VANGUARD
Phase
1 Standard Vanguard introduced July 1947
The Standard Vanguard was produced
by the Standard Motor Company
in
The Standard Vanguard has very little (in fact
nothing)
to do with Theosophy but we have found that
Theosophists and new enquirers do like pictures
of classic cars and we get a lot of positive
feedback.
You can find Theosophy Wales groups
in
Bangor, Cardiff, Conwy & Swansea
Theosophy Wales has no controlling
body
and is made up of independent groups
________________________
Theosophy
we
are pleased to present here an in depth manual of Theosophical ideas and
concepts by Alfred Percy Sinnett
who
was a major contributor to the development of modern Theosophy in the early
years of the Theosophical movement
Esoteric
Buddhism
By
Alfred
Percy Sinnett
Esoteric Buddhism
Preface to the Original Edition
THE teachings embodied in the
present volume let in a flood of light on questions connected with Buddhist
doctrine which have deeply perplexed previous writers on the religion, and
offer the world for the first time a practical clue to the meaning of almost
all ancient religious symbolism. More than this, the esoteric doctrine, when
properly understood, will be found to advance an overpowering claim on the
attention of earnest thinkers. Its tenets are not presented to us as the
invention of any founder or prophet. Its testimony is based on no written
scriptures. Its views of Nature have been evolved by the researches of an
immense succession of investigators, qualified for their task by the possession
of spiritual faculties and perceptions of a higher order than those belonging
to ordinary humanity. In the course of ages the block of knowledge thus
accumulated, concerning the origin of the world and of man and the ultimate
destinies of our race - concerning also the nature of other worlds and states
of existence differing from those of our present life - checked and examined at
every point, verified in all directions, and constantly under examination
throughout, has come to be looked on by its custodians as constituting the
absolute truth concerning spiritual things, the actual state of the facts
regarding vast regions of vital activity lying beyond this earthly existence.
European philosophy, whether
concerned with religion or pure metaphysics, has so long been used to a sense
of insecurity in speculations outrunning the limits of physical experiment,
that absolute truth about spiritual things is hardly recognized any longer by
prudent thinkers as a reasonable object of pursuit; but different habits of
thought have been acquired in Asia. The secret doctrine which, to a
considerable extent, I am now enabled to expound, is regarded not only by all
its adherents, but by vast numbers who have never expected to know more of it
than that such a doctrine exists, as a mine of entirely trustworthy knowledge
from which all religions and philosophies have derived whatever they possess of
truth, and with which every religion must coincide if it claims to be a mode of
expression for truth.
This is a bold claim indeed, but
I venture to announce the following exposition as one of immense importance to
the world, because I believe that claim can be substantiated.
I do not say that within the
compass of this volume the authenticity of the esoteric doctrine can be proved.
Such proof cannot be given by any process of argument; only through the
development in each inquirer for himself of the faculties required for the
direct observation of Nature along the lines indicated. But his prima facie
conclusion may be determined by the extent to which the views of Nature about
to be unfolded, may recommend themselves to his mind, and by the reasons which
exist for trusting the powers of observation of those by whom they are
communicated.
Will it be supposed that the
very magnitude of the claim now made on behalf of the esoteric doctrine, lifts
the present statement out of the region of inquiry to which its title refers -
inquiry as to the real inner meaning of the definite and specific religion
called Buddhism? The fact is, however, that esoteric Buddhism, though by no
means divorced from the associations of exoteric Buddhism, must not be
conceived to constitute a mere imperium in imperio - a central school of
culture in the vortex of the Buddhist world. In proportion as Buddhism retreats
into the inner penetralia of its faith, these are found to merge into the inner
penetralia of other faiths. The cosmic conceptions, and the knowledge of Nature
on which Buddhism not merely rests, but which constitute esoteric Buddhism,
equally constitute esoteric Brahmanism. And the esoteric doctrine is thus
regarded by those of all creeds who are “enlightened” (in the Buddhist sense)
as the absolute truth concerning Nature, Man, the origin of the Universe, and
the destinies toward which its inhabitants are tending. At the same time,
exoteric Buddhism has remained in closer union with the esoteric doctrine than
any other popular religion. An exposition of the inner knowledge, addressed to
English readers in the present day, will thus associate itself irresistibly
with familiar outlines of Buddhist teaching. It will certainly impart to these
a living meaning they generally seem to be without, but all the more on this
account may the esoteric doctrine be most conveniently studied in its Buddhist
aspect: one, moreover, which has been so strongly impressed upon it since the
time of Gautama Buddha that though the essence of the doctrine dates back to a
far more remote antiquity, the Buddhist colouring has now permeated its whole
substance. That which I am about to put before the reader is esoteric
Buddhism, and for European students approaching it for the first time, any
other designation would be a misnomer.
The statement I have to make
must be considered in its entirety before the reader will be able to comprehend
why initiates in the esoteric doctrine regard the concession involved in the
present disclosures of the general outlines of this doctrine as one of
startling magnitude. One explanation of this feeling, however, may be readily
seen to spring from the extreme sacredness that has always been attached by
their ancient guardians to the inner vital truths of Nature. Hitherto this
sacredness has always prescribed their absolute concealment from the profane
herd. And so far as that policy of concealment, - the tradition of countless
ages, - is now being given up, the new departure which the appearance of this
volume signalizes will be contemplated with surprise and regret by a great many
initiated disciples. The surrender to criticism which may sometimes perhaps be
clumsy and irreverent, of doctrines which have hitherto been regarded by such
persons as too majestic in their import to be talked of at all except under
circumstances of befitting solemnity, will seem to them a terrible profanation
of the great mysteries. From the European point of view it would be
unreasonable to expect that such a book as this can be exempt from the usual
rough-and-tumble treatment of new ideas. And special convictions or
common-place bigotry may sometimes render such treatment in the present case
peculiarly inimical. But all that, though a matter of course to European
exponents of the doctrine like myself, will seem very grievous and disgusting
to its earlier and more regular representatives. They will appeal sadly to the
wisdom of the time-honoured rule which, in the old symbolical way, forbade the
initiates from casting pearls before swine.
Happily, as I think, the rule
has not been allowed to operate any longer to the prejudice of those who, while
still far from being initiated, in the occult sense of the term, will probably
have become, by sheer force of modern culture, qualified to appreciate the
concession.
Part of the information
contained in the following pages was first thrown out in a fragmentary form in
the Theosophist, a monthly magazine, published at Madras, by the leaders
of the Theosophical Society. As almost all the articles referred to have been
my own writing, I have not hesitated to weld parts of them, when this course
has been convenient, into the present volume. A certain advantage is gained by
thus showing how the separate pieces of the mosaic as first presented to public
notice, drop naturally into their places in the (comparatively) finished
pavement.
The doctrine or system now
disclosed in its broad outlines has been so jealously guarded hitherto, that no
mere literary researches, though they might have curry-combed all India, could
have brought to light any morsel of the information thus revealed. It is given
out to the world at last by the free grace of those in whose keeping it has
hitherto lain. Nothing could ever have extorted from them its very first
letter. It is only after a perusal of the present explanations that their
position generally, as regards their present disclosures or their previous
reticence can be criticized or even comprehended. The views of Nature now put
forward are altogether unfamiliar to European thinkers; the policy of the
graduates in esoteric knowledge, which has grown out of their long intimacy
with these views must be considered in connection with the peculiar bearings of
the doctrine itself.
As for the circumstances
under which these revelations were first foreshadowed in the Theosophist,
and are now rounded off and expanded as my readers will perceive, it is enough
for the moment to say, that the Theosophical Society, through my connection
with which the materials dealt with in this volume have come into my hands,
owes its establishment to certain persons who are among the custodians of
esoteric science. The information poured out at last for the benefit of all who
are ripe to receive it, has been destined for communication to the world
through the Theosophical Society since the foundation of that body, and later
circumstances only have indicated myself as the agent through whom the
communication could be conveniently made.
Let me add, that I do not
regard myself as the sole exponent for the outer world, at this crisis, of
esoteric truth. These teachings are the outcome, as regards philosophical
knowledge, of the relations with the outer world which have been established by
the custodians of esoteric truth through me. And it is only regarding
the acts and intentions of those esoteric teachers who have chosen to work
through me, that I can have any certain knowledge. But, in different ways, some
other writers seem to be engaged in expounding for the benefit of the world -
and, as I believe, in accordance with a great plan, of which this volume is a
part - the same truths, in different aspects, that I am commissioned to unfold.
Probably the great activity at present of literary speculation dealing with
problems that overstep the range of physical knowledge, may also be in some way
provoked by that policy, on the part of the great custodians of esoteric truth,
of which my own book is certainly one manifestation. Again, the ardour now
shown in “Psychical Research,” by the very distinguished, highly gifted, and
cultivated men, who lead the society in London devoted to that object, is, to
my inner convictions - knowing as I do something of the way the spiritual
aspirations of the world are silently influenced by those whose work lies in
that department of Nature - the obvious fruit of efforts, parallel to those
with which I am more immediately concerned.
It only remains for me to
disclaim, on behalf of the treatise which ensues, any pretension to high finish
as regards the language in which it is cast. Longer familiarity with the vast
and complicated scheme of cosmogony disclosed, will no doubt suggest
improvements in the phraseology employed to expound it. Two years ago, neither
I, nor any other European living, knew the alphabet of the science here for the
first time put into a scientific shape - or subject at all events to an attempt
in that direction - the science of Spiritual Causes and their Effects, of
Super-physical Consciousness, of Cosmical Evolution. Though ideas had begun to
offer themselves to the world in more or less embarrassing disguise of mystic
symbology, no attempt had ever been made by any esoteric teacher, two years back,
to put the doctrine forward in its plain abstract purity. As my own instruction
progressed on those lines, I have had to coin phrases and suggest English words
as equivalents for the ideas which were presented to my mind. I am by no means
convinced that in all cases I have coined the best possible phrases and hit on
the most neatly expressive words. For example, at the threshold of the subject
we come upon the necessity of giving some name to the various elements or
attributes of which the complete human creature is made up. “Element” would be
an impossible word to use, on account of the confusion that would arise from
its use in other significations; and the least objectionable on the whole
seemed to me “principle,” though to an ear trained in the niceties of
metaphysical expression this word will have a very unsatisfactory sound in some
of its present applications. Quite possibly, therefore, in process of time the
Western nomenclature of the esoteric doctrine may be greatly developed in
advance of that I have provisionally constructed. The Oriental nomenclature is
far more elaborate, but metaphysical Sanskrit seems to be painfully
embarrassing to a translator - the fault, my Indian friends assure me, not of
Sanskrit, but of the language in which they are now required to express the
Sanskrit ideal. Eventually we may find that, with the help of a little
borrowing from familiar Greek quarries, English may prove more receptive of the
new doctrine - or rather, of the primeval doctrine as newly disclosed - than has
been supposed in the East.
Standard
Vanguard Brochure Cover Late 1940s
In
1949 you could buy a Vanguard for £671 (including purchase tax)
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More Theosophy Stuff
with these links
Cardiff Theosophical
Society meetings are informal
and there’s always a
cup of tea afterwards
The
Cardiff Theosophical Society Website
1948
Standard Vanguard
The
National Wales Theosophy Website
Bangor,
Cardiff, Conwy & Swansea
If you
run a Theosophy Group, please feel free
to use
any of the material on this site
1953
Standard Vanguard Pickup
Theosophy Cardiff’s Instant Guide
Phase
II Standard Vanguard 1953 -55
Theosophical Movement in Wales
as it separates into independent
groups that run do their own show
One liners and quick explanations
H P
Blavatsky is usually the only
Theosophist
that most people have ever
heard
of. Let’s put that right
The Voice of the Silence Website
Phase
III Standard Vanguard Circa 1959
An
Independent Theosophical Republic
Links
to Free Online Theosophy
Study
Resources; Courses, Writings,
The main criteria for the inclusion of
links on this site is that they have some
relationship (however tenuous) to Theosophy
and are lightweight, amusing or entertaining.
Topics include Quantum Theory and Socks,
Dick Dastardly and Legendary Blues Singers.
A selection of articles on Reincarnation
Provided in response to the large
number of enquiries we receive at
Cardiff Theosophical Society on this subject
Phase
III Standard Vanguard Circa 1962
The Voice of the Silence Website
This is for
everyone, you don’t have to live
in Wales to
make good use of this Website
A
Phase I 1949 Standard Vanguard with sidelights
A Vanguard tested by The Motor magazine in 1949
had a top speed of 78.7 mph
(126.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph
(97 km/h) in 21.5 seconds.
A fuel consumption of 22.9 miles per imperial
gallon
No
Aardvarks were harmed in the
Phase
III Standard Vanguard Early 60s
Within the British Isles, The Adyar Theosophical Society
has Groups in;
Bangor*Basingstoke*Billericay*Birmingham*Blackburn*Bolton*Bournemouth
Bradford*Bristol*Camberley*Cardiff*Chester*Conwy*Coventry*Dundee*Edinburgh
Folkstone*Glasgow*Grimsby*Inverness*Isle of
Man*Lancaster*Leeds*Leicester
Letchworth*London*Manchester*Merseyside*Middlesborough*Newcastle upon
Tyne
North Devon*Northampton*Northern Ireland*Norwich*Nottingham
Perth*Republic of Ireland*Sidmouth*Southport*Sussex*Swansea*Torbay
Tunbridge Wells*Wallasey*Warrington*Wembley*Winchester*Worthing
The Spiritual Home of Urban Theosophy
The Earth Base for Evolutionary Theosophy
_____________________
Concerns about the fate of the
wildlife as
Tekels Park is to be Sold to a
Developer
Concerns are raised about the fate of
the wildlife as
The Spiritual Retreat, Tekels Park in
Camberley,
Surrey, England is to be sold to a
developer.
Tekels Park is a 50 acre woodland
park, purchased
for the Adyar Theosophical Society in England
in 1929.
In addition to concern about the
park, many are
worried about the future of the Tekels Park
Deer
as they are not a protected species.
Anyone planning a “Spiritual” stay at
the
Tekels Park Guest House should be
aware of the sale.
It doesn’t require a Diploma in Finance
and even someone with a Diploma in
Astral Travel will know that this is a
bad time economically to sell Tekels Park
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A
B
C
D
EFG
H
IJ
KL
M
N
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QR
S
T
UV
WXYZ
Complete Theosophical Glossary in Plain Text Format
1.22MB
Quick
Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info
What is Theosophy ? Theosophy Defined (More Detail)
Three Fundamental Propositions Key Concepts of Theosophy
Cosmogenesis
Anthropogenesis
Root Races
Karma
Ascended Masters After Death States Reincarnation
The Seven Principles of Man Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott William Quan Judge
The Start of the Theosophical Society
History of the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society Presidents
History of the Theosophical Society in Wales
The Three Objectives of the Theosophical Society
Explanation of the Theosophical Society Emblem
Glossaries of Theosophical Terms
An Outstanding Introduction to Theosophy
By a student of Katherine Tingley
Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man? Body and Soul
Body, Soul and Spirit Reincarnation Karma
Standard
Vanguard Promotional Literature Late 1940s
Reincarnation
This guide has been included in response
to the number of enquiries we receive on
this
subject at Cardiff Theosophical Society
From A Textbook
of Theosophy By C W Leadbeater
How We Remember our Past Lives
Life after Death & Reincarnation
The Slaughter of the
a great demand by the public for
lectures on Reincarnation
Classic Introductory Theosophy Text
A Text Book of Theosophy By C
What Theosophy Is From the Absolute to Man
The Formation of a Solar System The Evolution of Life
The Constitution of Man After Death
Reincarnation
The Purpose of Life The Planetary Chains
The Result of Theosophical Study
The Occult World
By
Alfred Percy Sinnett
The
Occult World is an treatise on the
Occult
and Occult Phenomena, presented
in readable style, by an early giant of
the
Theosophical Movement.
Preface to the American Edition Introduction
Occultism and its Adepts The Theosophical Society
First Occult Experiences Teachings of Occult Philosophy
Later Occult Phenomena Appendix
An Outline of Theosophy
Charles Webster Leadbeater
Theosophy - What it is How is it Known? The Method of Observation
General Principles The Three Great Truths The Deity
Advantage Gained from this
Knowledge The Divine Scheme
The Constitution of Man The True Man Reincarnation
The Wider Outlook Death Man’s Past and Future
Cause and Effect What Theosophy does for us
Standard Vanguard Estate
Circa 1952
Try these if you are looking
for a local
Theosophy Group or Centre
UK Listing of Theosophical Groups
Please tell us about your UK Theosophy Group
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into categories and
presented according to relevance of website.
Web Directory
- Add Link - Submit Article - Online Store - Forum
Standard
Vanguard Van Circa 1952
______________________
General pages about Wales, Welsh History
and The History of Theosophy in Wales
Wales is a
Principality within the United Kingdom and has an eastern
border with
England. The land area is just over 8,000 square miles.
Snowdon in North
Wales is the highest mountain at 3,650 feet.
The coastline is
almost 750 miles long. The population of Wales
as at the 2001 census is 2,946,200.
________________
Bangor Conwy & Swansea Lodges are
members
of the Welsh Regional Association
(Formed 1993).
Theosophy Cardiff separated from the
Welsh Regional
Association in March 2008 and became an independent
body within the Theosophical Movement in March 2010
High
Drama & Worldwide Confusion
as
Theosophy Cardiff Separates from the
Welsh
Regional Association (formed 1993)
Theosophy Cardiff cancels its Affiliation
to the Adyar Based Theosophical Society
Cardiff, Wales, UK, CF24 – 1DL