| Observations on "a letter addressed to the Fellows of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, by the President and a Vice- President of the Lodge." |
By T. Subba Row. |
There is nothing said in the Roles of the Theosophical Society which is likely to induce one into the belief that the Society, as such, has any particular religious doctrines, or owes exclusive allegiance to any definite school or system of philosophy, or to any fraternity of religious teachers. On the other hand, the Rules clearly indicate that the Society is at full liberty to investigate any philosophical system, ancient or modern, with a view to ascertain the broad fundamental principles which form the basis of every school of religious philosophy, properly so called, and thereby "promote the principle of a Universal Brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race or creed." It is, no doubt, expected that, after carefully inquiring into the doctrines of every such existing system, the Society will be able to "reconstruct religion on a scientific, and science on a religious, basis, and elaborate a perfect system of thought and rule of life;" just as a body of jurists may construct a perfectly scientific system of jurisprudence after investigating and comparing the various codes of law which are in force in all the civilized countries of this world. Before this grand object can be accomplished, every member is expected to study, to the best of his abilities, any system of religious philosophy which he may select, and place the result of his investigations before his fellow-members for comparison and discussion. But no member is allowed, by the Rules of the Association, to force his own individual opinions or beliefs on his fellow-members, or insist on their
