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[[File:Esoteric Buddhism 1883.PNG|right|200px|thumb|''Esoteric Buddhism'', First Edition, 1883]] | |||
'''''Esoteric Buddhism''''' was one of the first Theosophical books, published in 1883. In it, [[Alfred Percy Sinnett]] wrote about [[Occultism|occultism]], the [[Adept|Adepts]], the [[Theosophical Society]], and first-hand experience with the existence of powers unknown to science which the occultist has developed. | |||
== Writing of the book == | |||
In February, 1883, the Sinnett family moved from Allahabad back to England, visiting the new [[Theosophical Society]] headquarters at [[Adyar (campus)|Adyar]] along the way. Mr. Sinnett wrote: " | |||
I had already begun to write ''Esoteric Buddhism'' and went on with the work during our stay at Adyar."<ref>A. P. Sinnett, ''Early Days of Theosophy in Europe'' (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1922): 39.</ref> He then described the incidents surrounding receipt of [[Mahatma Letter No. 108]] in the "Shrine Room" in [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Blavatsky's]] quarters. | |||
He published the bulk of the material composing the book in a series of articles written under the title of [[Fragments of Occult Truth (article)|"Fragments of Occult Truth"]]. They were published in ''The Theosophist'' on October (pp. 2-5) and November 1882 (pp. 46-48), and March (pp. 131-135), April (pp. 161-164), and May 1883 (pp. 194-195). The information for these articles came from [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|the letters]] he received from Mahatmas [[Koot Hoomi|K.H.]] and [[Morya|M.]], as well as discussions with [[H. P. Blavatsky]]. | |||
== Publication history == | == Publication history == | ||
The book came off the press on [[June 10]], 1883.<ref>Vic Hao Chin, introduction to Letter 111, ''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett in Chronological Sequence'' (Quezon City, Philippines: Theosophical Publishing House, 1883), 372.</ref> Shortly after it was published, there appeared in [[The Theosophist (periodical)|''The Theosophist'']] a very important series of articles titled, "Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett's Esoteric Buddhism." These were written, or caused to be written, by three adepts. Largely as a result of these articles, Sinnett prepared an "annotated and enlarged" edition of ''Esoteric Buddhism'', which constitutes the 1885 fifth edition. | |||
== Mahatma comments == | == Mahatma comments == | ||
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== Book reviews == | == Book reviews == | ||
== | == Additional resources == | ||
=== Electronic editions === | === Electronic editions === | ||
Complete text of ''Esoteric Buddhism'' is available at these Websites: | Complete text of ''Esoteric Buddhism'' is available at these Websites: | ||
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* 1885 - Fifth Edition, at [https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/EsotericBuddhism_APSinnett.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association]. | * 1885 - Fifth Edition, at [https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/EsotericBuddhism_APSinnett.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association]. | ||
* 1885 - Fifth Edition, at [http://cs3.a5.ru/media/f1/90/2a/f1902acb199b35adb3c7951501aa96b4.pdf a Russian Website] | * 1885 - Fifth Edition, at [http://cs3.a5.ru/media/f1/90/2a/f1902acb199b35adb3c7951501aa96b4.pdf a Russian Website] | ||
* 1885 - Fifth Edition, at [https://universaltheosophy.com/aps/esotericbuddhism.html Universal Theosophy] | |||
* 1889 - New American Edition, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1884, [http://archive.org/details/esotericbuddhis00sinn Internet Archive]. | * 1889 - New American Edition, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1884, [http://archive.org/details/esotericbuddhis00sinn Internet Archive]. | ||
* More editions at [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/010519075 HathiTrust]. | * More editions at [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/010519075 HathiTrust]. | ||
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* Blavatsky, H. P. [http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/puzzle-in-esoteric-buddhism# A Puzzle in "Esoteric Buddhism"]. ''Lucifer'' Vol 2. (May, 1888), 254. Letter from "An Agnostic Student of Theosophy" and response by HPB. Reprinted as a pamphlet by the Theosophy Company. | * Blavatsky, H. P. [http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/puzzle-in-esoteric-buddhism# A Puzzle in "Esoteric Buddhism"]. ''Lucifer'' Vol 2. (May, 1888), 254. Letter from "An Agnostic Student of Theosophy" and response by HPB. Reprinted as a pamphlet by the Theosophy Company. | ||
* Sinnett, A. P. [http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/path/v08n06p166_esoteric-teachings.htm "Esoteric Teaching"]. ''The Path'' 8.6 (September, 1893), 166. Available from Blavatsky Net. | * Sinnett, A. P. [http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/path/v08n06p166_esoteric-teachings.htm "Esoteric Teaching"]. ''The Path'' 8.6 (September, 1893), 166. Available from Blavatsky Net. | ||
* [https://www.philaletheians.co.uk/study-notes/confusing-words/budhism-is-inner-wisdom.pdf "Budhism is Inner Wisdom"] by Philatheians. Discusses use of the words "Budhism" and "Buddhism" and the title of Sinnett's book. | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Books]] | [[Category:Books]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:34, 11 April 2024
Esoteric Buddhism was one of the first Theosophical books, published in 1883. In it, Alfred Percy Sinnett wrote about occultism, the Adepts, the Theosophical Society, and first-hand experience with the existence of powers unknown to science which the occultist has developed.
Writing of the book
In February, 1883, the Sinnett family moved from Allahabad back to England, visiting the new Theosophical Society headquarters at Adyar along the way. Mr. Sinnett wrote: " I had already begun to write Esoteric Buddhism and went on with the work during our stay at Adyar."[1] He then described the incidents surrounding receipt of Mahatma Letter No. 108 in the "Shrine Room" in Blavatsky's quarters.
He published the bulk of the material composing the book in a series of articles written under the title of "Fragments of Occult Truth". They were published in The Theosophist on October (pp. 2-5) and November 1882 (pp. 46-48), and March (pp. 131-135), April (pp. 161-164), and May 1883 (pp. 194-195). The information for these articles came from the letters he received from Mahatmas K.H. and M., as well as discussions with H. P. Blavatsky.
Publication history
The book came off the press on June 10, 1883.[2] Shortly after it was published, there appeared in The Theosophist a very important series of articles titled, "Some Inquiries Suggested by Mr. Sinnett's Esoteric Buddhism." These were written, or caused to be written, by three adepts. Largely as a result of these articles, Sinnett prepared an "annotated and enlarged" edition of Esoteric Buddhism, which constitutes the 1885 fifth edition.
Mahatma comments
In Mahatma Letter No. 113, Master Koot Hoomi wrote:
Be certain, that with a few mistakes and omissions notwithstanding, your "Esoteric Buddhism" is the only right exposition — however incomplete — of our Occult doctrines. You have made no cardinal, fundamental mistakes; and whatever may be given to you hereafter will not clash with a single sentence in your book but on the contrary will explain away any seeming contradiction.[3]
Errors in Esoteric Buddhism
Book reviews
Additional resources
Electronic editions
Complete text of Esoteric Buddhism is available at these Websites:
- 1884 - Third Edition, London: Trubner & Co. at Blavatsky Archives. This 1884 edition has the same pagination & text as the original 1883 edition.
- 1885 - Fifth Edition, at Canadian Theosophical Association.
- 1885 - Fifth Edition, at a Russian Website
- 1885 - Fifth Edition, at Universal Theosophy
- 1889 - New American Edition, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1884, Internet Archive.
- More editions at HathiTrust.
Articles
- Blavatsky, H. P. "'Esoteric Buddhism' and Its Critic" Light, 1883. Available from Theosophy Net. (Also available in HPB's book A Modern Panarion.)
- Blavatsky, H. P. "Esoteric Buddhism and The Secret Doctrine" Available from Blavatsky Net and in Theosophical Articles, a 3-volume set of HPB's writings.
- Blavatsky, H. P. A Puzzle in "Esoteric Buddhism". Lucifer Vol 2. (May, 1888), 254. Letter from "An Agnostic Student of Theosophy" and response by HPB. Reprinted as a pamphlet by the Theosophy Company.
- Sinnett, A. P. "Esoteric Teaching". The Path 8.6 (September, 1893), 166. Available from Blavatsky Net.
- "Budhism is Inner Wisdom" by Philatheians. Discusses use of the words "Budhism" and "Buddhism" and the title of Sinnett's book.
Notes
- ↑ A. P. Sinnett, Early Days of Theosophy in Europe (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1922): 39.
- ↑ Vic Hao Chin, introduction to Letter 111, The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett in Chronological Sequence (Quezon City, Philippines: Theosophical Publishing House, 1883), 372.
- ↑ See pages 11-12 of Mahatma Letter No. 113 in the Chronological 4th edition, or letter 82 in the Barker numbering.