Introductiont to The Voice of the Silence - H. P. Blavatsky 2/4

The Voice of the Silence is divided in three sections, called 'fragments', and since the first section is the most complex, with notions of Nada Yoga, it has been thought preferable to present the second section to begin with,  and the second fragment begins with a chela, having went through the experiences in the first fragment, delivering more introductory teachings. This section, entitled The Two Paths, can broadly be considered similar to the Pratyeka and Bodhisattva paths as explained in Mahayana Buddhism. Further elaborated, one can also draw parallels with the three vehicles of Mahayana Buddhism, Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, which could be said to roughly be related to sections 2, 3 and 1 respectively. Indeed, the three sections could be said to have correspondences with the three stages of Christian Mysticism, Purgative, Illuminative, Unitive, or the three stages in Sufism, Takhliya, Tahliya, Tajliya or Purification, Beautification, Magnification, (although the Four Doors are more common).

Section 1 (Stanzas 101-108) presents the notions of the Doctrine of the Eye and the Doctrine of the Heart, the exoteric and esoteric paths. It also presents the notion of Alaya, the World Soul, (see https://blavatskytheosophy.com/alaya-the-universal-soul/ ) a fundamental theosophical concept.

Section 2 (109-122) continues to explain the exoteric and esoteric concepts, while contrasting ignorance and wisdom, as well as humility and pride.

Section 3 (123-136) deals with the problems of selfishness, inaction, quietism, and isolationism on the spiritual path. It gives the following advice: Love all beings. Do not neglect your parents. Non-action does not mean inaction. The lamp burns bright when wick and old are clean. One can face physical agitation and still have a tranquil mind. Solitary forest asceticism is not the way to final liberation. Physical punishment and conquering physical vices are not the final steps. After reaching enlightenment, one has a duty to reach out to others. Kind actions give merit while failing to do acts of charity is a fault. Self-Knowledge comes through good deeds and actions.

Section 4 (137-146) teaches to have patience, as one who fears no failure, courts no success; fix your Soul's gaze upon the star whose ray you are. Have perseverance as one who for evermore endures; sow with the seeds of merit the fields of future harvests; accept the woes of birth; step out from sunlight into shade, to make more room for others.

Through the pain of karmic retribution, we can weave the three vestures (Buddhist Trikaya): Nirmânakâya, Sambhogakâya, and Dharmakâya. The way of the Bodhisattvas of the "Secret Heart is explained:To live to benefit mankind is the first step; to practise the six virtues (Paramitas) is the second. To don the Nirmânakâya robe is to forego eternal bliss for Self, to help on man's salvation. To reach Nirvâna's bliss, but to renounce it, is the supreme, the final step — the highest on Renunciation's Path.

Section 5  (147- 163) teaches that if one does not feel ready for the esoteric path, then one can pursue the exoteric path, accumulate merit and wait for the chance to pursue the secret path in future lives. One is also advised to accept the law of Karma and be patient with your fate. One is advised to be kind and helpful to one’s colleagues because we are linked to them through many incarnations.

‘’'Tis from the bud of Renunciation of the Self, that springeth the sweet fruit of final Liberation’’. It is said to be a mistake to avoid helping others out of fear of succumbing to temptations, while living in seclusion. One has to actively pursues one’s duties in life, following the wheel of life, enduring pleasure and pain, purifying your karma and gaining merit and spiritual development for future incarnations.

If one cannot pursue the path with tireless heroic energy, one can pursue a humbler course by doing one’s best to live and promote the spiritual path. ‘’Be, O Lanoo, like them. Give light and comfort to the toiling pilgrim, and seek out him who knows still less than thou; who in his wretched desolation sits starving for the bread of Wisdom and the bread which feeds the shadow, without a Teacher, hope or consolation, and — let him hear the Law.’’

The Srotâpatti stage is the first stage on the path and one enters it with humility. Through devotion, one may gain Siddhis that one had in previous births. One needs to be humble to acquire wisdom, and even humbler when one acquires whatever level of wisdom one can attain, and this comes with a great deal of equanimity.

Section 6 (164-178) deals with the combat between the lower self and the higher Self, the quest for Nirvana and more on the Nirmanakaya vesture. Restrain the lower Self by the Divine self. Restrain the Divine by the Eternal. Great is the slayer of desire. Greater is one who has slain the very knowledge of desire. Guard the Lower self lest it soil the Higher self. The way to final freedom is within yourself. That way begins and ends outside of the lower self.

He who has Wisdom is honoured by all men. Arhans and Sages of the boundless Vision are exceedingly rare. No Arhan, becomes one in that birth when one begins to long for final liberation. Not one recruit can ever be refused the right to enter on the Path that leads toward the field of Battle. ‘’For, either he shall win, or he shall fall.  Yea, if he conquers, Nirvâna shall be his’’; and in him will men honour a Buddha.

‘’And if he falls, e'en then he does not fall in vain; the enemies he slew in the last battle will not return to life in the next birth that will be his.’’ If one would reach Nirvâna, or the Nirmanakaya state, let not the fruit of action and inaction be your motive. A Bodhisattva who chooses the Nirmanakaya vesture is called, "thrice Honoured."

Section 7 (179-195) is a general summary of the Pratyeka path and the Bodhisattva path. The Pratyeka path is the path of liberation where one enters the Dharmakaya state and Nirvana. The concern is mainly with personal salvation only.

The Bodhisattva path is the path of renunciation, the path of woe, the secret path where or of pity and boundless compassion for suffering humanity, one delays entering the Nirvana state to continue working for the salvation of the world. One enters Nirvana after countless kalpas, (at the Maha-Pralaya at the end of the seventh round). "Sweet are the fruits of Rest and Liberation for the sake of Self; but sweeter still the fruits of long and bitter duty. Aye, Renunciation for the sake of others, of suffering fellow men." 

 

 Part 1

Part 3