Triad

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Triad is a word to refer to a group of three elements. In philosophy and religion, triads, triangles, and trinities are prominent. H. P. Blavatsky said: "Everywhere antiquity slows an unbounded reverence for the Triad and Triangle--the first geometrical figure."[1]

Pre-Cosmic triad

The first triad is formed by the Absolute and its two aspects, the Pre-cosmic Ideation and Substance:

Considering this metaphysical triad as the Root from which proceeds all manifestation, the great Breath assumes the character of precosmic Ideation. It is the fons et origo of force and of all individual consciousness, and supplies the guiding intelligence in the vast scheme of cosmic Evolution. On the other hand, precosmic root-substance (Mulaprakriti) is that aspect of the Absolute which underlies all the objective planes of Nature.[2]

Cosmic triad

This is frequently the trinities of different religions, as the Hindu Trimurti, often presented in an anthropomorphic way.

The Third Logos is a Theosophical cosmic triad consisting of Cosmic Ideation, Cosmic Substance and Cosmic Energy or Fohat.


Another way to examine the pre-cosmic triad is that it consists of: Mulaprakriti, The Logos, and Daiviprakriti. This is stated elsewhere in the Secret Doctrine and is slightly different from the description in the Proem.

SD I,1,2 XII The Theogony of the Creative Gods p.430 ", according to Mr. Subba Row, as the first manifestation of Parabrahmam, “the highest trinity that we are capable of understanding,” which is Mulaprakriti (the veil), the Logos, and the conscious energy “of the latter,” or its power and light*;

/* Called, in the Bhagavat-Gita, Daiviprakriti. "

1[1]

A possible explanation for this difference lies in the fact that HPB may not have always agreed with Subba Row in some of these concepts. 2 [2] see paragraph 6

Human triad

The human Triad (sometimes called "higher triad" or "upper triad") is formed by the three higher principles, Atma, Buddhi and Manas, the fruition of the latter assimilated by the first two after every terrestrial life.[3] In other occasions, H. P. Blavatsky says that the triad corresponds to "Âtmâ-Buddhi and the “Envelope” which reflects their light, the three in one", the "envelope" referring to the auric egg.[4] This is the perennial individuality that reincarnates in different personalities.

Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 333.
  2. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 15.
  3. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 237.
  4. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 338.

Further reading