The Key to Theosophy

Transcriber's Notes:

Underscores "_" before and after a word or phrase indicate italics in the original text. Equal signs "=" before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold= in the original text. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Typographical errors have been silently corrected but other variations in spelling and punctuation remain unaltered. The heading on page 188 was changed from “ON SELF-RELIANCE” to “ON SELF-SACRIFICE”, to agree with the Table of Contents, and the subject of the section.

The Key to Theosophy

THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY

BEING A CLEAR EXPOSITION, IN THE FORM OF QUESTION AND ANSWER

OF THE ETHICS, SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

FOR THE STUDY OF WHICH THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY HAS BEEN FOUNDED

BY H. P. BLAVATSKY

[Reprinted Verbatim from the Original Edition first published in 1889.]

THE UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1920

Dedicated

by “H. P. B.”

To all her Pupils

that

They may Learn and Teach in their turn

CONTENTS

SECTION I. Page THEOSOPHY AND THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY: The Meaning of the Name 1 The Policy of the Theosophical Society 3 The Wisdom-Religion Esoteric in all Ages 5 Theosophy is not Buddhism 10

SECTION II. EXOTERIC AND ESOTERIC THEOSOPHY: What the Modern Theosophical Society is not 12 Theosophists and Members of the “T.S.” 15 The Difference between Theosophy and Occultism 19 The Difference between Theosophy and Spiritualism 21 Why is Theosophy accepted? 27

SECTION III. THE WORKING SYSTEM OF THE T.S.: The Objects of the Society 30 The Common Origin of Man 31 Our other Objects 36 On the Sacredness of the Pledge 37

SECTION IV. THE RELATIONS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY TO THEOSOPHY: On Self-Improvement 40 The Abstract and the Concrete 43

SECTION V. THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY: On God and Prayer 47 Is it Necessary to Pray? 50 Prayer Kills Self-Reliance 55 On the Source of the Human Soul 57 The Buddhist Teachings on the above 59

SECTION VI. THEOSOPHICAL TEACHINGS AS TO NATURE AND MAN: The Unity of All in All 64 Evolution and Illusion 65 The Septenary Constitution of our Planet 67 The Septenary Nature of Man 69 The Distinction between Soul and Spirit 72 The Greek Teachings 75

SECTION VII. ON THE VARIOUS POST-MORTEM STATES: The Physical and the Spiritual Man 79 Our Eternal Reward and Punishment; and on Nirvana 85 On the Various “Principles” in Man 91

SECTION VIII. ON RE-INCARNATION OR REBIRTH: What is Memory according to Theosophical Teaching? 96 Why do we not Remember our Past Lives? 99 On Individuality and Personality 104 On the Reward and Punishment of the Ego 107

SECTION IX. ON THE KAMA-LOKA AND DEVACHAN: On the Fate of the Lower “Principles” 112 Why Theosophists do not believe in the Return of Pure “Spirits” 114 A few Words about the Skandhas 120 On Post-mortem and Post-natal Consciousness 123 What is really meant by Annihilation 127 Definite Words for Definite Things 134

SECTION X. ON THE NATURE OF OUR THINKING PRINCIPLE: The Mystery of the Ego 139 The Complex Nature of Manas 143 The Doctrine is Taught in St. John’s Gospel 146

SECTION XI. ON THE MYSTERIES OF RE-INCARNATION: Periodical Rebirths 155 What is Karma? 158 Who are Those who Know? 170 The Difference between Faith and Knowledge; or, Blind and Reasoned Faith 172 Has God the Right to Forgive? 176

SECTION XII. WHAT IS PRACTICAL THEOSOPHY? Duty 180 The Relations of the T.S. to Political Reforms 183 On Self-Sacrifice 188 On Charity 192 Theosophy for the Masses 194 How Members can Help the Society 196 What a Theosophist ought not to do 197

SECTION XIII. ON THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY: Theosophy and Asceticism 204 Theosophy and Marriage 207 Theosophy and Education 208 Why, then, is there so much Prejudice against the T.S? 214 Is the Theosophical Society a Money-making Concern? 221 The Working Staff of the T.S. 225

SECTION XIV. THE “THEOSOPHICAL MAHATMAS”: Are They “Spirits of Light” or “Goblins Damn’d”? 228 The Abuse of Sacred Names and Terms 237