Theos-Talk Archives (April 1999 Message tt00101)

In a message dated 4/8/99 3:17:30 PM, schuelergerald@optec-hq.optec.army.mil 
writes:

>>>...but when we repeatedly put forward a contentious view and say HPB
>and the Masters agree with it, then we do need to back it up.>>
>
>Peter, "a contentious view?"  If you mean liberation in a 
>single lifetime, then I am already on record as saying that 
>HPB never said anything to oppose it. She actually didn't 
>say much one way or the other except the very exoteric 
>view of karmic necessity that implies eternal rounds of
>reincarnation. Now it just so happens that this view was
>taught in the old days in india, and that this view is
>exactly what Buddha opposed. Buddha proclaimed 4
>Nobel Truths, which stressed that there is a way
>out of these seemingly endless rounds of incarnations.
>HPB was a Buddhist, not a Hindu. I can't help but
>seeing a certain amount of humor in the idea that her
>Theosophy has eliminated a key element of Buddhism
>that separated it from the fatalistic views of Hinduism
>and that my attempts to restore it are labeled as
>contentious...

Still another specious argument?  Restore what?  Something that was never 
lost or broken in the first place?  Since when was the teachings of the 
Buddha esoteric and those of HPB exoteric?  The four Noble truths of Buddha, 
and all their interpretations, true or false, are ALL exoteric.  The Book of 
Dzyan, upon which HPB's commentaries in the SD are based, is far earlier and 
certainly much more esoteric than all the teachings given out since 
relatively modern Buddhism arrived on the scene.  It is only recently that 
translations of these ancient esoteric teachings are being offered to Western 
scholars.  And, since we are not so sure of the adept status of their 
translators, whether or not these interpretations are truly valid is a moot 
question.  However, I don't think that there is any question about whether or 
not HPB promulgated the endless round theory of the Vedantists, the seven 
lifetime to seven second theory of the Buddhists, or the ALL in ONE lifetime 
theory of Jerry and some Tibetans.:-)  As HPB well knew and taught 
(esoterically, since only the "intuitive student" could understand what she 
meant in certain specific cases)--Karma is karma , and karma is cycles, and 
cycles can be reinforced by phase similarities, canceled by negative 
feedback, or modified by phase differentials.  Therefore, anything is 
possible--in time.  The question then is, how much time does it take to make 
any change in karma?  Before it can be gotten rid of, it must be harmonized, 
not just thrown away.  According to HPB, this depends solely on the self 
devised and self determined efforts of the student.  The next question is, 
how do we approach and how do we effectuate any harmonization of 
disharmonious karmic patterns that are entirely different for each individual 
on the path of evolution?  Therefore, to speak of any one method, or 
practice, or time, as being the ONLY right path for any individual, is just 
pompous hand waving to make a breeze over air rushing out of an empty 
balloon.:-)  

LHM


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