Programme for April 2016

BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 French Bridge, Mumbai 400007.

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
Fri     1	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Sun    3	10.00 am 10.30 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja BTF Council Meeting
Fri     8	6.00 PM	Bank Holiday – Lodge closed
Sun   10	10.30 am 10.30 am	To gather for preparation for the Ritual Mystic Star Ritual
Fri    15	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Fri    22	4.30 pm 6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge Managing Committee Meeting Members’ Meeting - Talk on ‘Demystifying Pathanjali’ by Bro. Arni Narendran
Sun   24	10.45 am	Maitreya Round Table
Fri    29	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Tues 5, 12, 19, 26	4.15 pm  5.30 pm	Yoga Session conducted by Shernaz Vatchha SS Meeting Members’ Meetings to read & discuss ‘Lives of Alcyone’

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

 THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION

Volume 85

—

No.7

–

April  2016

Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

CONTENTS

Quote of Mahatma Gandhi	Cover
Blavatsky Lodge invite for M.C. Nominations	2
News & Notes	2 - 3
‘Compassion’ by Chittranjan Satapathy	4 - 9
Poems by Sis. Freny Paghdiwala, Nature Inspired	9 - 10
BTF & Lodge Programmes April 2016	11 - 12

NEWS & NOTES

NOMINATION NOTICE BLAVATSKY LODGE MANAGING COMMITTEE INVITES NOMINATIONS for Election to the following positions for the Managing Committee of the Blavatsky Lodge, T.S., for the term of two years 2016-2018:           (1) President   (2) Vice-President (3) Treasurer and     (4) SEVEN members of the Managing Committee Nomination slips are available with Lodge Assistant Sis Asha Mhatre. These slips duly filled in and signed by the Nominee and the Proposer / Seconder (Blavatsky Lodge members) should be handed over to Election Officer Bro. Khosrav D Pavri latest by 22nd April 2016.

SHANTI LODGE MUSICAL EVENING on 26th February 2016 was a delightful evening listening to Junior & Senior Choirs of Sis. Freny Paghdiwala. There were Old Favorites, songs with spiritual messages and songs about beautiful Nature. Sis Freny, who has taught music over 50 years, explained that the purpose of her Choir is to learn & appreciate music, to sing for joy of singing and to spread joy around.

************************************************Editor – Bro. Rustom R. Dalal     Cover Page By: Sis. Kashmira Khambatta

Editorial Committee – Sis. Mahazaver Dalal (in charge of Mailing List), Sis.  Kashmira Khambatta,  Sis. Aban Patel and Ex-Officio: President Dr. Ajay Hora, Secretary  Sis. Aban Amroliwalla.  Note: News, Notes and Programmes to be printed in the Bulletin, be forwarded by e-mail to: rrpdalal@hotmail.com    or kashmirakhambatta@yahoo.com latest by 16th each month.

PAVRI’S Book "Theosophy Explained in Questions and Answers” added to Jalbhai CD Library‏ by Bro. NAVIN KUMAR:It was a an inexplicable inspiration which  compelled him to spend about 25 hours on the computer to extract the text of this book page by page from Million Book Project The texts were corrected & reformatted for word & PDF formats.
Bro. Navin Kumar has created a web library on the net called “Jalbhai CD Library” containing most of the important books on Theosophy. Jalbhai CD Library is available on the following link:https://sites.google.com/site/thegrandoldmanofblavatskylodge/home

This particular book is place in cupboard 1 of that website. Brethren, who are internet inclined, may avail of this opportunity to read the book

BLAVATSKY LODGE PROGRAMMES:

‘Happiness Unlimited’ by Brihmakumari Shivani: There was screening of about 28 talks of Brihmakumari Shivani followed by discussions. At the end of the series of Talks, Bro. Navin Kumar screened PPP of summarized talks with captions of key messages.

Study of ‘Demystifying Patanjali Yoga’: Bro. Arnie Narendran is currently conducting the study. Bro. Navin Kumar at the following meetings presents PPP on the portions covered  with summary of explanations.

In month of March 2016 the Movie ‘Anna Karenina’ based on Tolstoy’s Novel was screened over four turns, with a purpose to understand how a person creates his own Destiny.

Sis Kashmira Khambatta presented ‘Introduction to The Lives of Alcyone’. Now the stories of his lives will be read and discussed by the members at Tuesday meetings

From April 2016 on Fridays,  Sis. Aban Patel will conduct the study of Annie Besant & C.W. Leadebeater’s occult book ‘MAN.. Whence, How and Whither’. This great book is out of print. Do not miss the chance of learning about MAN’s origin and his ultimate goal.

COMPASSION

IN DIFFERENT SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS

Chittaranjan Satapathy

International Vice President, the T. S

    Talk delivered at the International Convention, on Jan 3,2016

 ****

Compassion is a virtue in every major tradition and is also central to each religion. Compassion implies a feeling of oneness with the other, not merely feeling pity for somebody. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, compassion is equated with karuna. A different expression daya is used to imply mercy, kindness and sometimes pity. Some of these expressions are often used interchangeably due to lack of clarity and deeper understanding. Theosophical teachings greatly value the virtue of compassion for spiritual growth and enlightenment. In The Voice of the Silence, which is the final gift of HPB to all of us, it is said that Compassion is no attribute and cannot be destroyed. Compassion is the law of laws – eternal Harmony – the law of love eternal. In the Laws of the Higher Life, Dr. Besant says: ‘Every scripture declares that the Heart of the Divine Life is Infinite Compassion. Compassionate, then, must be the spiritual man’. In view of the importance accorded to compassion, we are examining the same in the context of different traditions and religions.

Hinduism

In classical Hindu literature, compassion is recognized as a great virtue and is expressed in different terms, the most common ones being karuna, daya and anukampa. Karuna particularly implies an effort to understand others from their perspective. Words like karuna sindhu (ocean of compassion) and karuna nidhana (abode of compassion) are the names given to the important Hindu deities Krishna and Rama. Buddha came to be recognized subsequently as one of the ten avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The Dasaavatara Strota (hymn to ten avataras) eulogizes his compassion and the steps he took to stop animal sacrifice. These examples amply demonstrate that karuna as a virtue is given the highest importance in Hinduism. The vedic texts enjoin extending compassion not only to human beings but to every living being.

Compassion is a state in which one sees all living beings as part of one’s own self and every one’s suffering is seen as one’s own suffering. It is extended to all, including those who are strangers and even those who may be inimical. Daya (mercy) is defined in Padma Purana as the virtuous desire to mitigate sorrow and difficulties of others by putting forth whatever efforts are necessary. Anukampa, a similar expression, refers to one’s state after one has observed and understood others’ pain or suffering .    

Therefore, compassion is not pity (kripa) as the former implies feeling of oneness with the sufferer whereas pity may suggest merely feeling sorry for him accompanied by condescension.

An ancient Hindu Tamil text, Thirikkural which is very popular in south India says: “Find and follow the good path and be ruled by compassion. For if the various ways are examined, compassion will prove the means to liberation” (Thirukkural 25:241-242).

Patanjali in his Yogasutra highlights the importance of compassion ( karuna ) along with the other three virtues namely maîtri, mudita, and upeksha.

Sikhism

Sikhism equally considers compassion to be a great virtue. Guru Granth Sahib goes on to say: ‘You have no compassion; the Lord’s Light does not shine in you. You are drowned, drowned in worldly entanglements’.

A Sikh is enjoined to feel the pain and suffering of other people involved in any tragedy and compassion is considered to be a divine quality. In the Sikh scripture, God is called mahadaial (super compassionate), daialpati (lord of compassion), and daial dev (merciful God).

Jainism 

Jainism emphasizes observance of verbal and mental compassion in addition to compassion for all living beings. Lord Mahavira adopted supreme compassion in His life even towards poisonous snakes. The Jain tenet, ahimsa paramo dharma, stems from compassion for all, which enjoins living beings to render service to one and another.

Christianity

The Hebrew and Greek words translated as ‘compassion’ in the Bible means sympathy, mercy and pity. The Bible describes God as compassionate and gracious, abounding in love, and his compassion is described as unfailing, infinite and eternal. Compassion is said to arise in us when we are confronted with those who suffer and it produces action to alleviate their suffering. In Christian literature, being compassionate is also equated with being tender hearted and acting kindly. God’s compassion is given freely and tenderly like the mother’s compassion for a child. God’s compassion is characterized by acts of kindness and concern for human suffering. Duty towards God in Christian literature includes compassionate care for people including neighbors. Christ is considered to be the Father of Compassion characterized by notions of tenderness and affection, and the believers are required to be imitators of Christ to live a life of love and care for others.

Islam

Islam is much misunderstood today because of the horrendous acts of terrorism by some. Many people both non-Muslims as well as Muslims wrongly think that the concept of Jihad is central to Islam. However, this is not true. Firstly, jihad literally means striving to serve the purposes of God. It is understood that jihad encompasses religious duties to maintain the religion as well as inner spiritual struggle, the latter being more important.

Secondly it is compassion which represents the true spirit of Islam as in the case of other spiritual traditions. In the Islamic tradition Allah is referred to as the Merciful and the Compassionate. In the Arabic language in which the Quran is written, the words used are Rahman and Rahim. One hundred thirteen chapters of the Quran out of a hundred and fourteen begin with the verse ‘In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful’. The Muslims are urged in their scriptures to show compassion towards everyone including the poor, the widows, the orphans and even the captives. They pay Zakat (mandatory giving rather than sadaqa – voluntary giving), which goes to help the poor and the needy. When they fast during the month of Ramadan, it helps them to empathize with the hunger pangs of the less fortunate and enhances their sensitivity to the suffering of others. Prophet Mohammad is referred to as the ‘Mercy of the World’. He is quoted as saying, ‘God is more loving and kind than a mother to her dear child’. As in the case of other traditions, in the Islamic tradition also, compassion which implies suffering with others is considered to be a virtue. It is said in the Quran that God has created man in his image and amongst all His divine qualities, compassion and mercy are considered the highest. Therefore, for a Muslim, compassion and mercy become the highest ideals to be realized. There is no doubt that compassion occupies a central place along with the virtues of loving, caring and showing mercy. The Quran particularly emphasizes compassion to parents, children, spouse, relatives, orphans, sick and suffering neighbours and wayfarers.

The Sufis lay great importance to compassion and their very fundamental doctrine is called ‘Sulh-i-kul’, that is peace with all, which in other words means no violence and no aggressiveness.

Judaism   

In the Jewish tradition, God is invoked as the Father of Compassion and hence is referred to as a compassionate (Rahmana). The Rabbis speak of the thirteen attributes of compassion. the conception of compassion is likened to a feeling of a parent for the child. The word Rihim comes from the Hebrew word Rehem, the mother. In Judaism compassion includes sorrow and pity for one in distress, creating a desire to relieve, and lack of compassion is characterized as cruelty. Judaism uses words like compassion, empathy, altruism and love interchangeably. However, an in depth examination makes it clear that compassion is more than simply a human emotion. Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition puts it this way: ‘Kindness gives to another. Compassion knows no other’. It is also said that compassion is the basis of love.

Buddhism 

Compassion or Karuna is at the very heart of Buddha’s teachings. When he was asked by Ananda as to whether cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is a part of our practice, Buddha replied in the negative. He said cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is not part of our practice but is all of our practice. It is said that the ultimate wish of the Buddha was to relieve the suffering of all living beings everywhere. The Dalai Lama says, “If you want others to be happy practice compassion. if you want to be happy practice compassion” in Buddhism loving kindness ( metta / maître ) and compassion are complementary virtues – the former has the characteristic of wishing for the happiness and welfare of others whereas compassion has the characteristic of wishing others to be free from suffering which is extended to all living beings. 

Conclusion

In most traditions, compassion is differentiated from pity. While pity may be condescending, compassion arises from a sense of equality and interconnectedness of life. Compassion presupposes respect for dignity of life – ours as well as others.

As such compassion has little to do with sentimentality or mere pity. Pity which springs from emotions and sentimentality, alone cannot relieve suffering and bring joy. On the other hand compassion belongs to a higher spiritual level which arises from prajna or wisdom. In fact wisdom and compassion go together and you cannot have one without the other. It is through wisdom,  prajna that one understands the suffering of the others and through compassion one helps to remove that suffering. The enlightened ones remain with us as teachers and liberators because of their immense compassion, karuna . The Great Ones can truly be described as compassion embodied.

We are told that the quickest way to spiritual growth is the path of compassion. And the reason why this is so is not difficult to guess. Through compassion we put to use our noblest and loftiest   and most divine faculties, we assume responsibility towards one and all, universal responsibility if you wish, and that leads to end of separateness. A state of non- separateness, identification with all, is a sure indication of wisdom. Compassion, universal responsibility, non-separateness and wisdom are multiple facets of spiritual life. That is why, all spiritual traditions, without exception, enjoin us to be compassionate.

********************************************************

 Poems by Sis Freny Paghdiwala, Nature inspired

                    

             PEACE IN PANCHGANI

Mountains & hills, valleys & plains

Amid the green, nestled within

Lies every soul, longing for peace

Cattle & farms, birds & the bees

Singing & humming, welcoming the Spring

Young & old, poor & rich

Each one is wanting & seeking for Peace

Where will they find it?

Oh! Where?  Oh! Where?

Nowhere except “Deep down Within”

             JUHU BEACH

Waves, waves of the Arabian Sea

White, green & blue of colours three

The setting Sun is shining bright

Throwing on the sands its golden light

Countless humans walk around

Where else can such Joy be found?

             MOTHER NATURE

Little flowers (2)

How gentle & true

With Mother Nature’s Blessings

How beautifully you grow

Little leaves (2)

How tender & green

With little bit of human touch

How joyfully you spring

Little birds (2)

How delightful your songs

That make most human hearts rejoice

When other things go wrong

Flowers, leaves, birds and all

Spring up at Mother Nature’s Call

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1)       Grace is only to be found by effort,

           Although it is here and now.

2)        The highest form of grace is silence

3)         Appreciating the mind as

‘All Silence I Am’

Is Meditation.

4)          Out of purity and silence comes the word power.

5)         The end of ego is the ‘Mystic Death’ of the meditator.

Golden Sayings (Central Chinmaya Mission Trust)               

BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES MARCH 2016

   1. ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049. Sunday 17th April 2016 at 12.00 noon. Contact Dr. Smruti Hora Tel: 26151060 for details

2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 French Bridge, Mumbai 400007.

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
Fri     1	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Sun    3	10.00 am 10.30 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja BTF Council Meeting
Fri     8	6.00 PM	Bank Holiday – Lodge closed
Sun   10	10.30 am 10.30 am	To gather for preparation for the Ritual Mystic Star Ritual
Fri    15	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Fri    22	4.30 pm 6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge Managing Committee Meeting Members’ Meeting - Talk on ‘Demystifying Pathanjali’ by Bro. Arni Narendran
Sun   24	10.45 am	Maitreya Round Table
Fri    29	6.00 pm	Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
Tues 5, 12, 19, 26	4.15 pm  5.30 pm	Yoga Session conducted by Shernaz Vatchha SS Meeting Members’ Meetings to read & discuss ‘Lives of Alcyone’

3. CENTENARY LODGE: 

Will inform when they are able to hold meeting.

4. JYOTI LODGE: Contact Bro. Taral Munshi, c/o Dr. Ajay Hora, B-7, Juhu   Theosophical Colony, Mumbai 400049 Tel 26151060

5. SHANTI LODGE: C/o Bro. Rustom Dalal, Vijay Niwas, 2nd Floor, Plot    5, Sleater Road, Mumbai 400007    

Thursdays at 6.15 p.m.

7	Study of C. W. Leadbeater’s book ‘Man Visible & Invisible’ Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (at Blavatsky Lodge)