I have started reading Seven Religions by Annie Besant, from transcripts of lectures she gave on the major religions of the world. Some of you may have seen a version published decades ago called Four Religions. As the original series of lectures was for seven religions, the book has recently been re-released, with all of the lectues now included.

Hinduism is the first religion covered in the book. I have only read the frst few pages, but I must say, the philosophical basis of Hinduism is quite like Theosophy, although she says that the Hindu way to accelerate speed upon the Path is through Yoga. I am sure other differences will come up as I read further.

The book also covers Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and others, which I know nothing about. I am curious as to how all of these religions compare to each other.

http://www.questbooks.net/title.cfm?bookid=55

I have finished the chapter on Hinduism. There are several similarities between Hinduism and Theosophy. I have listed the similarities, and the page numbers where the references appear.

IDEAS IN COMMON

Brahman pg. 9
Brahman voluntarily limits itself by veiling itself in Maya pg. 9
The concepts of Sat, Chit, and Ananda pg. 10
A gradual, not sudden manifestation of the Universe pgs. 11-12
From the concealed comes the manifest pg. 12
Humans go through a slow evolution, wrought by the wheel of births and deaths pg. 13
Man is bound to the wheel of re-birth by a desire for sentient existence pg. 13
When all desires have been abandoned, the man becomes immortal pg. 14
Freedom from re-birth only comes when desire for anything of the three worlds is dead pg. 14
Karma pg. 14
Life is a series of stages climbed into ever-expanding consciousness pg. 15
Consciousness begins with the uttermost ignorance, enwrapped in sheath after sheath of matter (in order to come in contact with all regions of the Universe), bringing forth into manifestation all latent powers pg. 16
Maya, the idea that this world is illusion. All but Brahman is illusion pg. 21
Man rises from stage to stage, ever coming nearer to the Self pg. 23
Exoteric vs. esoteric teachings pg. 24
Matter is alive not dead pgs. 25-26
All forms in the Universe are the expression of the thoughts of living intelligence pgs. 25-26
Seven Hindu regions in the Universe = the seven Theosophical planes of existence pg. 28
Jivanmutki = Nirmanakaya pg. 43

I have decided to post about each religion in the Religions and Philosophies section. This may give peole a chance to consider each individual religion in more depth.

I haven't read this. I will get a hold of a copy, thank you. I think HPB has claimed most of the Eastern religions and philosopies are built on the same premises as Theosophy, so the hinduism similarity is consistent. Should be a great read.