The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-01-22
THEosoPHY AND BUDDHISM,
.ditor OF THE HERArp


Your Issue of the 10Th inst. contained
an article on Buddhism in America, -
which confuses Buddhism with Theos-
ophy, and 1 request permission to correct
few misconceptions which appeared
in it.
The article was mainly correct as far as
the teachings OF the Buddhists are con-
cerned, but Theosophy is not Buddhism,
nor is the TheosophicaI society propagate
ing the Buddhist faith. 1t is true that in
India the great majority of the Theosoph-
lists are Buddhists, but the Brahmins,
Mohammedans, Zoroastrians and others
are also represented. In England and
America, however, majority of men,
bers are connected with the various
Christian religions, though some are
thoroughly agnostic as to all faiths.
The Theosophical society, in a strict
sense, cannot be claimed at all as a re-
hgious body. The primary object is to
form nucleus OF universal brotherhood
OF humanity, without distinction as to
race, creed or color; beyond this its aim
Is the study of all religions, Hteratures
and sciences, particularly orientaD for
the purpose of demonstrating the truth OF
universal brotherhood, and to show that
a unity OF purpose runs through all
creation. 1t also endeavors to show that
all religions are but branches of some
parent system. Theosophy claims to have
been this. under the name of the Wisdom
Religion. But whether it substantiates
its claims is Tor each person to decide for
himself. This original faith could not
possibly have been Buddhism, for that is
only 900 years old, whereas the parent
system must antedate all others, and
having existed all the way from 4 COO to
u, 900 years ago, as different writer's have
computed the age OF the world.
The Philosophical society has no system
OF belief and places no restraint upon the
belief of its members, but it postulates
that Theosophy was The parent faith,
though it asks no member nor anyone
else to accept this suppOsition nor any of
the beliefs peculiar to TheOSophy unless
the proposition seem reasonable to him.
1t VIII be seen that a vast difference exists
between Theosophy and the society which
bears it's name.
Theosophy says that the objects of the
present existence OF humanity is to attain
NirYana, but the teachings in this point
are direct that one who has it in his power
to enter that state would be utterly selfish
to do so as long as there is a single atom
OF humanity that needs his help in its up
ward travels. Touching on this point it
is said that soul is a portion of the
Supreme Being, but has separate indi-
vidual existence. 1t is distinguished
from the Creator by not possessing essen
italy and permanently the qualities of
perception, desire and action, and is
also subject to ignorance and sorrow.
But the supreme spirit is perfect and
eternally blessed. 10 gain Nirvana the
soul must first attain a perfection equal
to the Supreme Being, after
which it is qualified to enter into
the state of eternal blessedness. There is
no less of consciousness, nor destruction
OF the individual entity, but to arrived at
a perfect condition the passions and de-
sires must be so crushed that they will
not rule the individual, but be subject to
his will; they are not destroyed but held
in check, that no energy may be wasted,
and that all may be utilized for the great
est good. One could hardly be considered
perfect who would enter into state OF
perpetual eontentmenU and leave millions
of his fellows to still struggle with beset-
ting forces; hence wrong impression is
conveyed by stating that the virtues are
cultivated for the sole purpose of reach
ing Nirvana; they are cultivated that one
may better help those who need assist
ance, thus theosophy inculcates good Tor
the sake OF others and not for self Gen.
erosity, extended with the idea of reap
ing personal benefit, would of course be
but exalted selhshness, but when ex-
tended to others regardless of self, it be-
comes good for its own sake.
Nothing need be now said about karma
or reincarnation, save that they are the
twin theories which have to do with the
evolution of humanity. Lack of space
forbids further comment.
THEOsPHIgr.