BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M): 9821459504 (M): 9819334333
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
Sun 2
|
10.00 am
10.30 am
|
Bharat Samaj Pooja
BTF Council Meeting
|
Fri 7
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Fri 14
|
5.45 pm
6.15 pm
|
To gather for Ritual preparations
Mystic Star Ritual
|
Fri 21
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’ Meeting - Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Sun 23
|
10.45 am
|
Maitreya Round Table
|
Fri 28
|
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
|
Blavatsky Lodge Managing Committee Meeting
Members’ Meeting for Readings & Discussion
|
Tues 4, 11,18,25
|
5.45 pm
|
Reading and discussion on Lives of Alcyone by AB and CWL presented by Sis Navaz Dhalla
|
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF
THE BOMBAY
THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION
Volume
86
|
—
|
No.7
|
–
|
April
2017
|
CONTENTS
Quote Gautama Buddha
|
Cover
|
Appeal
for Ex Gratia help for Ganpat
|
2 - 3
|
Adyar Day Meeting
& Blavatsky Lodge Wrap Up Session on ‘Patanjali Yoga sutra’
|
3 - 6
|
Was C.W.Leadbeater born in 450-550 B.C.?
|
6 - 7
|
‘The Power of
Prayer’ by Dr. L. J. D’Souza
|
8 - 10
|
BTF & Lodge Programmes April 2017
|
11 - 12
|
NEWS & NOTES
BRETHREN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SPONTANEOUS RESPONSE TO AN
APPEAL FOR EX-GRATIA HELP FOR GANPAT printed in BTF Bulletin of March 2017 to send
donations to Blavatsky Lodge TS. The septuagenarian
loyal and faithful worker Ganpat has just retired after serving at Blavatsky
Lodge for over 50 years. He has served BTF also. The initial donations were
received from about 30 members. Their names were mentioned with grateful
thanks in March 2017 Bulletin. The stream of donations has continued from
earlier & new donors. Our most
sincere thanks to Brethren, Lodges &
Sympathizers: The Donors are: Vasanta Lodge and Brethren: Navin Kumar, Lily
Nariman, Cyrus Pastakia, Pervin Pastakia, Kashmira Pastakia, Jasmine Cawasji,
Kashmira Khambatta, Janardan Sherigar, Arni Narendran, Katy Bhagat, Rustom
Dalal, Mahazaver Dalal and Freny Paghdiwala.
"Little drops of water, little grains of sand
Make the
mighty ocean and the pleasant land.
Little acts of kindness, little deeds of love
Make this
earth like the heaven above."
*************************************************************
Editor – Bro. Rustom R. Dalal
Cover Page By: Sis. Kashmira Khambatta
Editorial Committee – Sis. Mahazaver Dalal (Reporter in charge
of Mailing List), Sis. Kashmira
Khambatta, Sis. Aban Patel and Ex-Officio:
President Bro. Vinayak Pandya. 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.
Remembering the old saying we request other members of the TS in
Mumbai or elsewhere in India to consider making one small donation
for helping Ganpat.
As indicated earlier the donations should be by crossed Cheques in
favour of "Blavatsky Lodge T.S." with donor’s name, Pan Card Number
and stating 'for Ex Gratia Help for Ganpat' at the back of the Cheque. The
Donation Form was printed in March 2017 Bulletin. It will be available from Blavatsky Lodge
Assistant Sis. Asha (Tel: 23685026). The Receipts with
80G Exemption will be issued to the donors.
The amount so collected will be passed on to Ganpat in staggered
installments in consultation with him.
****************
ADYAR DAY MEETING Jointly by BTF & Blavatsky Lodge on 17th February
2017 evening in Besant Hall: The Meeting was opened with the Prayers of All Religions & the
Universal Prayer. BTF President Bro.
Vinayak Pandya was in the Chair with Blavatsky Lodge President Sis. Kashmira
Khambatta. Bro. Viayak Pandya opened the Meeting explaining the
significance of Adyar Day. He added that it is a day to be tuned with gratitude
to the Masters’ place Adyar. Sis. Kashmira Khambatta conducted the Meeting.
Sis. Ruby Khan speaking on Adyar Day said
that Adyar with its beauty is a Sacred Lagoon. She spoke about how Adyar was
developed with H.Q., other buildings and other TS activity buildings. It is a
day to remember and thank ALL who have worked for spreading Theosophy and
serving Theosophical Society.
Sis. Aban Amroliwalla speaking about extra ordinary qualities of Col.
H. S. Olcott said
before Col. H.S. Olcott met Madame H.P. Blavatsky, he heard a call from another
world and answered it with his unquestioned commitment to the Masters. HSO, an
American, made India his home and continuously working for realization of human
unity he became a true citizen of the world. He became a National Hero of Sri
Lanka for reconciliation of all schools of Buddhist thoughts. The Occult
Hierarchy used HSO as the Chief Organizer & Executor of TS and encouraged
him with their material presence. Master KH writes, ‘Him we can trust under all
circumstances, and his faithful service is pledged to us come well, come
ill…..where can we find an equal devotion?”
Bro. Khusrov Pavri paid tributes to Giordano
Bruno, an early incarnation of Annie Besant. Giordano was a great orator,
writer and philosopher. For the Truth he spok,e he was declared atheist and was
burnt alive. It is said that he went to a higher plane in a Chariot of Fire.
Sis. Aban Patel surprised all with her opening words ‘Bishop C. W. Leadbeater was born
somewhere in 450 to 550 B.C. (Her explanation is narrated separately in this
Bulletin. Do read.) And it is also true that after 2300 years later CWL was
born on 17th February 1854 in London. He had joined TS in 1883 when he became
an associate of Annie Besant. Though HPB had looked at him searchingly at the
first meeting, he writes about her, ‘I wish I could convey to my readers some
adequate conception of what she was to me and all who had come in close touch
with her, the deep affection and intense enthusiasm which she evoked.’ Aban
spoke about his clairvoyant discoveries which provided details of the occult
effects of all that he could see with his inner eyes. She mentioned names of
some of his 69 books. She added how blessed she felt with the opportunity to
study CWL’s few books and to share her study with Brethren at Blavatsky Lodge.
Bro. Berthram
Redwood, who
had opportunities to listen to Shri J. Krishnamurthy
said this Messiah was identified by CWL. The
Higher Intelligence had transmitted
Divine Knowledge to JK. Whatever JK spoke was Theosophy. His life was a life of
Love, Understanding & Respect for all Life. He spoke about Self-Knowledge
and advised all ‘to be in Present’ always.
Bro. Navin
Kumar showed a Video on Adyar, which
was the recording of International
President Tim Boyd’s PPP at an American Convention in January 2015. The
video starting with maps of Adyar covered the landscape, HQ & other
buildings, Shrines & Temples, Amphi Theater, Palm Groves & River Path,
Nature in abundance with plants, birds, insects & animal lives, garden
workers, International Convention, archival artifacts like HPB’s Cup and long
term planning for 100 year old buildings of Adyar, which needed repairs.
The Diplomas were presented to New Members by BTF President Bro.
Vinayak Pandya. The Meeting was ended with recitation of Sanskrit Universal
Prayer.
***********
BLAVATSKY LODGE WRAP UP SESSION ON ‘PATANJALI
YOGASUTRA’ at Aarey Colony on 18th February 2017: In beautiful Natural
Surrounding of Aarey Milk Colony about 15 Brethren gathered again for one more
interactive wrap up session. Bro. Arni
Narendra, who had conducted the study of ‘Patanjali Yogasutra’ at Blavatsky Lodge opened the Wrap Up
Session. He said: Yoga is a Science and believes in a Temple of Living God.
Body is outside, Mind is inside and Soul connects the two. We are born to go
through experiences to evolve with Self-Realization. Yogic practice started
with stable mind, and overcoming agitation & negativity and concentrating
on positive thoughts leads to Dharna,
Dhyana and Samadhi, the ultimate realization of ‘Kevalya’ - ‘Sat Chit Anand’. Goal of life is the union of Atma with Parmatma. His talk was
followed by sharing of spiritual experiences and information by Brethren
Khurov Pavri, Rustom Cooper, Aban Patel, Aban Amroliwalla, Berthram Redwood
& Navin Kumar. Not quantity, but quality of aspirants was emphasized. TS is
a process of strict selection. One comes to TS by Divine Grace. While ES prepares
its members for the 6th Root Race the Co-freemasonry is really a
preparation, millions of years in advance, for the 7th Root Race
wherein Beauty & Ceremonials will permeate all aspects of life. Sis. Shernaz Vatchha expounded on Shiva-Sutra. She said Shiva is the
ultimate Reality with the Trinity comprising of Vishnu on his Right and Brahma
on his Left. He is thought of also as ‘Rudra’.
No one understands Shiva. His existence is beyond our thoughts. Shernaz had
added that ‘Chit’ is Universal
Consciousness. Live a good life, have compassion, respect & learn from
others, overcome fear and practice going within to find the spiritual way. - Compiled
by Sis. Navaz Dhalla
***********
WAS C.W.LEADBEATER BORN IN 450-550
B.C.?
Interesting Information shared by Sis. Aban Patel
At Adyar Day Meeting of 17-2-2017
Now close your eyes and go back
to that era when in Greece the great Philosophers & Thinkers were born. C.W. Leadbeater in his book ‘How
Theosophy came to me?’ in the very beginning writes: My first touch
with anything that could definitely be called Theosophy was in the year 504
B.C., when I had the wonderful honour and pleasure of visiting the great
philosopher Pythagoras, who in this incarnation is Master K.H. I had taken
birth in one of the Eupatride families of Greece (Ancient Greek Nobility) at
Athens. Pythagoras’ principal disciple was Kleineas, now the Master Dijwal Kul,
who was exceedingly kind and patiently explained the system of Pythagorean
Philosophy, doctrine of re-incarnation, etc. It was in a Greek island of Samos
that we found Pythagoras, who was of very advanced age and very near his death.
When I had to leave the old aging Pythagoras, the aged philosopher blessed me and said “We shall meet again”.
Young Leadbeater, when he heard about the
passing away of old Pythagoras, he wondered in what sense he could have meant
these words. But when in this present incarnation he had the privilege to meet
Master K.H. he recalled to his memory that scene of long ago when Master K.H. said, “Did I not tell
you we should meet again?”
Almost after 2300 years later, Bishop
Charles Leadbeater was born on 17th February 1854. CWL in his book writes that
‘may be owing to my exclusive devotion to the higher thought that I had an
unusually long period in the heaven world just over 2300 years’. CWL further
adds that when he arrived in this incarnation he had no definite memory of all
that he had learnt. In his early life he knew nothing whatever of occultism or
psychic matters. It all came later. He grew up at a time when people did not
believe much in God and less so in life beyond death. He knew the answers but
could not argue in his defense. He was a priest of the Anglican Church of
England, but his interest in spiritualism/occultism caused him to end his affiliation
with Anglicanism.
***************************************************
‘A hundred times a day
I remind myself
That my inner & outer life are the result of
The efforts made by others
Both living & dead
And that I must
Exert myself as much as
I have received and am still receiving.’
Author Anonymous (1967)
Shared by Bro. Rustom R. Dalal
THE
POWER OF PRAYER
Courtesy Dr. Luzito J. de
Souza
Eminent Surgeon and
Oncologist
From Prologue of his book
‘The Power of Prayer and The Mercy of God’
Some
time ago I read a very touching article on “The Power of Prayer”. I have tried
to verify its authenticity but have not yet been successful. However, it has a
ring of truth and hence, I have produced it below:
Dr.
Mark, a well known Cancer Specialist was once on his way to an important
Conference in another city where he was to receive an Award in the field of
Medical Research.
He
was very excited to attend the Conference and was desperate to reach as soon as
possible. He had worked long and hard, done his Research and felt his efforts
deserved the Award he was about to obtain. However, two hours after the plane
took off, the plane made an emergency landing at the nearest airport due to
some technical snag. Afraid that he would not make it in time for the Conference,
Dr. Mark immediately went to the reception and found that the next flight to
his destination was well after ten hours. The receptionist suggested that he
can rent a car and drive himself to the Conference city. It was only four hours
away.
Having no other choice he agreed to the idea, despite his hatred for
driving long distances. Dr. Mark rented a car and started his journey. However,
soon after he left, the weather suddenly changed and a heavy storm began. The
pouring rain made it difficult to see and he missed a turn he was supposed to
take. After two hours driving he was convinced he was lost. Driving in the
heavy rain on a deserted road, feeling hungry and tired, he frantically began
to look for any sign of civilization. After some time, he finally came across a
small tattered house.
Desperately
he got out of the car and knocked on the door. A beautiful lady opened the
door. He explained his predicament and asked her if he could use her telephone.
However, the lady told him that she did not have a phone or any electronic
gadget. She told the Doctor to come inside and wait till the weather improved.
Hungry,
wet and exhausted, the Doctor accepted her offer and walked in. the lady gave
him hot tea and something to eat. The lady told him that he can join her in
prayer. Dr. Mark said that he believed in hard work only and told her to
continue with her prayers. Sitting at the table and sipping the tea, the Doctor
watched the woman in the dim candle light as she prayed next to what happened
to be a small baby crib. Every time she finished the prayer, she would start
another one. Feeling that the woman might be in need of help, the Doctor seized
the opportunity as soon as she finished her prayer. The Doctor asked her what
exactly she wanted from God and enquired whether God would ever listen to her
prayers. He further asked about the small child in the crib for whom she was
apparently praying. The lady gave a sad smile and said that the child in the
crib is her son, who was suffering from a rare type of Cancer and there was
only one Doctor Mark who could cure him. But she did not have money to afford
his fee. And moreover, he lived in another far off town. She said that God had
not answered her prayer so far, but added that God would create some way out some
day, adding that she would not allow her fears to overcome her faith.
Stunned
and speechless, Dr. Mark was in tears which were rolling down his cheeks. He
whispered “God is Great”. And
recollected the sequence of events – there was a malfunction of the plane, a
thunderstorm hit, and he lost his way. And all this happened because God did
not just answer her prayer but also gave him a chance to come out of the
materialistic world and give some time to the poor, helpless people who have
nothing to offer, but rich prayer! [The
above story about how a Visible Helper was guided by the Divine Grace, reminds
us of Bishop Charles W. Leadbeater’s book ‘Invisible Helpers’ -
Editor]
********************************************************************
Statement of
Ownership and other Particulars
FORM IV
Place of
Publication Mumbai
Periodicity of
Publication Monthly
Printer’s Name Vijay Copy
Centre
Whether citizen of
India Yes
Address 48/A,
Saidunnisa Building, Sleater Rd.
Opp.
Grant Road Station (West)
Mumbai 400007
Publishers Name Rustom R. Dalal, The Editor of
The Bombay Theosophical
Federation
Whether Citizen of
India Yes
Address
7, French Bridge, Chowpatty
Mumbai 400 007
Editor’s
Name
Rustom R. Dalal
Whether Citizen of
India Yes
Address C/o. Bombay Theosophical
Federation
7, French Bridge, Mumbai 400 007
Name & Address
of individuals who own the newspaper and Partners of
shareholders
holding more than 1% total capital
N.A.
I, Rustom R.
Dalal, the Editor of The Bombay Theosophical Bulletin, hereby declare that the particulars given
above are true to the best of my knowledge & belief.
Dated
5-3-2017
Sd. R. R. Dalal (
Publisher )
**********************
“Whatever you are
doing,
if and when you
succeed,
will be a
beginning
and not a
completion.”
- Sri Aurobindo
BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES APRIL 2017
1. ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical
Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049. Contact
Ananda Lodge Secretary Sis. Zenobia Khodaiji (M): 9820308163 / Ananda Lodge Representative
to BTF Sis. Anjoo Narain (M): 9820132473 for
April 2017 Meeting
2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 -
French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M):
9821459504 (M): 9819334333
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
Sun 2
|
10.00 am
10.30 am
|
Bharat
Samaj Pooja
BTF
Council Meeting
|
Fri 7
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’
Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither”
conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Fri 14
|
5.45 pm
6.15 pm
|
To gather for Ritual preparations
Mystic
Star Ritual
|
Fri 21
|
6.00
pm
|
Members’
Meeting - Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither”
conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Sun 23
|
10.45 am
|
Maitreya
Round Table
|
Fri 28
|
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
|
Blavatsky
Lodge Managing Committee Meeting
Members’
Meeting for Readings & Discussion
|
Tues
4, 11,18,25
|
5.45 pm
|
Reading
and discussion on Lives of Alcyone by AB and CWL presented by Sis Navaz
Dhalla
|
3. CENTENARY LODGE:
Please contact Sis. Najma Dewan (M):
9987204038
4. JYOTI LODGE: C/o Bro. Taral Munshi, C/101, Building
No.19, New Mhada, Garden Hill C.H.S., New Mhada Colony, Behind N.P.A., Goregaon
(East), Mumbai 400065 (M): 9820187317
5. SHANTI
LODGE:
C/o Bro. Rustom Dalal, Vijay Niwas, 2nd Floor, Plot 5, Sleater Road, Mumbai 400007 Tel: 23800422
Thursdays at 6.15 p.m. (M): 9833131216
6
|
Study of
P. Pavri’s Book ‘The Living Wisdom’
|
13
|
Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (at Blavatsky Lodge)
|
20
|
Study of
P. Pavri’s Book ‘The Living Wisdom’
|
27
|
Study of
P. Pavri’s Book ‘The Living Wisdom’
|
6. UNITY YOUTH LODGE: Sis.
Soonoo Vesuna (M): 9619339787
Wed 19
|
5.30 pm
|
Theosophical
readings guided by Sis. Soonoo Vesuna at her residence Vijay Niwas, 4th
Floor, Sleater Road
|
7 & 8 VASANTA LODGE & GANESH LODGE: C/O Dr. Ajay Hora, Kamla Sadan 1st Floor, Pherozsha
Mehta Rd., Santa Cruz West, Mumbai 400054. (M): 9820302371 (M): 9892147659
Wednesday 5, 12, 19 & 26 Meetings at
6.30 pm.
9. VIMADALAL BILIA LODGE:
Family House, Parsi
Colony, Dadar, Mumbai 400014. Tel:
24185510
Thurs 6
|
6.00
|
Talk by Ervad Darayesh R. katrak
|
Thurs
13
|
6.00
|
Talk by Mr. Rustom Chothia
|
Thurs
20
|
6.00
|
Lodge closed
|
Thurs
27
|
6.00
|
Lodge Meeting by
Sis. Armaity Tirandaz
|
********************************************************************
Only as you live Theosophy can you spread
Theosophy. It is not our
words it is our life that affects people…… Our lives, if they are unselfish,
pure, loving and helpful, are the best propaganda of Theosophical ideas; for it
is not good to talk Theosophy unless we live what we talk. – Annie Besant
********************************************************
Price: Rs. 1/- Annual
Subscription: Rs. 10/-
********************************************************
Edited & Published by Editor Shri. Rustom R.
Dalal, The Bombay Theosophical Federation, c/o Blavatsky Lodge, 7 – French
Bridge, Chowpatty, Mumbai – 400 007. (Tel: 23685026) and Printed at Vijay Copy
Centre, 48/A, Saidunnisa Building, Sleater Road, Opposite Grant Road Station
(West), Mumbai - 400 007 (Tel:23865137)
MINUTES OF THE MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING
Blavatsky Lodge
THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007
Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 5.00 pm on Friday, the 28th of April, 2017 at Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai.
The meeting chaired by the President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.
Members Present: Bro. Navin Kumar, Bro., Sis Jasmine Cawasji, Sis. Ruby Khan, Arni Narendran, Rustom Cooper.
Leave of Absence: Bro. Noor Baig, Bro. Rustom Dalal, Sis. Freny Pagdiwalla, Nawaz Dhalla, Sis. Aban Patel, Bro. Roy Mathews.
The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:
1. Confirmation of Minutes:
Minutes of the MC meeting held on 24th March, 2017, which were distributed to members in advance to facilitate careful reading beforehand, were considered and confirmed.
2. Matters Arising From The Minutes:
a) With regard to the staff working in the Lodge, the remuneration has been fixed for the year 2017-18 and has been approved by the committee.
b) After the Blavatsky Lodge Appeal, made by Sis. Aban Patel, The Lodge collected the sum of Rs.58,820/- collected towards Ganpat’s Welfare Fund.
c) Subsequently on the BTF Appeal, a sum of Rs.1,20,600/- has been collected, apart of which BTF has paid Rs.10,000/- directly to Ganpat and Rs.1000/- by some donors.
3. Hon. Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2017 was read and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.
There being no other matters, the meeting ended with thanks to the chair and the universal prayer in Sanskrit.
4. A note about the new Retirement Benefit Policy , which was approved is attached.
Secretary President
(Jasmine Cawasji) (Kashmira Khambatta)
THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007
Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 5.00 pm on Friday, the 28th of April, 2017 at Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai.
The meeting chaired by the President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.
Members Present: Bro. Navin Kumar, Bro., Sis Jasmine Cawasji, Sis. Ruby Khan, Arni Narendran, Rustom Cooper.
Leave of Absence: Bro. Noor Baig, Bro. Rustom Dalal, Sis. Freny Pagdiwalla, Nawaz Dhalla, Sis. Aban Patel, Bro. Roy Mathews.
The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:
1. Confirmation of Minutes:
Minutes of the MC meeting held on 24th March, 2017, which were distributed to members in advance to facilitate careful reading beforehand, were considered and confirmed.
2. Matters Arising From The Minutes:
a) With regard to the staff working in the Lodge, the remuneration has been fixed for the year 2017-18 and has been approved by the committee.
b) After the Blavatsky Lodge Appeal, made by Sis. Aban Patel, The Lodge collected the sum of Rs.58,820/- collected towards Ganpat’s Welfare Fund.
c) Subsequently on the BTF Appeal, a sum of Rs.1,20,600/- has been collected, apart of which BTF has paid Rs.10,000/- directly to Ganpat and Rs.1000/- by some donors.
3. Hon. Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2017 was read and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.
There being no other matters, the meeting ended with thanks to the chair and the universal prayer in Sanskrit.
4. A note about the new Retirement Benefit Policy , which was approved is attached.
Secretary President
(Jasmine Cawasji) (Kashmira Khambatta)
