Theos-Talk Archives (October 1996 Message tl00285)

On Sat, 12 Oct 1996, m.k. ramadoss wrote:

> Dear Liesel:
>
> >From what I have understood about Theosophy, it is my understand that the
> life blood of Theosophy is to make all of us concerned about the well
> being of our fellow beings. The task of helping our fellow beings is so
> important and urgent in the world that Those who have gone far ahead of
> us in understanding welcome any one of us who can give whatever help we
> can in this direction. It is also my understanding that They are not
> looking for peons to serve them. In the world of today when there is so
> much pain and suffering is there, much can be achieved by energetic,
> enterprising self motivated self starters. When the "peonic" model is put
> forward by anyone, there follows all the counter productive consequences
> such as control over the thought and actions of other by those who claim
> to have close contact or direct connection with Those who are far ahead
> of us. No one needs an unnecessary intermediary. I believe Lord Buddha
> said this.

MKR,

You are right: the Buddha never failed to say it. He often stressed
that one needs to be strong and independent to go along the Path.

Here is a relevant passage from the Buddha's discourses found in The Secret
Doctrine (v.3, Adyar one-vol. edition, p.401) as quoted by Alice Bailey:

"The Lord Buddha has said that we must not believe in a thing said merely
because it is said; nor traditions because they have been handed down
from antiquity; nor rumours, as such; nor writings by sages, because
sages wrote them; nor fancies that we may suspect to have been inspired
in us by a Deva (that is, in presumed spiritual inspiration); nor from
inferences drawn from some haphazard assumption we may have made; nor
because of what seems an analogical necessity; nor on the mere authority
of our teachers or masters. But we are to believe when the writing,
doctrine, or saying is corroborated by our own reason and consciousness.
"For this," says he in concluding, "I taught you not to believe merely
because you have heard, but when you believed of your consciousness, then
to act accordingly and abundantly."