The Star of Azazel - Azazelin Tähti

We are starting reading circle of A.P. Sinnett's book Esoteric Buddhism. While the name is suggesting this is about buddhism, it is more like theosophical interpretation of buddhism. This book was highly influential in the early days of Theosophical Society and was one of the major books along with Blavatsky's writings.

Everybody are welcome to join this reading circle. I'll wait one week before starting to plan this in more detail. So, who's joining?

I would love to attend, but am feeling quite swamped with the reading I have on the go. I do feel this will complement the Secret Doctrine reading circle quite nicely though, so I will follow from afar if that's alright!

Polyhymnia wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 7:11 pm I would love to attend, but am feeling quite swamped with the reading I have on the go. I do feel this will complement the Secret Doctrine reading circle quite nicely though, so I will follow from afar if that's alright!

Same here

This is really something I would've liked to be a part of, but I am really struggling with my many responsibilities as it is, and I have no way of participating before we are finnished withe the Red Book and the Satanic Feminism.

Kenazis wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 5:39 pm While the name is suggesting this is about buddhism, it is more like theosophical interpretation of buddhism.

I remember Blavatsky mentioning (I think I read it in the precace of the Finnish foreword to Isis Unveiled...) that the name should have been writen as Budhism, with one "d" instead of two. I think this book is not so much about Buddha-ism, but rather about Budhi-ism, that is, the centeredness on the Theosophical Budhi-principle.

obnoxion wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2019 11:01 amI remember Blavatsky mentioning (I think I read it in the precace of the Finnish foreword to Isis Unveiled...) that the name should have been writen as Budhism, with one "d" instead of two. I think this book is not so much about Buddha-ism, but rather about Budhi-ism, that is, the centeredness on the Theosophical Budhi-principle.

I just while ago read the Secret Doctrine 1 part 1 and this thing was there. Blavatsky said just like you say. And I also understood that it is more about budhi than teachings of Buddha of Buddhism.

I thought of that Blavatsky's statement just a few days ago. Unless it will be somehow else explained in Sinnett's own work, it seems to suggest that the author saw much more importantly the Buddhism of the theosophical masters ("Mahatmas" of the Mahatma letters) than is obvious to the present day reader, who simply takes their statements as Blavatskyan theosophy. And that would be quite understandable, for the Mahatma letters are filled with adoring references to Lord Buddha and the supreme esoterical doctrine of his, even though the vocabulary and form of statements is mostly European. So Blavatsky's explanation in the Secret Doctrine can be seen as an attempt to change the train of thought afterwords, as is customary in these regards (when an attempt is made by the masters but the scribe emphasizes aspects which might not be optimal for the sought impulse).

Book comprises of twelve chapters, of which none is extremely long. In my 7th edition from 1892 the pages go:

I. Esoteric teachers, p.1
II. The constitution of man, p.22
III. The planetary chain, p.38
IV. The world periods, p.57
V. Devachan, p.79
VI. Kama loca, p.103
VII. The human tide-wave, p.136
VIII. The progress of humanity, p.154
IX. Buddha, p.174
X. Nirvana, p.194
XI. The universe, p.205
XII. The doctrine reviewed, p.219

How about we go through these chapters one per week, Kenazis, and be ready in three months or so? Would you do the honors and start with the Esoteric teachers? Or would you rather take the Constitution of man?

Polyhymnia wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 7:11 pmI would love to attend, but am feeling quite swamped with the reading I have on the go. I do feel this will complement the Secret Doctrine reading circle quite nicely though, so I will follow from afar if that's alright!

That's what we thought with Kenazis, that this might help a bit with your S.D. study, even though you might not be able to attend because of its tremendous work load. For me, this is the seventh (!) reading group active right now, but all except the Bible require little actual work, so it's ok. Secret Doctrine alone would demand an effort equal to half a dozen other reading groups, I think.

Your plan sounds good, fra Nefastos. I can start, but let's wait couple of weeks. I have many things going on just now, but I will get rid of most of them in couple of weeks. Now it's week 40. If I'll post something about first chapter on week 42? Is this plan fine for you? Maybe this "extra time" summons some brave soul to join with us.

Thank you for doing this, brothers! Same boat as Polyhymnia for me - happy to follow along and maybe comment here and there, but probably won't be able to take on the presenting of chapters. I'm definitely feeling overloaded with the Secret Doctrine, but whats a little more theosophy overload anyways . I have no doubt it will be interesting and helpful.

I should be able to track down a copy and have it delivered by the time this starts.