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'''''The Key to Theosophy''''' is a book published in 1889 by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] to introduce readers to [[Theosophy]] and the [[Theosophical Society]] in an accessible question-and-answer format.
== Writing and publication ==
The cost of publication was paid by an American, Edward Parker.
== Appendix to 1889 edition ==
A two-page appendix on '''"The Legal Status of the Theosophical Society"''' was contributed by an American judge from St. Louis, '''Augustus W. Alexander'''. The document was subtitled:
<blockquote>
The following Official Report, on which was granted a Decree of Incorporation to the St. Louis Theosophical Society, is an important document, as putting on record the view taken of the Theosophical Society &ndash; after a careful examination of witnesses on oath &ndash; by an American Court of Law.<ref>Augustus W. Alexander. "The Legal Status of the Theosophical Society." Appendix to [https://blavatskyarchives.com/theosophypdfs/blavatsky_the_key_to_theosophy_1889.pdf ''The Key to Theosophy''] by H. P. Blavatsky. (London and New York: Theosophical Publishing Company, 1889), 309-310.</ref>
</blockquote>
Judge Alexander filed an ''amicus curiae'' brief making the case that incorporating under the statutory phrase "society formed for religious purposes" does not apply only to an organization established to practice a religion, but to one such as the Theosophical Society that encourages a study of religions. He wrote, "To teach religions is educational, not religious." The Theosophical Society in St. Louis was consequently able to incorporate.
== Editions ==


{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Key to Theosophy'' (book)}}
1889 edition:
* [http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/key/key-hp.htm Theosophical University Press] - digitized text
* [https://universaltheosophy.com/hpb/keytotheosophy.html Universal Theosophy] - digitized text with corrected spelling of foreign terms [in progress]
* [http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/aKEY.htm ULT Phoenix] - digitized text
* [http://blavatskyarchives.com/theosophypdfs/blavatsky_the_key_to_theosophy_1889.pdf Blavatsky Archives] - PDF scanned from original
 
2006 edition:
* [http://www.theosophytrust.org/Online_Books/The_Key_to_Theosophy_V1.5.pdf Theosophy Trust] - searchable PDF
 
== Reviews ==
 
=== Mohandas Gandhi ===
 
[[Mohandas K. Gandhi]] spoke of ''The Key to Theosophy'' in his autobiography:
:"This book stimulated in me the desire to read books on Hinduism, and disabused me of the notion fostered by the missionaries that Hinduism was rife with superstition."<ref>[http://www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org/autobio/chap20.htm Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, Chapter 20]</ref>
 
==Online resources==
===Articles===
*[http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/StudiesInTheOceanOfTheosophy/index.html# Notes on ''The Key to Theosophy'' (20-part series)] at WisdomWorld.org
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/key-theosophy Key to Theosophy, The] in Theosophy World
 
===Audio===
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=00D29EF0-ED72-49F4-B2C3-AB62246F4330# The Key to Theosophy (7 parts)] by John Algeo and Anton Lysy
 
===Video===
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=3B9AE5C8-BED2-428B-90E5-44EAD406FA80# Studies in the Key to Theosophy (2 Parts)] by Ralph Hannon


== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Books|Key to Theosophy, The]]
[[Category:Books|Key to Theosophy, The]]

Latest revision as of 03:11, 24 November 2023

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The Key to Theosophy is a book published in 1889 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky to introduce readers to Theosophy and the Theosophical Society in an accessible question-and-answer format.

Writing and publication

The cost of publication was paid by an American, Edward Parker.

Appendix to 1889 edition

A two-page appendix on "The Legal Status of the Theosophical Society" was contributed by an American judge from St. Louis, Augustus W. Alexander. The document was subtitled:

The following Official Report, on which was granted a Decree of Incorporation to the St. Louis Theosophical Society, is an important document, as putting on record the view taken of the Theosophical Society – after a careful examination of witnesses on oath – by an American Court of Law.[1]

Judge Alexander filed an amicus curiae brief making the case that incorporating under the statutory phrase "society formed for religious purposes" does not apply only to an organization established to practice a religion, but to one such as the Theosophical Society that encourages a study of religions. He wrote, "To teach religions is educational, not religious." The Theosophical Society in St. Louis was consequently able to incorporate.

Editions

1889 edition:

2006 edition:

Reviews

Mohandas Gandhi

Mohandas K. Gandhi spoke of The Key to Theosophy in his autobiography:

"This book stimulated in me the desire to read books on Hinduism, and disabused me of the notion fostered by the missionaries that Hinduism was rife with superstition."[2]

Online resources

Articles

Audio

Video

Notes

  1. ↑ Augustus W. Alexander. "The Legal Status of the Theosophical Society." Appendix to The Key to Theosophy by H. P. Blavatsky. (London and New York: Theosophical Publishing Company, 1889), 309-310.
  2. ↑ Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, Chapter 20
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