BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M): 9821459504 (M): 9819334333
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
Sun 2
|
10.00 am
|
Bharat Samaj Pooja
|
Fri 7
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Sun 9
|
10.15 am
|
Asala Purnima Meeting
|
Fri 14
|
5.45 pm
6.00 pm
6.15 pm
|
To gather for Ritual preparations
Mystic Star Ritual
Dr. Darius H. Umrigar’s Talk (in Lobby)
|
Fri 21
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’ Meeting for Readings & Discussion
|
Sun 23
|
10.45 am
|
Maitreya Round Table
|
Fri 28
|
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
|
Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting+Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Tues 6, 13,20,27
|
5.45 pm
|
Reading and discussion on Lives of Alcyone by AB and CWL presented by Sis Navaz Dhalla
|
The Bombay Theosophical Bulletin
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY
THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION
Volume
86
|
—
|
No.10
|
–
|
July 2017
|
CONTENTS
Quote from Dhammapada
|
Cover
|
News & Notes
|
2 - 4
|
Paramitas: Ten
Golden Keys
|
5 - 7
|
Bro. D. P. Sabnis
writes from Dubai
|
7
|
Theosophy
In The Home – Part 2
|
8 - 11
|
BTF & Lodge Programmes July 2017
|
11 - 12
|
NEWS & NOTES
General Secretary
Mr. Pradeep Gohil
invites brethren
to the Study camp conducted by Mr. Tim
Boyd
International President, TS
On Theme
"The
Process of Unfoldment:
An Education of
the Soul"
On 6th, 7th & 8th October 2017 there will be full day sessions
up to dinner, including a Musical Programme
and Mr. Tim Boyd’s Public Lecture.
Members
are requested to remit the following on or before 20th September 2017: Deluxe
Room Rs. 1250/-; Special Room Rs. 1050; Ordinary Room Rs. 950/-. The
amount includes Registration Fee, Accommodation charges and Meal charges.
The
accommodation will be provided from the evening on 5 October to the evening of
9 October 2017. The accommodation is limited to 24 in Deluxe Rooms; 22 in
Special Rooms and 44 in Ordinary Rooms. Accommodation will be provided on first
come first serve basis.
On
cancellation before 20 September 2017 Rs. 100/- will be deducted and refunds
will be made after 15 October 2017.
*************************************************************
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.
Remittances are to be made to Vijaya Bank, Kamachha, Varanasi A/c No.
718301010005045 IFSC Code VIJB0007183 in the name of the Indian Section, The
Theosophical Society. Remittances can be
paid in cash or by draft as well.
Give
details of arrival, departure, Phone/Mobile No./E-mail.
Contact
Emails: theosophyvns@gmail.com
theosophy_vns@yahoo.com
**********************************
THE INDIAN SECTION THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
YOUTH CAMP & STUDY CLASSES
13th to 15th August 2017 at BBSR
Hosted by
The Utkal Theosophical Federation
and
Pythagoras Youth Lodge,
Bhubaneshwar
Conducted by National Lecturers
Bro. Shikhar Agnihotri & Dr.
Varsha Patel
2 to 3 Youth Members of each Federation can
attend the Camp & Study Classes. Lodging & Meals will be provided by
the organizers. To Register before 15th July 2017 contact:
Sis. Paurnamasi Pattnaik, Secretary UTF (M):
+91-9437276204
Sis. Smitapragyan Patro, Pythagoras Youth Lodge (M): 8790879874
Bro. Shikhar Agnihotri, National Lecturer (M):
+91-8840926268
Dr. Varsha Patel, National Lecturer (M):
+91-9429906702
*********************************
THANKS TO BRETHREN FOR
THEIR FURTHER EX-GRATIA HELP FOR SHRI GANPAT JADHAV:
Bro. Khurshed Sanjana, Sis. Aban Master, A
Well Wisher, Sis. Perveez N. Cooper, and Sis. Villoo Adajania.
OBITUARY: Sis. Dolly
Jalbhai Sanjana, Life Member of Shanti Lodge passed
away to light eternal on 8th June 2017. She
has been a silent stalwart of TS in Mumbai with her TS membership of 71 years. Theosophy has been in her blood. Her Parents
Khorshed & Hormusji Cawjina were Founder Members of Shanti Lodge TS. She
was a co-worker and a source of strength for her Late husband and stalwart
Theosophist of Mumbai Jalbhai Sanjana. Her steadfastness in Theosophic Life
despite her health problems is greatly admirable. Her daughter Thrity Dalal is
a deep student of Theosophy and her Grandson Farhad is following in their
footsteps. She was a Co-Freemason of High Degree. She had inculcated
Theosophical & ethical values in a number of her students. May her soul
blessed with peace continue noble work on Higher Planes.
***************************************************
THE
OBJECTS OF TS
The objects of the Society cannot be
unrelated to each other, for they are all related to the question of human
progress and perfection, to regeneration. If we think of them as separate, each one having its
own independent purpose, they may not help to fulfill the goal of the TS. It is
probably necessary for members of the TS throughout the world to inquire into
what these objects signify in terms of regeneration, the upliftment of the
human mind – whatever one likes to call it.
The Theosophical Society could become a wonderful
force in the future, surpassing the accomplishments of the past, provided we
dedicate ourselves to the task. If we wait for miracles, nothing may happen,
but if we offer ourselves unselfishly to a life of pure service, help may come
from higher levels.
- Radha Burnier
(C0urtesy: The Indian
Theosophist December 2016)
PARAMITAS:
TEN GOLDEN KEYS
[Extracts of Article]
Nicholas C. Weeks,
Theosophical Scholar
Courtesy: ‘The Theosophist’
May 2017
Blavatsky
gives a deeper meaning of Three Jewels in her Theosophical
Glossary: The words “Buddha, Dharma and
Sangha” ought to be pronounced as in the days of Gautama, the Lord Buddha,
namely “Bodhi, Dharma and Sangha”, and
interpreted to mean “Wisdom, its Laws,
and Priests”, the latter in the sense of “Spiritual Exponents” or “Adepts”.
This goal of becoming a Bodhisattva is worthy of any sacrifice,
as a sutra tells us:
The Bodhisattva
Avalokitesvara asked the Buddha, “Why do you say
the birth of Bodhisattvas is the most excellent among living beings/”
The Buddha replied, “There are four reasons. (1) Because that birth is constructed on
ultimately pure foundations of good. (2) Because it is chosen intentionally,
with conscious discernment. (3) Because it is based on compassion, to liberate
sentient beings. (4) Because one can purify oneself and therefore remove the
defilements of others.
Avalokitesvara also asked
the Buddha, “Why do you say Bodhisattvas carry out
far-reaching vows, marvelous vows, excellent vows?”
The Buddha replied, “For four reasons: (1) Bodhisattvas do know the bliss of nirvana
very well and can quickly realize it, (2) yet they relinquish immediate
experience of the state of bliss and (3) Arouse a mind of great aspiration to
benefit living beings, without a personal object or expectation, and (4)
therefore they remain in the midst of many kinds of suffering over a long time.
That is why I say that Bodhisattvas carry out far-reaching, marvelous,
excellent vows.”
Before
focusing on any golden paramita keys
to the portals that open into higher realms of consciousness, let us recall
some more fundamentals of this path. The Mahatma
Letters mention the basic methods, of which these three are the most
important: “Chastity of thought, word
and deed; government of the animal passions and impulses; and utter
unselfishness of intention.”
Without
this needed preliminary purification, the practice of the paramitas will be feeble and fruitless. It may even lead to
hypocrisy. The refinement of our three poisons of greed, anger and stupidity of
attraction, repulsion and stagnation is fulfilled by using three principles.
One of those rare supreme Adepts, Je Tsongkhapa, taught them as renunciation of greed and animal passions;
and secondly, utter unselfish compassionate Bodhichitta that replaces anger and irritation. The third principle
is vast Wisdom, instead of our normal foolishness.
One
can see how the first two perfections of Giving and Virtue help to remove low
desire and animal passions. Then number three, unruffled patience redeems
anger, hate and irritability. Paramitas
five and six transmute our stupid, foolish minds into great wisdom. Energy, the
fourth one, empowers all the other five. Blavatsky’s central Paramita of vairagya (mentioned in her Voice of Silence), or Dispassion, or
non-attachment, pervades all the others. As Buddha taught, vairagya “is the best of all things”.
The
last four Paramitas of the ten assist
the six. One traditional way of connecting the last four perfections to the
first six, is as follows: The 7th
Paramita of Skillful Means assists the first three in making virtuous
karma. The 8th perfection of Vows, or Aspirations, strengthens number four,
Diligence. The 9th Paramita of Power
greatly deepens number five, Meditation, and the 10th perfection of jnana, or Knowledge, expands number six,
prajna, or Wisdom.
Blavatsky
speaks of the Paramita Path as
“thorny” and “uphill all the way”. The Paramita
heights are crossed by a path still steeper than of Dhyana, or Meditation, for the Paramitas require altruistic action on
the ordinary plane of life, as well as virtuous action in the deeper realms of
meditation.
Another
sutra says that a single repetition of the six syllable mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” completes all six
perfections. This completion means the seed of Buddhahood is well and sincerely planted in the fertile soil of Bodhisattva vows and practices, thus
assuring the future flowering as a Tathagata.
********************************************
BRO. D.P. SABNIS
Past President of Blavatsky Lodge
WRITES FROM DUBAI
Last 5 months I am in Dubai. In the month of
March 2017 I was in Bombay for a couple of days and I found a Bulletin in which
my first International TS Convention Adyar in 1999 was published. Though I do
not have a copy of it with me, Thanks for your kind gesture, which prompted me to propagate Theosophy
here, especially with the Tamilians from Chennai and insisted on them to visit
Adyar whenever they visit Chennai. ‘The Basic Correspondence Course in
Theosophy’, which I had prepared was with me and came handy and it made them
know what ‘Theosophy’ is in a short time.
If one wants to
experience “Universal Brotherhood’ one must come to Dubai, where people of 200
nationalities work together shoulder to shoulder sincerely to keep this place
on top of the world and thousands & lakhs of tourists from 200 countries
visit this place to see how the civilization can be built in desert. There is
not a single policeman seen anywhere and it is 100% safe as one dares not to break
law & order. They have really made use of the money they earned and have
raised the civilization in desert in a span of 40 years.
THEOSOPHY
IN THE HOME
[Part 2]
Extracts from a chapter of
a Theosophical book
By
Late Bro. Homi M. Mistry
There are several aspects
of life in the home, and each is affected by the principles of Theosophy. What has Theosophy to say concerning the relationship of parent and
child, husband and wife, master and servant, host and guest and with domestic
animals?
[Note: ‘Relationship of
Parents & Child’ was printed in BTF Bulletin of June 2017 under the article
‘Theosophy in the Home – Part 1]
Relationship of Husband and Wife
When
we come to the relationship in the family as between husband and wife,
Theosophy says that they both are equal in the responsibilities and the
privileges which they have in life. What has brought them together in this
family relationship is a series of duties and privileges which is called the
Law of Karma or the Law of Action and Reaction. They do not meet for
the first time in their age long existence, they have met many times before and
have “made Karma” between themselves; they have also “made Karma” with certain
other souls who may come to them as their children and dependents. It is this
karma, which they owe to each other and to those that shall surround them in
the home that brings two souls together as husband and wife.
Often this karma brings with it the blossoming of affections and
sympathies; in such a case we have the ideal marriage. But it may well happen that after two people have been brought
together, the karma between them produces phases of unhappiness. In
both conditions, it is Divine purpose that they shall get to know each other in
their Divine natures and discover their common work, which is indeed a
part of the great Divine work. For while souls can discover each other through
love, yet if they will not through love, life forces them to discover through
hate; for hate that repels in the beginning attracts in the end. Men and women
discover these mysteries of life outside the marital relationship; but
nevertheless that relationship has been planned as one mode of discovery. No
relation gives each such great opportunity for the discovery of another’s self
and also of one’s own self as this; and the man or woman who uses these
opportunities, when karma gives them, thereby grows in spirituality and comes
nearer the discovery of the great Self of God and all humanity.
When this high spiritual purpose is recognized as underlying family
life, family responsibilities and privileges appear in a new light; the trivial duties of the home have shining through them the light
of Eternity. The birth of children or their loss, the anxieties and the cares
of tending them and training them, the joys and the sorrows that they give, are
all so many experiences leading to the great Discovery. the family is not a
meeting- place of simple travelers who meet for a few brief years and then go
their separate ways in eternity; it is far more a theatre or a concert hall
where drama or a composition is being rehearsed, so that all the individuals
may learn to perform their parts with beauty and dignity for the delight of man
and of God.
Relationship of Master and Servant
Not
dissimilar too is the relationship in the home between master and servant. Usually
where this relationship exists, the servant is less evolved than the master; he
therefore appears in the family in order that he may be helped to grow by an
elder soul. We may engage a servant, but his coming to us is not a
matter of chance; we may pay him wages, but our “karmic link” does not cease
with the money which we give him. The servant is the master’s brother soul; he
is usually the younger brother, but the monetary contract between them
should never be allowed to make less real the great fact they are brothers.
Servants
come to us to be shown a higher ideal in life than they would normally be aware
of, were they not brought into association with their masters. Neatness,
method, conscientiousness, generosity, courtesy, fine behavior and culture are
examples of conduct which the master has to place before the consciousness of
his younger brother, the servant; but while we present to him our example, we
must not ask of him, since he is our younger brother, our standard of
achievement. It is our duty as masters to be patient and understanding while we
call out the best from our servants through a spirit of willing co-operation.
Many a virtue can be learnt as a servant which in a later life of large opportunities,
will lead to great actions; and those of us who are masters, but who have not
yet learned such virtues, will need to learn as servants to learn them.
Who
toiled a slave may come anew a prince,
For
gentle worthiness and merit won;
Who
ruled a king may wander earth in rags,
For
things done and undone.
Relationship with Domestic
Animals
The
domestic animals who form a part of the family are not such unimportant members
of it as people usually imagine. The Divine Life that is in man is in the
animal too; but it is at an earlier stage and therefore less evolved. But it is
to evolve to a higher through contact with man. Man’s duty to his
domestic animals is to soften their savage nature and implant in them manlike
attributes of thought and affection and devotion. Therefore, while the animal
gives its strength in service, we must use it purposely to train it towards
humanity, for the animal will someday grow in to man. If we bring out a dog’s
intelligence by our training it should not be used to strengthen his animal
attributes, as when we train our dogs to hunt. A domestic cat may be “a good
mouser”, but it is not for that reason that God guided him into the family. If
we train horses, it certainly should not be to develop speed for racing or
hunting; the service they give us should be rewarded by bringing out of them the qualities that more
contribute to their evolution towards humanity than speed. The general principle with regard
to our relation to our domestic animals is that they are definitely sent to us
to have their animal attributes of savagery as far as possible weaned out of
them and human attributes implanted in their stead, for what is animal today
will someday be man, as man today will someday be a God; and he serves
evolution best who helps the Divine Life to move swiftly on its upward
way.
***************************************************
BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES JULY 2017
1.ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049.
Contact Ananda Lodge Secretary Sis. Zenobia Khodaiji (M): 9820308163 or Ananda
Lodge Representative to BTF Sis. Anjoo Narain (M): 9820132473 for Meeting of July 2017
2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 -
French Bridge, Mumbai 400007
Tel: 23685026 (M):
9821459504 (M): 9819334333
DAY
|
TIME
|
DETAILS
|
Sun 2
|
10.00 am
|
Bharat Samaj Pooja
|
Fri 7
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’
Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN.. Whence, How and Whither”
conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Sun 9
|
10.15 am
|
Asala
Purnima Meeting
|
Fri 14
|
5.45 pm
6.00 pm
6.15 pm
|
To gather for Ritual preparations
Mystic
Star Ritual
Dr.
Darius H. Umrigar’s Talk (in
Lobby)
|
Fri 21
|
6.00 pm
|
Members’
Meeting for Readings & Discussion
|
Sun 23
|
10.45 am
|
Maitreya
Round Table
|
Fri 28
|
4.30 pm
6.00 pm
|
Blavatsky
Lodge MC Meeting+Members’ Meeting – Study of AB & CWL’s Book “MAN..
Whence, How and Whither” conducted by Sis Aban Patel
|
Tues
6, 13,20,27
|
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
|
Study of
P. Pavri’s Book ‘The Living Wisdom’
|
20
|
Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (at Blavatsky Lodge)
|
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 Mrs.
Gita S. Parikh, Gokul Anand Building,
4th Floor, Dattatraya Cross Road
(M):9920384140
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
|
Celebration of Asala
Poornima
|
Thurs
13
|
6.00
|
Talk by Bro. Keki
Palkhiwalla on Mysticism & Occultism
|
Thurs
20
|
6.00
|
Members’ Meeting
|
Thurs
27
|
6.00
|
Theosophical Readings
|
********************************************************
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)
Blavatsky Lodge
THE
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007
Minutes of the
Managing Committee meeting held at 4.30 pm on Friday, the 28th of July, 2017 at
Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai.
The meeting chaired
by the President Sis. Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.
Members Present: Bro. Navin Kumar,
Sis. Nawaz Dhalla, Sis Jasmine Cawasji, Bro.Arni
Narendran, Rustom Cooper, Sis. Aban
Patel, Sis. Ruby Khan
Leave of Absence: Bro. Noor Baig, Bro. Rustom Dalal, Sis. Freny Pagdiwalla, Bro. Roy Mathews.
The deliberations
of the Meeting were as under:
1. Confirmation
of Minutes:
Minutes of the MC
meeting held on 23rd June, 2017, which were distributed to members
in advance to facilitate careful reading beforehand, were considered and confirmed.
2. Hon.
Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer’s Report for the month of June, 2017 was read by Sis. Ruby
Khan and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.
3. Matters Arising
From the Minutes:
a) Decided to give PCI, the contract for the control of white ants for
the period of five years.
b) AGM Notice to be printed in September 2017 BTF Bulletin.
3. Miscellaneous:
a) The Committee Members have agreed to donate Rs.45,000/- to assuage the
burden on the Lodge for the PCI 5 year contract amount.
There being no other business, the Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to
the chair.
Secretary
President
(Jasmine
Cawasji)
(Kashmira Khambatta)
