IN the June PATH there was printed a review of a pamphlet
issued by the London Lodge T. S., and this magazine may perhaps be construed
as committed to an approval of everything contained in the pamphlet, although
the private
initials of the reviewer were annexed to the remarks. The pamphlet referred
to brings up an old dispute which we had thought was settled by what is
found in The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, running from page 162 to 168.
"Gratification of curiosity is the end of knowledge for some men,"
wrote H.P.B.'s teacher, and this curiosity led to a question being put some
years ago to the Adepts, who furnished the main body of Esoteric Buddhism
and all the important matter in The Secret Doctrine, in respect to
other visible globes. The author of Esoteric Buddhism then construed
the reply to mean that Mars and Mercury are two of the seven planets of
the earth-chain of globes. H.P.B., the only person in actual and constant
communication with the Masters, corrected the mistake made by Mr. Sinnett
in the pages of The Secret Doctrine to which I have referred, saying
on page 164: "But neither Mars nor Mercury belongs to our chain; they
are, along with the other planets, septenary Units in the great host of
'chains' of our system, and all are as visible as their upper globes are
invisible." Her correction of the misconception was made upon the written
authority of the same Masters who sent through her the letters on which
Esoteric Buddhism was written.
On the ground of authority in respect to this question, about which none
of the Theosophical writers have any information independent of what the
Masters have written, we must conclude that the statement in The Secret
Doctrine is final. If no other point were involved, there would be no
necessity for going further with the matter, but as the consistency of the
entire philosophy is involved, it is necessary to advert again to this subject.
The two Masters who had to do with Esoteric Buddhism and The Secret
Doctrine have distinctly said:-first, that none of the other globes
of the earth-chain are visible from its surface; second, that various planets
are visible in the sky to us because they are in their turn fourth-plane
planets, representing to our sight their own septenary chains; third, that
the six companion globes of the earth are united with it in one mass, but
differ from it as to class of substance; fourth, that Mr. Sinnett misunderstood
them when he thought they meant to say that Mars and Mercury were two of
the six fellow globes of the earth-and this correction they make most positively
in The Secret Doctrine; lastly, they have said that the entire philosophy
is one of correspondences, and must be so viewed in every part. We do not
understand that Mr. Sinnett has said that H.P.B. was not reporting the Masters
when she wrote the above in The Secret Doctrine, or that the Masters
have denied that they hold the above views.
If we admit that Mars and Mercury are two visible planets of the seven-fold
chain belonging to the earth, then the consistency of the philosophy is
destroyed, for as it is with planets, so it is with man. Every planet, considered
for the moment as an individual, is to be analysed in the same way as a
single human being, subject to the same laws in the same way. Hence, if
two of the principles of the earth are visible, that is, Mars and Mercury,
then why is it that two of man's seven principles are not visible, in addition
to his body? In his seven-fold constitution his body represents the earth
in her septenary chain, but he cannot see objectively any other of his principles.
The philosophy must be consistent throughout. If it is inconsistent at one
point it fails at every other. The same Masters who have communicated through
H.P.B. with Mr. Sinnett for the purpose of having Esoteric Buddhism
written, have over and over again positively stated that the law of correspondence
rules throughout in this philosophy.
The earth is a fourth-plane planet. The beings upon it are now in the fourth
stage, and for that reason cannot see objectively any planet that is not
on the same plane of development, and every planet which they see is for
that reason a fourth-plane planet. If this be correct, then Mars and Mercury
must be fourth-plane planets, and hence not in the earth's chain of globes.
If we assume with the writer of the pamphlet referred to that Mars and Mercury
are two out of the whole seven of which the earth is a third, then the question
arises, To what principle do these two planets correspond?, for they must
correspond to either prana, kama, astral body, Manas,
Buddhi, or Atman. Any attempt at an answer to this question
will show the confusion in the assumption; for it is admitted that Mars
is in obscuration, and the natural question then would be, Which of the
earth's principles is correspondingly in obscuration'? In attempting to
answer this from the assumption started with, we have the statement that
Mars is the planet we have last been in, hence it must represent a disused
faculty or principle, and not one which we are about to develop. As Manas
is the next principle to be fully developed, it would follow that Mars does
not represent it, and hence the whole matter falls into confusion, because
the first four principles have been already developed and are not in disuse.
Following this on the false assumption, then Mars would represent an eighth
principle.
Mars is in a state of obscuration at the present time, as stated by the
Masters and H.P.B. This is because, in that chain of development, the Egos
have finished their fourth round, or because the fourth round has not yet
commenced, except in respect to the planet itself as a place of habitation,
the Egos having passed on to the next globe of that chain, quite as invisible
from the surface of Mars as our next globe in order is invisible from our
surface. The same may be said for Mercury, except in respect to obscuration,
since the information vouchsafed about it declares that it is beginning
to get out of the obscuration caused by the absence of Egos.
A reference to the pages of The Secret Doctrine referred to above
will be found helpful on this point. It is also stated on page 163 of that
book, Vol. 1, on the authority of the Masters, that "No companion
planets from A to Z, that is, no upper globes of any chain in the Solar
System, can be seen." I may say that the relation borne by Mars and
Mercury to the earth will not be spoken of or explained by the Masters.
Furthermore, one of the Masters wrote to the author of Esoteric Buddhism
in respect to this matter, stating, "You are putting me questions pertaining
to the highest initiation. I can give you only a general view, but I
dare not, nor will I enter upon details."
It is not necessary for us to know the relation between Mars, Mercury, and
the Earth, especially, nor to know whether Mars and Mercury are in any particular
state; all that is necessary is to know, do they or not belong to our chain?
And that they do not has been distinctly stated, both from the position
of authority and upon the ground of consistent philosophy. Upon authority,
because in no other way can we solve this riddle; upon philosophy, to show
the reasonableness of the authoritative statement. All such difficulties
can be solved by remembering and working upon the law that, as it is in
respect to man and his principles or vehicles, so it is in respect to any
planet whatever.
WILLIAM Q. JUDGE
Path, July, 1893
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