Neither Buddha nor Christ ever wrote anything of themselves, but both spoke in allegories and customs \u201cdark sayings,\u201d as all true initiates did and will do for a long time to come. Both gospels, the Buddhist and the Christian, were preached with the same object. Both reformers were ardent philanthropists and real altruists\u2014preaching self-sacrifice to the bitter end.
\n\u201cLet the sins of the whole world fall upon me, that I may relieve the misery and suffering of man!\u201d cries Buddha. \u201cCome unto me, all ye that are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,\u201d is the appeal to the poor and the destitute of the \u201cMan of Sorrows,\u201d who has no place to lay his head. The teachings of both are boundless love for humanity, mercy, forgiveness of wrongs, self-forgetfulness; they both show the same contempt for wealth, and make no distinction between mine and thine. Their wish was to give to the ignorant and misguided, for whom the burden of life was too heavy, sufficient hope and some suspicion of the truth to sustain them in their most difficult hours, without revealing to all the sacred mysteries of initiation. But the object of both reformers was frustrated, owing to the excessive zeal of their later followers.
\nRead history and think about it. At the time when the events related in the Gospels are said to have taken place, a similar intellectual ferment was taking place in the civilized world. The old gods were dying out. Once again the time had come for a spiritual reformation.
\n\u2013 Chapter V<\/p>\n
Table of contents:<\/u>
\n1. THEOSOPHY AND THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
\nThe meaning of the name. The policy of the Theosophical Society. The Wisdom-religion in all ages esoteric. Theosophy is not Buddhism
\n2. EXOTERIC AND ESOTERIC THEOSOPHY
\nWhat the modern Theosophical Society is not. Theosophists and members of the \u201cTS\u201d. The difference between Theosophy and Occultism. The difference between Theosophy and Spiritualism. Why does Theosophy find recognition?
\n3. THE TS'S METHOD OF OPERATION
\nThe Aims of the Society. The Common Origin of Man. Our Other Aims. On the Sanctity of the Vow
\n4. THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY TO THEOSOPHY
\nOn self-improvement. The abstract and the concrete
\n5. THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY
\nAbout God and the Whole. Is Prayer Necessary? Prayer Kills Self-Confidence. About the Origin of the Human Soul. The Buddhist Teachings Regarding the Above
\n6. THEOSOPHICAL TEACHINGS CONCERNING NATURE AND MAN
\nThe unity of all in all. Evolution and illusion. On the sevenfold composition of our planet. The sevenfold nature of man. The distinction between soul and spirit. The Greek teachings
\n7. ON THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS AFTER DEATH
\nThe material and the spiritual man. On eternal reward and punishment; and on Nirvana. On the different "principles" in man
\n8. ON REINCARNATION OR REBIRTH
\nWhat is memory according to theosophical teaching? Why don't we remember our past lives? About individuality and personality. About reward and punishment of the ego
\n9. ON KAMA-LOKA AND DEVACHAN
\nOn the fate of the lower "principles." Why theosophists do not believe in the return of pure "spirits." A few words about the Skandhas. On consciousness after death and after birth. What exactly is meant by annihilation? Certain words for certain things
\n10. ON THE NATURE OF OUR THINKING PRINCIPLE
\nThe Mystery of the Ego. The Composite Nature of Manas. The Doctrine is Taught in the Gospel of John
\n11. ON THE MYSTERIES OF REINCARNATION
\nPeriodic rebirths. What is karma? Who are those who know? The difference between faith and knowledge; or blind and reasonable faith. Does God have the right to forgive?
\n12. WHAT IS PRACTICAL THEOSOPHY?
\nDuty. The attitude of the TS towards political reforms. On self-sacrifice. On charity
\nTheosophy for the Masses. How Members Can Help the Society. What a Theosophist Should Not Do
\n13. ON THE MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
\nTheosophy and Asceticism. Theosophy and Marriage. Theosophy and Education. Why is there so much prejudice against the TS? Is the Theosophical Society a money-making enterprise? The TS Staff
\n14. THE \u201cTHEOSOPHIC MAHATMAS\u201d
\nAre They \u201cEnlightened Spirits\u201d or \u201cTormentors\u201d? The Abuse of Sacred Names and Words<\/p>\n
DECISION
\nThe Future of the Theosophical Society
\nglossary
\nappendix
\nindex<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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