THEOSOPHY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 224, 25 March 1896, Page 2

THEOSOPHY.

TO TUE EDITOR. Sir, — Your Saturday's issue contained a letter of mine with the word Karma spelt as Karma. I have been asked to explain what Karma means. The word is from the Sanscrit. It means cause and effect, and is spoken of as Karma (action) in tbe theosophical language. Each action - using the word to include all forms of activity, mental, moral, physical— is a cause and must work out its full effect ; effect as regards the past ; it is cause as regards the future, and under this sway of Karinic law moves the whole life of man as of all worlds. Every debt incurred must be paid in this or some other life ; and as the wheel of life turns round it brings with it the fruit of every seed we have sown. Reincarnation under the Karmic law, such is the message of theosophy to a Christendom which relies on a vicarious atonement, and a swift escape to Paradise when the grave closes on the dead. Re-incarnation nnder Kaamic laws, until the fruit of every experience has been gathered, every blunder rectified, every fault eradicated, until compassion bas been made perfect, strength unbreakable, tenderness complete, self-abnegation the law of life. The foreeoing is said by Mrs Besant, President of the Theosophical Society. Whether we accent reincarnation or not will not change the inevitable. Many things point to it. Our character, where do we get it ? Is it not the result of experience ? Did Shakespear or Gladstone gain all their virtues in one life, or incarnation ? Would it be just to say God created them so in one incarnation ? Then why did He create those who are criminals in the same century ? As night succeeds day the spirit needs rest, and each according to his plane of progression will find his mansion in Heaven, or rest in perfect harmony. I am, etc., Makgaret H. Reade.