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Monad (μονάς ''monas'') is a Greek word for "unit". With the Pythagoreans it was a term for Divinity, the source or the One.
Monad (μονάς ''monas'') is a Greek word for "unit". With the Pythagoreans it was a term for Divinity, the source or the One.


In [[Theosophy]] monad refers to the two highest [[principles]], [[atman]] and [[buddhi]]. The monad, compelled by the [[circle of necessity]], engages in a process of [[evolution]] from which emerges as a triad after assimilating the essence of [[manas]] during the stage of human [[evolution]]:   
In [[Theosophy]] monad refers to the two highest [[principles]], [[ātman]] and [[buddhi]]. The monad, compelled by the [[circle of necessity]], engages in a process of [[evolution]] from which emerges as a triad after assimilating the essence of [[manas]] during the stage of human [[evolution]]:   


<blockquote>'''Monad''' (Gr.). The Unity, the one; but in Occultism it often means the unified triad, Atma-Buddhi-Manas, or the duad, Atma-Buddhi, that immortal part of man which reincarnates in the lower kingdoms, and gradually progresses through them to Man and then to the final goal— Nirvâna.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 216.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>'''Monad''' (Gr.). The Unity, the one; but in Occultism it often means the unified triad, Atma-Buddhi-Manas, or the duad, Atma-Buddhi, that immortal part of man which reincarnates in the lower kingdoms, and gradually progresses through them to Man and then to the final goal— Nirvâna.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 216.</ref></blockquote>

Revision as of 16:22, 5 April 2012

Monad (μονάς monas) is a Greek word for "unit". With the Pythagoreans it was a term for Divinity, the source or the One.

In Theosophy monad refers to the two highest principles, ātman and buddhi. The monad, compelled by the circle of necessity, engages in a process of evolution from which emerges as a triad after assimilating the essence of manas during the stage of human evolution:

Monad (Gr.). The Unity, the one; but in Occultism it often means the unified triad, Atma-Buddhi-Manas, or the duad, Atma-Buddhi, that immortal part of man which reincarnates in the lower kingdoms, and gradually progresses through them to Man and then to the final goal— Nirvâna.[1]

The dual Monad

Ātman and buddhi, being universal, are not endowed with individual consciousness. Therefore the dual Monad is not conscious:

The sixth and seventh principles apart from the rest constitute the eternal, imperishable, but also unconscious “Monad.”[2]

The triple Monad

When the dual Monad absorbs the highest attributes of the fifth principle or manas, it becomes conscious:

To awaken in it [the Monad] to life the latent consciousness, especially that of personal individuality, requires the monad plus the highest attributes of the fifth [principle].[3]


Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 216.
  2. Vicente Hao Chin, Jr. The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 68 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???
  3. Vicente Hao Chin, Jr. The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 68 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???