The Key to Theosophy

This book is an excellent introduction to the views of Theosophy, which in many respects is not a religion or a philsophy; it is a helpful guide to distinguish and compare theosophy both to the world religions as they are practiced and the "secret wisdom" that is also found in all world religions. As another reviewer remarked, the Glossary is a very helpful set of definitions for learning further about the theosophical perspective.

Exhaustive, penetrating, and wholly satisfying, you will refer to this tome for years to come. The A to Z glossary alone has proved invaluable to me as I struggle to understand concepts far weightier than I ever imagined existed!

Almost all expositions of Tibetan Buddhism that are current in the west, logical studies of mahdyamika, ethical studies of prajanaparamita, mantra and tankha practice from the Tantric or Varjayana presume upon an intimate knowledge of the arguments, psychology and metaphysics of a Buddhism as described in this work. Even Madame Blavatksy wrote in Key to Theosophy, a popular introduction to the context of her theosophy embodied in her magnum opus The Secret Doctrine, recommended that the Buddhism of Tsong-kha-pa would be an explanation to her own occultism. It took many years before any attempt was made to summarize or introduce even parts of this work. Not because the text was scarce but that the technical command of Tibetan scholastic language, logic, hermeneutics, and exegeses of Buddhist scripture were needed to approach this powerful work. The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path of Enlightenment is the first of a series of three projected volumes. In this first volume the reader is brought into basic Buddhist teachings as characterized in a Buddhist monastic setting, for people of little or middling capacity in religion to cultivate the awakening of Bodhichitta. The work is being expedited by a committee of exceptional Buddhist scholars and is being translated in a straightforward manner without commentary or cumbersome notes.

'The Key to Theosophy' is a classic of Theosophical mysticism and esoteric doctrine. This book is a must-have for anyone seriously interested in philosophy or religion.The name "Theosophy" is derived from the ancient Greek for "Divine Wisdom," and is used by the Theosophical Society (founded 1875) to describe a synthesis of philosophy, ancient spiritual mysticism and modern science.But be aware that Theosophical works such as 'The Key to Theosophy' present a rather controversial view of the universe, and the reader should be prepared for a long process of in-depth study and consideration of ideas that do not follow the normal mainstream of traditional dogma.The unorthodox philosophy contained in 'The Key to Theosophy' has been abused by such infamous figures as Adolf Hitler and others. But great personalities such as Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma (Mohandas) Ghandi have also been associated with Theosophical studies. This work is a classic among intellectuals of the 19th and 20th centuries.'The Key to Theosophy' describes the Universe in terms of Pantheism (which refers to the intimate connection between Divinity and Nature, not "multiple gods" as is commonly misunderstood), and in this way, explains in logical terms a common set of fundamental principles behind many of the religions of the world. Theosophy shows the relationship of the Inner Essence of the soul of mankind to the Divine Source, and makes clear the "how" and "why" behind the Golden Rule and all the moral teachings of the various religions.In light of the Theosophical explanations, traditional morals, ethics, and spirituality become more than a set of arbitrary dogmatic rules. For those who look closely, even such fundamental Christian principles as salvation and sacrifice become clear.In addition to 'The Key to Theosophy,' other works of Helena Blavatsky, as well as William Q Judge, Annie Bessant, and Charles Ledbeater provide insight into this fascinating area of philosophy.I would particularly recommend 'Man, Visible and Invisible,' 'Isis Unveiled,' 'Thought Forms,' 'The Hidden Side of Things,' and 'Golden Precepts.'