Fifty Gates of Wisdom (Kab.). The number is a blind, and there are really 49 gates, for Moses, than whom the Jewish world has no higher adept, reached, according to the Kabbalas, and passed only the 49th. These "gates" typify the different planes of Being or Ens.

They are thus the "gates" of Life and the "gates" of understanding or degrees of occult knowledge. These 49 (or 50) gates correspond to the seven gates in the seven caves of Initiation into the Mysteries of Mithra (see Celsus and Kircher). ‘I’he division of the 50 gates into five chief gates, each including ten - is again a blind. It is in the fourth gate of these five, from which begins, ending at the tenth, the world of Planets, thus making seven, corresponding to the seven lower Sephiroth - that the key to their meaning lies hidden. They are also called the "gates of Binah" or understanding.

(See also: Fifty Gates of Wisdom, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Secret Science, Wisdom.

See WISDOM RELIGION; OCCULTISM

(See also: Secret Science, Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Sons of Wisdom.

See MANASAPUTRAS

(See also: Sons of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

God-wisdom. See THEOSOPHY

(See also: God-wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The Seven Jewels of Wisdom Theosophical term for seven fundamental teachings explanatory of the universe, its structure, laws, and operations. As enumerated with their Sanskrit names, they are: 1) reimbodiment (punarjanman); 2) the doctrine of consequences, results, or of causes and effects (karma); 3) hierarchies (lokas and talas); 4) individual characteristics involving self-generation or self-becoming (svabhava); 5) evolution and involution (pravritti and nivritti); 6) the two paths (amritayana and pratyekayana); and 7) the knowledge of the divine self and how the One becomes the many (atma-vidya).

(See also: The Seven Jewels of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Crest Jewel of Wisdom (Sankaracharya) (SD)

(See also: Crest Jewel of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Fifty Gates of Wisdom. See GATES OF WISDOM

(See also: Fifty Gates of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Gates of Wisdom Qabbalistic term meaning, among other things, that a candidate for occult wisdom must pass through successive gates in order to attain the highest knowledge possible to human beings. A common figure of speech in the ancient world, e.g., Egypt. In the Qabbalah fifty gates are enumerated, but

"the number is a blind, and there are really 49 gates, . . . These 'gates' typify the different planes of Being or Ens. They are thus the 'gates' of life and the 'gates' of understanding or degrees of occult knowledge. These 49 (or 50) gates correspond to the seven gates in the seven caves of Initiation into the Mysteries of Mithra (see Celsus and Kircher).

The division of the 50 gates into five chief gates, each including ten -- is again a blind. It is in the fourth gate of these five, from which begins, ending at the tenth, the world of Planets, thus making seven, corresponding to the seven lower Sephiroth -- that the key to their meaning lies hidden. They are also called the 'gates of Binah' or understanding" (TG 120).

(See also: Gates of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Goetia (Greek) (from goes enchanter, sorcerer)

Also goety. One who uses incantations by song or speech, one who holds others under the spell of sound, chants, or incantations. Porphyry condemns it as black magic, distinguishing it from theurgy or divine magic; and it has in general been so contrasted.

(See also: God-wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Dragon of Wisdom Commonly an adept, one of the wise; also popularly a skilled magician -- whether of the right or left path. Referring to the earliest stages of cosmogony, dragon is a term often used for the sun in its various cosmologic functions, also for the One or Logos. An important significance of the phrase is that the real initiator of humanity, or of the individual neophyte, is the person's own higher ego.

In Chinese Buddhism the term is used for the genii of the four quarters, called in China the Black Warrior, the White Tiger, the Vermilion Bird, and the Azure Dragon -- the Four Hidden Dragons of Wisdom. In her rendering of the Stanzas of Dzyan, Blavatsky uses Dragon of Wisdom as an equivalent of Oeaohoo the Younger -- the germ and overseer of all things to the end of the life cycle.

(See also: Dragon of Wisdom, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Several ancient peoples all over the world have described reptilian beings, and some have described reptilian humanoids. Common in numerous mythologies are tales of reptilian creatures (usually not humanoid) who are hostile to human beings. Also rather common are the myths of "Serpents of Wisdom" who enlightened humanity before the dawn of civilization; but it has been noted by mythologists that here "serpent" may only have been used to symbolize strangeness. Reptilian humanoid - The Americas. The Mayan god Gucumatz was described as a "ser ...

See also:

Reptilian humanoid, Reptilian humanoid - Mythological references to reptilian humanoids, Reptilian humanoid - The Americas, Reptilian humanoid - Europe, Reptilian humanoid - Indian, Reptilian humanoid - Asia, Reptilian humanoid - Mid-east, Reptilian humanoid - Africa, Reptilian humanoid - Australia, Reptilian humanoid - Alleged modern encounters, Reptilian humanoid - Modern claims, Reptilian humanoid - Claims about the Anunnaki, Reptilian humanoid - Pythagoreans, Reptilian humanoid - Conspiracy theories, Reptilian humanoid - Political references to reptilians

Read more here: » Reptilian humanoid: Encyclopedia II - Reptilian humanoid - Mythological references to reptilian humanoids

Sri Aurobindo comes at a very crucial moment in the history of thought when Marxist materialism, Nietzschean nihilism and Freudian vitalism were popular and fashionable. Besides, phenomenology and existentialism had their run along-side him. On the whole, along with the new-fangled science and Theosophy, these new philosophical formulations fermented enough confusion among the elite. In a way, the disparate positions arrived at in Western thought find their synthesis in Sri Aurobindo's philosophy. By aligning them with the ancient Indian wisdom, he comes up with an integral visio ...

See also:

Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo - Early experiences, Sri Aurobindo - Final conversion, Sri Aurobindo - Philosophical and spiritual writings, Sri Aurobindo - The Mother, Sri Aurobindo - Contribution to Hindu philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's evolutionary philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Involution, Sri Aurobindo - Evolution, Sri Aurobindo - Other points, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga, Sri Aurobindo - Divine Life on Earth, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence, Sri Aurobindo - Quotation, Sri Aurobindo - Partial bibliography, Sri Aurobindo - Related links

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Encyclopedia II - Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence

Traditionally , Indian political wisdom lists four methods of dealing with conflict: Saam, dān, dand and bhaid (conciliation, placating with gifts, use of force, sowing dissension). These recur again and again in various ancient political lectures. This type of dān would, of course, qualify as naimittik, i.e. one made with a purpose. Its utility is, therefore, quite clear to the donor. What about the sattvik dān, i.e. one made merely as a ...

See also:

Charity, Charity - Dān, Charity - Dān look-alikes, Charity - Sankalp – promise to give, Charity - Benefits of dān, Charity - Classification of dān, Charity - How much?, Charity - Forms of dān, Charity - The timing of dān, Charity - Publicising dān, Charity - Encouraging dān, Charity - The utility of dān

Read more here: » Charity: Encyclopedia II - Charity - The utility of dān

Vaishnavism

The system of Hindu beliefs and practices that honor Vishnu/Krishna as Supreme God; probably the most widely followed kind of Hinduism. Bhakti yoga is the primary practice of this religion, the final reward of which is eternal communion with God.

The most famous of this god's many names are Vishnu, Narayana, Hari, Bhagavan, Krishna, and Rama; hence the usage Vishnu/Krishna. Vaishnavism's ancient name, Bhagavata ("followers of the Blessed Lord, i. e. , Bhagavan"), may clarify its beginnings, for it makes a connection with the movement's two most important literary works: the Bhagavad Gita (first put in print ca. 150 BC) and the Bhagavata Purana (Shrimad Bhagavatam, ca. 850-900).

Though the tradition began earlier, two things became clear by about 200 BC: the Bhagavatas related to their god, Krishna, by devotion and accepted the Vedas and Upanishads, the scriptures of Brahmanic Hindu religion. In this process the Brahmanic deities Vishnu and Narayana became identified with Bhagavan Krishna. Thereafter, Krishna has been viewed as an incarnation (avatara) of the Supreme God Vishnu (by South Indian Vaishnavas), and Vishnu has been viewed as a subordinate form of the Supreme God Krishna (by North Indian Vaishnavas).

The Bhagavad Gita is the earliest full statement of the Bhagavata synthesis. Krishna teaches a path of salvation: desire-free performance of one's born duty should be combined with the meditative wisdom of the Upanishads, suffused by and culminating in loving devotion to Krishna.

(See also: Vaishnavism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Several ancient peoples all over the world have described reptilian beings, and some have described reptilian humanoids. Common in numerous mythologies are tales of reptilian creatures (usually not humanoid) who are hostile to human beings. Also rather common are the myths of "Serpents of Wisdom" who enlightened humanity before the dawn of civilization; but it has been noted by mythologists that here "serpent" may only have been used to symbolize strangeness. Reptilian humanoid - The Americas. The Mayan god Gucumatz was described as a "ser ...

See also:

Reptilian humanoid, Reptilian humanoid - Mythological references to reptilian humanoids, Reptilian humanoid - The Americas, Reptilian humanoid - Europe, Reptilian humanoid - Indian, Reptilian humanoid - Asia, Reptilian humanoid - Mid-east, Reptilian humanoid - Africa, Reptilian humanoid - Australia, Reptilian humanoid - Alleged modern encounters, Reptilian humanoid - Modern claims, Reptilian humanoid - Claims about the Anunnaki, Reptilian humanoid - Popular writings about reptilian humanoids, Reptilian humanoid - Conspiracy theories, Reptilian humanoid - The Reptilian Brain, Reptilian humanoid - Political references to reptilians

Read more here: » Reptilian humanoid: Encyclopedia II - Reptilian humanoid - Mythological references to reptilian humanoids

Sri Aurobindo comes at a very crucial moment in the history of thought when Marxist materialism, Nietzschean nihilism and Freudian vitalism were popular and fashionable. Besides, phenomenology and existentialism had their run along-side him. On the whole, along with the new-fangled science and Theosophy, these new philosophical formulations fermented enough confusion among the elite. In a way, the disparate positions arrived at in Western thought find their synthesis in Sri Aurobindo's philosophy. By aligning them with the ancient Indian wisdom, he comes up with an integral visio ...

See also:

Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo - Early experiences, Sri Aurobindo - Final conversion, Sri Aurobindo - Philosophical and spiritual writings, Sri Aurobindo - The Mother, Sri Aurobindo - Contribution to Hindu philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's evolutionary philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Involution, Sri Aurobindo - Evolution, Sri Aurobindo - Other points, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga, Sri Aurobindo - Divine Life on Earth, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence, Sri Aurobindo - Controvery over Supramental Lineage, Sri Aurobindo - Quotation, Sri Aurobindo - Partial bibliography, Sri Aurobindo - Related links

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Encyclopedia II - Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence

Scholars believe that Mahayana as a distinct movement began around the 1st century BCE in the North-western Indian subcontinent (in what is now the country of Pakistan) estimating a formative period of about three centuries before it was transmitted in a highly evolved form to China in the 2nd century CE. According to Williams (1989), the development of the Mahayana was a slow, gradual process. The Mahayana was not a rival school, and therefore it was not the consequence of a schism (sanghbheda). Mahayana and non-Mahayana monks could live without discord in the same monastery, ...

See also:

Mahayana, Mahayana - Doctrine, Mahayana - Universalism, Mahayana - Enlightened wisdom, Mahayana - Compassion, Mahayana - Salvation, Mahayana - Mahayana Scriptures, Mahayana - Origins, Mahayana - Epigraphical evidence, Mahayana - Scriptures, Mahayana - The 4th Buddhist Council, Mahayana - Expansion 1st c.CE–10th c.CE, Mahayana - Bibliography, Mahayana - Older works

Read more here: » Mahayana: Encyclopedia II - Mahayana - Origins

Tibetan Buddhism:

Tibetan Buddhism derives from the confluence of Buddhism and yoga which started to arrive in Tibet from India briefly around the late eighth century and then more steadily from the thirteenth century onwards. Indian Buddhism around that time had incorporated both Hindu yogic and tantric practices along with the classical teachings of the historical Buddha who lived around 500 BC.

It acknowledged that there were two paths to enlightenment (complete transcendence of identification with the personal ego). One path was that taught in the sutras according to the historical teachings. The heart of sutra practice was based on morality, concentration, and wisdom (not identifying with the personal ego. The other path, which has become the cornerstone of Tibetan variations, was tantric. This practice blended the sutra teachings with techniques adapted from Hindu systems of yoga and tantra.

(See also: Tibetan Buddhism, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Upanishad: (Sanskrit) "Sitting near devotedly."

The fourth and final portion of the Vedas, expounding the secret, philosophical meaning of the Vedic hymns.

The Upanishads are a collection of profound texts which are the source of Vedanta and have dominated Indian thought for thousands of years. They are philosophical chronicles of rishis expounding the nature of God, soul and cosmos, exquisite renderings of the deepest Hindu thought.

Traditionally, the number of Upanishads is given as 108. Ten to 16 are classified as "major" or "principle" Upanishads, being those which philosophers have commented on through the centuries. The Upanishads are generally dated later than the Samhitas and Brahmanas, though some are actually portions of the Brahmanas. It is thought that most were written down in Sanskrit between 1500 and 600 bce.

In content, these popular and approachable texts revolve around the identity of the soul and God, and the doctrines of reincarnation, of karma and of liberation through renunciation and meditation. They are widely available in many languages. Along with the Bhagavad Gita ("song of God") they were the primary scripture to awaken the Western world to the wealth of Hindu wisdom.

See: Upanishad, shruti, Vedas, Vedanta.

(See also: Upanishad, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Bible The Judeo-Christian holy book. The Bible is neither the literal word of God translated into the various languages, nor a collection of superstitious folklore, but a Jewish and late Greek version of the archaic wisdom expressed in the ancient mystery-language.

Blavatsky classes it among the largely esoteric works whose secret symbolism is found also in the Indian, Chaldean, and Egyptian scriptures. The real Hebrew Bible is to a certain extent known only in small part to its Talmudic and Qabbalistic interpreters. The primeval faith of Israel was not what it was made to be by those who would have converted the secret doctrine into a national exoteric religion -- by David, Hezekiah, and later the Talmudists. To trace the steps by which the ancient gnosis was handed down, adapted, transformed, perverted, and yet mysteriously preserved, is work to satisfy the most diligent scholar. "The real Hebrew Bible was a secret volume, unknown to the masses, and even the Samaritan Pentateuch is far more ancient than the Septuagint. As for the former, the Fathers of the Church never even heard of it" (IU 2:471).

Considered as history, the Bible is a patchwork of documents put together at different times, sometimes mere allegory, as in the creation story, or partly allegorical and partly literal, as in the story of the Flood, adapted to serve the purpose of embalming the sacred teachings. It is remarkable that Christians continue to preserve books like Ezekiel -- so obviously an esoteric work and so incomprehensible on ordinary doctrinal lines -- the Psalms of David, Ecclesiastes, and the Book of Job.

As regards the New Testament, the Gospels are esoteric books, in which the teachings of the ancient wisdom are built around the alleged story of the mission of Jesus, a teacher who lived at a somewhat earlier date than that assigned him. The epistles of Paul are the work of one with some claim to the title of an initiate, who speaks of Christ as the logos in man, and apparently knows naught of the life story of Jesus. The Revelation of St. John is a purely symbolic esoteric work, of a Qabbalistic character, curiously enough still retained in the Christian canon.

(See also: Bible, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Peepal tree

Botanical name or the Latin name: Ficus religious

Name in "Sanskrit" language: Ashvattha

The "Peepal tree" or the "holy fig tree" is the most accepted botanical entity in the Hindu tradition. It is considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists and its name has been referred in the Vedas and hindu epics. The saints used to meditate sitting under this holy tree. It was only under the Peepal tree that Gautam Buddha (9th Avataar of Lord Vishnu) attained enlightenment and that particular tree was named as "Bodhi-brikhsa", the wisdom-tree. The Peepal is considered as a feminine to the masculine Banyan tree.

The tree grows in most parts of India, especially on the banks of rivers and large water bodies and are abundantly found in the forests on the lower slopes of the Himalayas, Orissa as well as in central India. The Peepal-bark has light gray color and is smooth and the leaves have a distinctive shape of heart and have long and tapering tips. The tree is also used in Ayurveda (the Indian branch of medical science dealing with natural plants and products). €€€

(See also: Peepal tree, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

A Theosophical definition of Principles of Man :

Principles of Man

The seven principles of man are a likeness or rather copy of the seven cosmic principles. They are actually the offspring or reflection of the seven cosmic principles, limited in their action in us by the workings of the law of karma, but running in their origin back into THAT which is beyond: into THAT which is the essence of the universe or the universal  - above, beyond, within, to the unmanifest, to the unmanifestable, to that first principle which H. P. Blavatsky enunciates as the leading thought of the wisdom-philosophy of The Secret Doctrine.

These principles of man are reckoned as seven in the philosophy by which the human spiritual and psychical economy has been publicly explained to us in the present age. In other ages these principles or parts of man were differently reckoned  - the Christian reckoned them as body, soul, and spirit, generalizing the seven under these three heads.

Some of the Indian thinkers divided man into a basic fourfold entity, others into a fivefold. The Jewish philosophy, as found in the Qabbalah which is the esoteric tradition of the Jews, teaches that man is divided into four parts: neshamah, ruah, nefesh, and guf.

Theosophists for convenience often employ in their current literature a manner of viewing man's composite constitution which is the dividing of his nature into a trichotomy, meaning a division into three, being spirit, soul, and body, which in this respect is identical with the generalized Christianized theosophical division. Following this trichotomy, man's three parts, therefore, are: first and highest, the divine spirit or the divine monad of him, which is rooted in the universe, which spirit is linked with the All, being in a highly mystical sense a ray of the All; second, the intermediate part, or the spiritual monad, which in its higher and lower aspects is the spiritual and human souls; then, third, the lowest part of man's composite constitution, the vital-astral-physical part of him, which is composed of material or quasi-material life-atoms. (See also Atman, Buddhi, Manas, Kama, Prana, Linga-sarira, Sthula-sarira)

See also: Principles of Man, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul)