Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00181)

> From: Caldwell/Graye
> Sent:	Monday, December 14, 1998 3:38 PM
> Subject: Theosophical Glossary by H.P. Blavatsky

Dec 15th 1998

Dallas offers:

Concerning HPB'S THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY.


What I say below is my observation after using it regularly for
over 58 years.


I have found a few errors, (facts not stated correctly - but
whether that was Mead or HPB I do not know) but otherwise it is
reliable.  The errors or variances are not serious, and are
easily correctable.  They hardly qualify in quantity or
importance to damn the whole book.  I have also found
illuminating statements made there which illustrate some of the
occult and esoteric philosophical aspects of Theosophical
teachings - not to be found elsewhere.

I do not understand how de Zircov has written such a scathing
opinion, as usually his scholarship is meticulous.  He must have
found, on close examination, what I have found, and which anyone
who desires to devote time to such work, will find.

As a result of this kind of study I have been able to verify that
Theosophy is cohesive and its coherency is systematically
traceable.

I will add that this work has forced me to add a great number of
additional words (not Indexed in HPB's original Glossary) to the
list of definitions made - these are extracted from ISIS, SD and
other articles by HPB, where they are defined.

I have checked against ISIS and SD almost every entry, and have
found corroboration, or textual reprinting of definitions or
statements made in the GLOSSARY to agree with the references made
originally in those two books, or HPB's Articles.

To do this I read consecutively all the entries she made, and
cross-referenced them INSIDE the "Glossary." Then, as I read
through ISIS and the SD, I checked the words used there with
those in the GLOSSARY and placed notes at those entries for
future retrieval.

In addition I came across so many other valuable references that
I was forced to have my book-binder insert a blank page between
the printed pages.  I have used this for such storage of
references over the years and in some cases have been forced to
add additional sheets.

Since HPB uses such a wide sweep of references taken from the
past, it is necessary for a student to do this, so as to assure
him or herself of the accuracy of Theosophical doctrines.
And, the historical and classical base from which statements are
made.  If this is not done then the student is placing reliance
on "authority."

What I write above is  factual and is not written to make me
appear authoritative.  It is for this reason when I state
something on behalf of Theosophy, I give references, so that
other students may cross-check what I say back to the original
sources.

Best wishes,

Dallas

==============================


SUBJECT:	Theosophical Glossary by H.P. Blavatsky

Regarding previous emails posted to Theos-Talk, one of my
correspondents writes privately to me:
"The Glossary is . . . full of errors. . . . Had I the time I
would find dozens of entries I think are suspicious and
contradict earlier writings of HPB, especially the SD.
I.	. . think Mead wrote a great deal of it, and it waited for
HPB's approval. After she died, the MSS. were simply published
without HPB's thoroughgoing edit.  Much of what's in there is
from HPB, and I feel certain much is not. . . ."

It would be most helpful not only for me but for the benefit of
other Blavatsky students, if my correspondent could find the time
and list 6 to 12 entries which she believes "are suspicious and
contradict earlier writings of HPB, especially the SD."  I will
enquire about this.
In the meantime I am posting the gist of this on Theos-Talk,
hoping that other Blavatsky students may find the above comments
of some interest.  Dallas, if you read this, what is your opinion
about these comments since I know you have made a special study
of THE THEOSOHICAL GLOSSARY?
I will post some of my own thoughts on THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY
in the near future.

-- THEOSOPHY WORLD-Theosophical Talk-theos-talk@theosophy.com
theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.