Theosophy

Southland Times, Issue 19202, 13 November 1903, Page 2

Theosophy

Miss Lilian Edger, M.A., who is now touring the colony in the mt«re«ts of the Theosophical Society atu Theosophy, arrived in InvercargUl yesterday, and was interviewed by a representative of this journal. Miss Edger has had ample opportunities of studying that philosophy, and her scholastic attainments are auihcient guarantee that it has received very careful consideration at her hands. She h a s been delivering lectures in New Zealand for some time, and has everywhere had successful meetings and good audiences. Asked what were the general objects of tho Society, Miss* Edger replied : "The aitu oi" the Theosojvhicnl fcociety is to bring nWom a fuller recognition of the unity oi religious, so that the Society really consists of n body of students who are studying religions comparatively. In this «omparative study one of tho results brought about is the intensifying, of the religions life o» each religion. That in th.- work which is being done in India— the intensifying and spiritualising of the Hindu religions, nnd bringing out their inner meanings and reality. The prevailing religiony of India are Brahiuinism. Hinduism. Parseeisin and "Mohaanmedanisin. and a good deal of work h a s been done in connection with Brnhminism and the I'arsee religion particularly."

• It is understood then that Tlieosophy does not directly controvert the prevailing religions?"

' Wo don't controvert them, because we recognise they are teaching the same truths as are taught in other religions — such as Christianity —only in a different Porni "

" We have hud lecturers tolling us of (he idolatry alul worshipping oi

hnagi's practised in India. The Societv curl hardly support thnt ?"

j • You will find the same thing in 'Christian churches, who worship Christ through pictures and images. I don't think you will lind, oven amongst the most ignorant Hindus, that they do not realise it is something beyond the image that is »vorshipped. That is what the TheoSophical Society is trying to emphasise, — the spiritual reality which ig at the back of the forms and ceremonies. Of course there has gathered a great deal of superstition and misunderstanding around the religions, 'as there has round every religion, and any effort that is matie to intensiTy their spirituality necessarily tends to minimise superstition. In the Hindu religion I have found tho same morality as there is in tho Christian Scriptures. In certain Sacrifices there are symbolical statements and allegories which, of course, may be misunderstood, but the spiritual meaning underlying them, as understood by the cultured arid, ethical, and the Hindus themselves, are certainly free from any charge of immorality."

"Do yon /md that the Society's work in India is suceeHsful ?"

'■ Yes. During the 2."> or 80 years that the Society^ has been working in India there certainly has come a

marked difference, in. that there is a stronger spiritual movement amongst the people, especially amongst the younger men and college students."

" Mas the Society any college in which Theosophy is made a study ?"

" Not exactly. There has been hegun in lU'iiuros a central Hindu college, on the committee of which aro some members of the Theosophical Society, who take an active part in the movement. The aim of it is to giv© (ho youths tl college education and at the same time instruction in their own religion, as distinguished from tin- minion culli^os. wlu-iv thr-l'e is 1 instruction in Christianity, and the (ioverriineni colleges, where there is no religious instruction. We hope that this is only the beginning of what will ultimately be tl , \vi-y much larger movement."

Miss Edger will sfumd a IVw du,vs in Jjivercarjfill. and will then rt'tuni north to lecture in Christduirch and Wellington. She next, goes to Australia, and expects to return to India about the end of next year.