In conclusion of our three part series on the Masters I have included an excerpt that is a concise statement of historical reality as it relates to the early days of Buddhism. It is my desire that you will understand an important and often ignored aspect in the development of all esoteric schools. By its nature a school is a physical mechanism or gateway to the invisible – and that is why esoteric schools are important. Western esotericism has for the last thirty years or so has been caught up in abstractions keeping it’s students too often disconnected from both inner and outer realities – which are in fact one and the same. We aim to correct that, even if on a smaller scale.
Only by accepting reality, or life as it is, can we begin to make progress. As I have stated repeatedly of late, for too long we have protected students of esotericism from the reality of what is required and what is happening, and that protection has only lead to unrealistic ideas about the Work itself, relationships, and the real power and potential that exists in each of us. For that real power to be awakened and used it needs to be exercised, and that only comes in the form of challenges, service, and a joyful heart in the face of the storms that can come from seemingly nowhere and into daily life.
The Kingdom of Mara
“Not only did Buddha have to contend with rebellions within his own community, to achieve his goals he had to operate within a world of social change and political upheaval. In the prosperous Gangetic basin of North India, power was shifting from republican confederacies of clans to autocratic monarchies with imperial ambitions. Contrary to legend, Gotama was not a prince of even a minor kingdom but the son of a leading elder within the oligarchic republic of Shakya. Although he renounces his own role as political leader upon becoming a wondering ascetic, after his awakening he required the patronage and protection of the political powers of his time in order that his community and teachings could survive.
He found much of this patronage and protection where wealth and power were most concentrated: in the kingdoms of Magadha and Kosala. His major training and teaching centers were duly established in Rajagaha, capital of Magadha, and Savatthi (Sravasti), capital of Kosala. To a lesser extent, he stayed and taught at Vesali, capital of the Vajjian Confederacy, the largest surviving republic. As Gotama’s prestige grew and his order of monks expanded, his fate became unavoidably tied to the political ambitions and fortunes of these states….
The world around Buddha was torn apart. The political forces that had until then been held in check erupted in a storm of destruction. Not only did Vidudabha exterminate the Shakyans, Ajatsattu conquered the Vajjian Confederacy, thus wiping out the only significant republican state in the region. Was the circumspection Buddha exhibited … diplomatically motivated to preserve the delicate balance of power between these contending states? Whether or not he intentionally played a political role, Gotama had to function within a world every bit as devious, violent, and unpredictable as our own.
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To tackle Mara in the political realm is a hazardous exercise that calls for utmost vigilance and care. Gotama had to realize his goals within the political environment of his time, but his goals were not in themselves political. Shortly after the awakening, before Brahma inspired him to set off into the world, two merchants offered him some rich food that made him ill and weak. Mara appeared and urged him not to fight the sickness and die. “I shall not enter final nirvana,” retorted Buddha, “until my disciples have become learned, wise, and intelligent, … sufficiently accomplished in their own discourse so that my teachings will be extensively practiced and spread far and wide among many people.” Fifty years later with his world collapsing around him and his body succumbing to illness and age, he has succeeded in accomplishing this goal without regrets. And while his footprints still leave their mark today, the traces of Bimbisara, Ajatasattu, and Pasenadi survive as mere footnotes to his story.” (p. 169)
Living with the Devil – A Meditation on Good and Evil by Stephen Batchelor
If you wish to leave your footprint in this world, then remember your duties as we have stated before, and help us make a difference. By now all of you are aware of the fires raging near Los Angeles, California. These fires threatened the great collections at the Philosophical Research Society, Self-Realization Fellowship, and the Getty Museum – collections all established through patronage. The Theosophical Society in Altadena, two Waldorf Schools, and at least a dozen places of worship were destroyed. It is unclear what other esoteric groups have been affected or private collections lost. We may never know the real impact.
Since news of these losses became public I have been contacted by many people asking if or why more records were or were not preserved in digital formats and if we at the Institute are doing the same. My response is simple, “With enough money we can do anything. How much Time, Talent, and Treasure can I count on you for to make that project happen?” With sufficient resources we know what we can accomplish, without it we know what it impossible.
That really is it, that is what it comes down to on terra firma. Unless one is an adept, a genuine adept, “thoughts and prayers” are not enough. They are a wonderful start, but a very poor end as by themselves they are not an action – and this is the world of Action. Only thoughts and prayers that become an action matter.
In light of the tragic losses mentioned above, we invite you to assist us in this life changing project, the firm establishment of the IHS Collection in the premier research library in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Your support is your gift to yourself and others, as well as to the future.
Re-read the excerpt above and realize that even Buddha needed money and volunteers to get things done.
Then go to the link below, watch the video, examine current pictures of the collection, and make your life changing donation to establish the IHS Collection. This is your gift to future self, and to the self-awakening of others.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-stavish-preserve-esoteric-wisdom
Sincerely,
Mark Stavish, M.A.
Director of Studies
Institute for Hermetic Studies
