rev. Theophilus]
Sir—Notwithstanding our protest that there is no Theosophical Society at Ghazipore, I am surprised to find that, in your issue of the 10th instant, you… Read More »The So-Called Theosophical Society at Ghazipore
The first numbers of our iconoclastic Madras contemporary in its new English garb are on our table. We confess with pleasure that it has greatly… Read More »The Philosophic Inquirer
The end of the third year of publication has come (Volume III ends with the September number), and still the THEOSOPHIST exists and thrives, despite… Read More »Our Fourth Year
To the Editor, Philosophic Inquirer. My dear Sir and Brother,—I send you the enclosed letter from Colonel Olcott—who has just left for Ceylon—to be inserted… Read More »Sympathy from the Founders of the Theosophical Society
For over two years—ever since the now exploded craze of suspecting Madame Blavatsky of being a “Russian spy,” was blushingly consigned to the limbo of… Read More »The “Political” Side of Theosophy
In Light for April 27th, we find the manifesto of the new Socierty which has just been organized at London under the above title. The… Read More »The New Society for Psychical Research
We have been kindly favoured with a copy of a little pamphlet entitled: “The Theosophical Society and its Founders: An Honest Enquiry into their Aims and… Read More »An “Honest” Enquiry into the Aims of our Society
Article Selections by N. Chidambaram Iyer | Notes by H.P.B. . . . You are surprised to find that your friend and ally, Swami Dayanand… Read More »[On the T.S. Policy of Eclectic Tolerance of All Creeds]
Letter from Aletheia | Note and Reply by H.P.B. To the Editor of The Theosophist. Madame,—From time to time I have been grieved to notice,… Read More »Friendly Chastisement
We copy the following letter from the Bombay Gazette of April 4th, not for its bearing upon the recent “unpleasantness,” but to preserve, in our… Read More »“A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed”
Letter from “* * *” | Introductory Note and Footnotes by H.P.B. | “Answer to Misconceptions” by Damodar How little the “beliefs and creeds” of the Theosophical… Read More »Pert Questions and Plain Answers
[Note: the following was A. P. Sinnett’s response to the following statement made by the Editor of the Bombay Gazette: “. . . The assurance… Read More »[Defense of the Adepts, H.P.B. and the T.S.]
To the Editor of The Bombay Gazette: Sir,—Since you refuse publishing my long letter, will you kindly insert this one—merely to correct two grave mistakes… Read More »We Stand Corrected
Owing to misrepresentations and consequent misunderstandings caused by our mutual ignorance of each other’s language, the learned Pandit Dayanand Saraswati was prevailed upon, by our… Read More »The Theosophical Society and Swami Dayanand
Obituary selections by A. de Bourbon | Note by H.P.B. Obituary Death of the President of the “Post Nubila Lux Theosophical Society.” . . .… Read More »Obituary [Thomas Stolk]
When the great poet and writer, Coleridge, tried to establish his Watchman—a periodical in prose and verse, intended to advocate liberal opinions—owing partly to its… Read More »Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous WITNESS” (Exodus, xxiii, I ). The Indian… Read More »“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”
A wise and just interpretation of the main objects of our Society was given by our esteemed contemporary the Mahratta of Poona in its issue… Read More »Correct Definitions and Incorrect Insinuations
A valued friend and correspondent in Upper India writes:— “We have not had the pleasure of hearing from you since your return to Bombay. We… Read More »A Needed Explanation
Article Selections detailing comments from Mr. Cook’s Lecture | Notes and Reply by H.P.B. [Note: the following was preceded by letters to Mr. Joseph Cook… Read More »From Madame Blavatsky to Mr. Joseph Cook
The emotional letter to the Editor of a Christian journal of London, from a well-known native clergyman of Ceylon, which we copy below, is generously… Read More »In Desperate Straits
It is impossible for the Founders of the Theosophical Society to answer more than a few of the attacks made upon them in the Anglo-Indian… Read More »A Personal Explanation
(Strictly) (Private) & (Confidential) Several good reasons, given to Mahatma K. H., why the T.S. should be a Brotherhood of Humanity. The doctrine we promulgate… Read More »The Great Master’s Letter
To the Editor of The Theosophist. Madam: The following is a very important notice received from Benares. Please publish it in your columns, and give your… Read More »Dayanand Saraswati and his Followers
In the August number of The Theosophist there appeared a short paragraph announcing the death of Pandit Shraddha Ram of Jallunder, Puñjab. Several friends and… Read More »The Theosophist and Arya Samajist
Letter Selections by Raghu Nandan | Editor’s Note by H.P.B. To the Editor of The Theosophist. Madame,—On Saturday, the 23rd of July, 1881, Shri Shrikrishna Parsanna… Read More »[On the Religious Neutrality of the T.S.]
The rabid Christians in Ceylon seem to have been rather overdoing their game of detraction in the case of the Theosophists. The love of justice… Read More »[On Col. Olcott’s Opponents in Ceylon]
To the Editor of the Sun— Sir: In The Sun you notice a paper published in Ceylon by the Theosophical Society, but I am sure… Read More »The Theosophist in Ceylon
In the ordinary run of daily life speech may be silver, while “silence is gold.” With the editors of periodicals devoted to some special object… Read More »A Reply to Our Critics
Article Selections from “The Hindu Sabha”| Notes by H.P.B. The Hindu Sabha. Inaugurated A.D. 1880—Kali Era 4882. Affiliated to The Theosophical Society, Bombay. The members… Read More »[Note on Confusion about Theosophy and Theosophists]
Article Selections from “The Work of the Theosophical Societies” | Notes by H.P.B. Extracts from the President’s Letters to the Bombay Headquarters Thursday, May 12,… Read More »[Notes on the Theosophical Society, Christianity, Buddhism and Vedanta]
Sir.—It appears that the Editor (or Editors?) of that scurrilous English paper at Lahore, the (un) Civil and (more cowardly than) Military Gazette—inasmuch as it… Read More »[A Response to a Slanderous Attack]
Those of us whose duty it is to watch the Theosophical movement and aid its progress can afford to be amused at the ignorant conceit… Read More »The Leaven of Theosophy
In the Sunday Mirror of February 20, we find a paragraph in which Sir Richard Temple’s opinion on the Brahmo Samaj is quoted from his India in 1880 to… Read More »[On the Brahmo Samaj and Theosophical Society]
The Revue Spirite, edited by that honoured and thoughtful French spiritist, our friend, Mr. Leymarie, F.T.S., has devoted many pages to Theosophy during the past… Read More »[On the T.S. Setting a Good Example]
A short time since we had the pleasure of announcing that the aged Baron du Potet de Sennevoy had accepted the diploma of Honorary Fellow… Read More »Another Distinguished Fellow
The dial of Time marks off another of the world’s Hours. . . . And, as the Old Year passes into Eternity, like a rain-drop… Read More »A Year of Theosophy
That cause must be weak and desperate, indeed, that has to resort to the arts of the slanderer to prop it up and injure its… Read More »A Word with Our Friends
Sir Richard has done our Society the great honour of misrepresenting its character and objects to an English audience. A pamphlet edition of “A Speech… Read More »[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]
To the Editor, SIR,— Would you oblige me by giving a wider publicity than it would otherwise receive to the following reply which I have… Read More »Letter to the Editor, of the “Bombay Review”
To the Editor of the Indu-Prakash. SIR,— In your issue of August 30th, I find you commenting on certain “strange reports” about the Theosophical Society,… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Theosophical Society at Bombay
“Address of the President of the Ionian Theosophical Branch at Corfu, Upon Presenting the Charter of Constitution to the Fellows”, by Signor Pasuale Menelao, D.L.,… Read More »[A Republic of Conscience]
The thoughtful reader must have pondered well over the mysterious import that the number Seven seems to have always had among the ancients, as succinctly… Read More »The Number Seven and Our Society
Like all other pleasant things, our first year’s relations with The THEOSOPHIST’S subscribers are about to terminate. The present is the eleventh number, that has… Read More »Our Second Year
[The Pioneer, July 31, 1880, carried an article titled “The Theosophists in Ceylon”, which recounted H.P.B. and Col. Olcott’s trip to Ceylon. The article was… Read More »[Theosophical Delegation to Ceylon]
Sir,—May I hope to be allowed the same number of lines in the columns of your valuable paper, for the refutation of a mis-statement—misled no… Read More »The Theosophists at Maligawa
The tone of our private correspondence encourages us to think that our magazine is satisfying the wants of the Indian public, and that it may… Read More »A People’s Monthly
The editorial notice of the proposed visit of our Theosophical Delegation to the island of Ceylon, which is transferred to our columns from those of… Read More »[The Ceylon Delegation and Progress in India]
The Theosophical Society, or Universal Brotherhood Formed at New York, U. S. of America, October 30th, 1875. Principles, Rules, and Bye-Laws, as revised in General… Read More »Principles, Rules, and Bye-Laws of the Theosophical Society [1880]
The work we have to do in India might be so much impeded by foolish misconceptions that we heartily welcome any additional evidence showing that… Read More »[The Theosophists and the British Gov. of India]
“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York Theosophists, who arrived at Bombay… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
Late advices from various parts of the world seem to indicate that, while there is an increasing interest in the phenomena of spiritualism, especially among… Read More »The Drift of Western Spiritualism
The article entitled: “Final Reflexions of an Oriental,” which is addressed to me in the June number of La Revue Spirite, demands a reply. As… Read More »Final Reply of a Theosophist to Mr. Rossi De Justiniani
Sir,—In compliance with your request of April 2nd to inform you of the total amount of money sent by order of the Council, from New… Read More »Harichandra Chintamon
In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya Samâj. The writer seems neither… Read More »Magic
To the Editor of The Indian Spectator. Before entering upon the main question that compels me to ask you kindly to accord me space in your… Read More »The Indian “Public” and Theosophy
We insert this reply to Monsieur Rossi de Justiniani, but we express no opinion upon the doctrines expounded therein; our Smyrna brother may reply to… Read More »Erroneous Ideas Concerning the Doctrines of the Theosophists
Dear Sir,—So far, as I can at present foresee, this will be the last time I shall ask you to print anything over my—to many… Read More »Parting Words from Madame Blavatsky
Madame Blavatsky Narrates the History of the Brahmo-Samaj and the Ârya-Samâj.—The Conflict of Faiths in India.—Why the Theosophists Now Receive their Instructions from a Hindu… Read More »The Arya Samaj
[[This the New York Circular drafted mainly by Colonel H. S. Olcott and which was ready for distribution on May 3rd, 1878. A packet of… Read More »The Theosophical Society: Its Origin, Plan and Aims
Times have greatly changed since the winter of 1875-6, when the establishment of the Theosophical Society caused the grand army of American Spiritualists to wave… Read More »A Society Without a Dogma
At a meeting of the Theosophical Society, held this day, the statement having been read from a London journal that D. D. Home, the medium,… Read More »To the Public [re: the T.S.]
In future times, when the impartial historian shall write an account of the progress of religious ideas in the present century, the formation of this… Read More »Inaugural Address of the President-Founder of the Theosophical Society
The title of the Theosophical Society explains the objects and desires of its founders: they seek “to obtain knowledge of the nature and attributes of… Read More »Preamble of the Theosophical Society