Theos-Talk Archives (December 1996 Message tl00565)

Here is something that we can all discuss. It is, IMHO, a highly relevant
Theosophical issue from whatever organizational or model point of view you
look at it.
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In pp. 17, The Mahatma Letters to APS (Third Edition TPH Adyar 1962) is the
following statement.

    "It is true that a married man cannot be an adept, yet without striving
     to become a 'Raja Yogi' he can acquire certain powers and do much
     good to mankind and often more, by remaining within the precincts of
     this world of his."

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Let us look at Lord Gautama Buddha:

     He was born a prince in India. He belonged to the Kshathria (warrior)
     Caste -- as all Royalty in India are. As a Kshatria, it is ok to eat meat
     and drink alcohol. So there is a strong likely hood that he would have
     had meat diet, even though when he became a sanyasi he was a vegetarian
     and surely when he was enlightened he did preach harmlessness. As a young
     prince he was married and had a son. This was before he abdicated his
     royalty and became a sanyasin.

     It is generally considered by Theosophical students that Lord Buddha is
     is one of the greatest adepts and he did influence billions of men and
women by his teachings. I am one of those influenced very strongly by his
     teachings.
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Questions:

I for a moment do not doubt what is stated in the ML.

On the other hand we have the life of Lord Buddha.

How do you reconcile the fact that Buddha (who is supposed to have been an
Adept even in his previous lives) was a married man?

Is it possible that there are exceptions to the rule?

In the general model followed by TS(Adyar) after HPB, there is a general
belief about the need to avoid meat, alcohol and if possible sex (both
within the marriage and outside).

I am not advocating that we all indulge in promiscuity or get drunk or use
mind altering drugs or become meat eaters. We all know all of these things
do lead to serious physical,emotional and social problems.

But as inquirers into Truth, which is what Theosophy is all about, I belive
there must be somewhere a consistent solution or explanation to the above
statement in ML and life of Lord Buddha.


Any thoughts, speculations, etc.


MK Ramadoss