Theos-Talk Archives (January 1994 Message tl00038)

It is sometimes useful to trace theosohical terms or concepts back to
the various religions and philosophies of the world. This helps show
that the ideas which we teach are not unique to ourselves, but can be
found to be held by others in the world. All but the more esoteric
can be shown in various forms in beliefs like Buddhism, Christianity,
Hinduism, and Greek Philosophy.

By branching out into other areas of study, and applying the keys that
we have been given by Theosophy, we are able to broaden our intellectual
life. We can clothe our theosophical thoughts in the form of those
religions and philosophies, as a way of communicating some of what we've
learned, sharing with others that are not ready to directly study the
Teachings. With Theosophy, it is like we have learned the language of
the Gods, and we can take the great ideas that we find and communicate
them to others, learning and using other languages that others speak in.

It is also useful to learn other languages, such as Sanskrit, Tibetan,
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, because it broadens our intellectual
understanding in yet another way, than our religious, ethical,
philosophical, psychological, and scientific studies. We are only
beginning the evolution of our mind, of Manas, a task that will only
be completed in the Fifth Round.

When we draw an association between a theosophical concept, and one
found in, say, Tibetan Buddhism, it would be wrong to say that the
theosophical idea originated from the Tibetan one. Theosophy is not
a second-hand system of cast-off ideas. When we draw such a comparison,
it is for purposes of comparison, and not in order to *correct* our
theosophical ideas. When the ideas differ, I would side with the
theosophical, and say that the other religion was in error, or
misguided through, perhaps, some exoteric blind.

Drawing these correspondences does not validate Theosophy, it does not
prove Theosophy to be true. The Esoteric Philosophy stands on its own
merits, and is not really *seen* until it is studied to the point that
the student can *go beyond the words*.

If someone is impressed by showing that portions of Theosophy can be
found in Buddhism, Christianity, or Hinduism, and that certain
religious scriptures sound like pure Theosophy in their reading, that
is fine. But that does not make Theosophy more real. And the further
study of those scriptures does not guarantee further insight into the
Teachings. Other portions of the same scripture may be wrong, for they
come from exoteric religions, and the student has to proceed with
caution.

Looking at the dead-letter of our writings, we see terms, borrowed
terms taken from almost every possible source. The words were borrowed,
and given their own unique meanings. Sometimes the meanings are the
same as in the context of their sources, othertimes not.

Theosophy is not an imperfect borrowing of the ideas of the religions
of the world. It is a new and direct expression of some of the
esoteric Truths upon which those religions were founded. Its terms
are borrowed, and often used with more than one meaning, to conceal
the deeper Teachings from those not yet ready, but its ideas originate
not in a mosiac of exoteric philosophies, but rather in the direct
communication from the Masters of the Wisdom.

                     Eldon Tucker (eldon@netcom.com)