The exoteric teachings of every religion are presumably the simplest presentation, but at the same time, they should embody all the essential and important principles that the religion teaches.

It is a Theosophical principle that after the true teachings have been revealed by God's divine messengers, eventually, the teachings become subject to misinterpretations, corruptions and distortions through the subsequent actions of lesser followers and misguided students. We in Theosophy have focused on the esoteric and developed on the more complex and hidden aspects. But perhaps, in our complexity, we may have inadvertently lost a true appreciation of the simple truths. I feel that we should try and agree on the basics, first, to get on the same page, before we build on them and increase the areas of our disagreements.

Therefore, I am posting my thoughts in regard to some of the main religions. And I invite everyone to share his own personal insights relating to them so that we may together come to a clearer understanding of the divine message revealed through the different world religions.

Especially, I would like to learn from you:

1. How do our own teachings in Theosophy differ from the simple truths taught to ordinary laymen and simple believers? Especially, please cite those teachings that you consider to be important and relevant to all of us in our present situation, with emphasis on those that we can and should do something about, here and now.

2. What do you find to be mistaken or missed in this presentation and why? How can they be better interpreted and explained?

Hinduism
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Guide to Practical Living

At about 600BC in India, the people were disillusioned with their religion. The religious authorities were degenerate and self-seeking and thought only of their own personal gain. And so, the people were turning away from their old beliefs. Since some people felt that animals were better than humans, they turned again to worshipping animals as gods.

The Story of Gautama

Into this world was born a prince, Siddharta Gautama, son of a warrior king, a high Hindu raja. Because of a prophecy that the son would be a prophet of great renown, the king, who desired so much that his son succeed him and inherit his kingdom, determined to do all things possible in order that the prophecy should not come true.

He decreed that Gautama be prevented from knowing of the evils and sorrows beyond the palace confines. All his travels were to be supervised and he was to meet only his caste-equals. But Gautama would not be so restrained. Sensing that he was being so protected, he determined to obtain freedom from such restrictions.

One day, in defiance of his father’s orders, he slipped out of the palace grounds to learn what he could on his own. Outside, he saw an old, old man, trembling with age and illness, toothless, blind with cataract and senile. For the first time in his life, Gautama came to realize that old age comes to everyone, and with its coming, the body of man ceases to retain the activeness, strength and beauty that his own body then presently enjoyed.

Next, he saw an emaciated man, miserable and moaning while he picked yellow scabs from his disease-ridden body. Gautama was shocked and his mind began to question why these things happen.

But then further on, at the side of the road, he came upon a scene that would leave a very deep and lasting impression on him. Here was death staring him in the face, a naked corpse, discolored and odorous, covered by a dense cloud of flies opened to his gaze.

While he was meditating on all that he saw and was greatly troubled, he chanced upon a well-clad, serene monk, calm and tranquil, untroubled by the misery and suffering all around him. And thinking that old age, disease and death awaited all of mankind and that by being a religious, one could attain peace and contentment, he resolved that he would become as that monk. So, presently, he left the palace and he became a seeker after truth, searching for the answers to the mysteries of life.

For six long and hard years, he sought out all the leading teachers of his time, asking, learning all he could from each of them, until all the teachers could teach him no more. But still, he did not have the answers. Until, finally, he resolved that he would not stop meditating until he did find the answers. A few days later, he experienced an illumination, and he had his answers. And, at that moment, he became the Buddha, the "Enlightened One." Afterwards, he formulated the way of life that became known as Buddhism.

Influence of Hinduism

It must be remembered that Buddhism is based on the principles of Hinduism and espouses certain of its fundamental beliefs. Included among them are Transmigration or the return of the soul into other forms of life; Karma or the consequences of one’s actions and Nirvana, which is the state of being a pure spirit, pure, so far as lack of lust for physical things are concerned.

The Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path

Gautama, the Buddha, therefore enjoins man to follow the "Middle Way" of life between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification through man’s recognition of the Four Noble Truths which are:

1. Human life holds the possibility of suffering.

2. Human suffering is caused by desire or craving for the things that are of the world.

3. When one ceases to crave for a thing, then one ceases to have suffering connected with that thing; suffering ceases with the complete cessation of cravings.

4. Man can free himself of these cravings by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path is as follows:

1. Right viewpoint — We should be aware of our real self, the Spirit Self, thereby obtaining an understanding of spiritual realities untrammeled by the illusions in the world.

2. Right aspirations — We should direct our strivings toward our spiritual objectives.

3. Right speech — We should always speak with love and consideration for others as our guide.

4. Right behavior — We should return love for hate and good for evil.

5. Right mode of livelihood — We should engage in an occupation that is beneficial and never harmful.

6. Right efforts — We should act purposefully with due regard to our own individual capacity and personal preferences.

7. Right mindfulness — We should discipline our thoughts and emotions.

8. Right contemplation — We should listen intuitively to correctly determine our true needs.

In so following the Noble Eightfold Path, man shall be able to attain to the state of Nirvana, which is not a state of nothingness, but, rather, that Nirvana which is equivalent to the higher Christian heavens and the spiritual perfection that they signify.

Branches of Buddhism

One branch or form of Buddhism is Lamaism, which flourished in Tibet before the Communist takeover of that country. This form of Buddhism developed as a consequence of Tibetan customs and traditions and was very advanced in the metaphysical sciences as expounded by Lobsang Rampa.

Another branch of Buddhism is Zen Buddhism, which teaches that one must first experience before he can know the truth. According to this school, truth cannot be known by just listening to the spoken word, or by reading the printed page. While all are enjoined to read and study Scriptures and to listen attentively to the learned lectures of wise men, all these serve only to guide us. All such studies must be accompanied by actual related experiences before we may more fully understand. One picture is worth a thousand words, but one experience is worth a thousand pictures.