Djwal Khul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007)

Djwal Khul [1] ^[1] (variously spelled 'Djwhal Khul', 'Djwal Kul', or simply 'DK'), is supposed by some Theosophists and others to be a Tibetan Master in the tradition of ancient esoteric spirituality. The texts describe him as a member of the 'Spiritual Hierarchy', or 'Brotherhood', of Mahatmas, defined as the spiritual guides of mankind and teachers ancient cosmological, metaphysical, and esoteric principles that form the origin of all the world's great philosophies, mythologies and spiritual traditions.^[2] According to Theosophical writings, Djwal Khul is said to work on furthering the spiritual evolution of our planet, using highly developed powers of meditation known as siddhis.

Contents 1 In Theosophy and the writings of Alice Bailey 2 In other New Age movements 3 Previous incarnation 4 Function in the spiritual hierarchy 5 Criticism 6 Skeptical view 7 See also 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External links

[edit] In Theosophy and the writings of Alice Bailey

Djwal Khul's name first appeared in the work of Madame Blavatsky, a co-founder of the Theosophical Society. Though he is falsely attributed to helping write the Secret Doctrine, published in 1888, which was primarily written by Koot Hoomi and Morya, according to Blavatsky, Koot Hoomi and Morya within the Mahatman letters.

The writings state that he also lives an outwardly normal life among ordinary human beings.^[3] Theosophical texts state that the Mahatmas, members of the esoteric Brotherhood, were considered to have provided "hidden" guidance for the founding of the Theosophical Society in 1875. The texts state that Djwal Kul was also known by the name Gai Ben-Jamin in his youth, before he became a "Master", as he was later called. In some writings, his name was omitted and he was referred to by the abbreviation "Master D. K." or the appellation "The Tibetan". ^[4][5][2][3]

In 1919, the cook at the American Theosophical headquarters café, Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949), began writing books she described as being telepathically dictated to her by a "Master of the Wisdom" she referred to as "The Tibetan."^[6] (later associated with the initials D.K., and eventually the name "Djwal Khul", also spelled by her as 'Djwhal Khul'). Bailey stated that after initial resistance, she was eventually persuaded to write down the communications from this source. She wrote for 30 years, from 1919 to 1949.^[7]

Bailey wrote that Djwal Khul's intention was the revelation of esoteric truth in our time. She believed her work was done on behalf of the "Hierarchy" of advanced beings, that she stated included Djwal Khul, would help prepare the way for the "Reappearance of the Christ", and would be the second in a series of three revelations meant to usher in the New Age, she referred to as the "Age of Aquarius".

In a preface included in many of Bailey's books, Djwal Khul, in the dictations described by Bailey, refers to himself as an abbot of a Tibetan monastery and the spiritual preceptor of a large group of Lamas. She wrote that he lived in Northern India, near the borders of Tibet. Other than that the books do not include personal details about Djwal Khul, and the dictated content focuses on his esoteric teachings. Of the minimal personal details, Bailey writes that Djwhal Khul considers himself a "Master" and an advanced disciple in the spiritual, non-physical, Ashram of the Master Koot Hoomi, who is considered by Theosophists and other followers of Alice Bailey's teachings to be another member of the same "Hierarchy" of advanced beings.

C.W. Leadbeater claimed that he saw Djwal Khul teleport into a room in which he and Madame Blavatsky were sitting. ^[8]

[edit] In other New Age movements

Bailey's work and her books she described as "co-authored" with Djwal Khul were published and publicized by the Arcane School and the Lucis Trust, organizations she set up with her husband, Foster Bailey. Over time, Djwal Khul appeared in the writings about Ascended Masters (a phrase not used by Bailey) of various New Age organizations and Ascended Master Teachings; one example is Elizabeth Clare Prophet, who stated that she has channeled Djwal Khul as well as the other Mahatma's, Koot Hoomi and the Master El Moyra, resulting in dozens of volumes of transcriptions.^[9] Like Bailey, the leaders of these groups described themselves as having direct contact with him and other "Masters of Wisdom", and to be working as their disciples on the physical plane. Djwhal Khul generally appears as a modest figure in the 'pantheon' of groups not directly connected with the Arcane School. Within the Arcane School, he is treated as a teacher and not an object of devotion, according to his request as stated in the writings by Bailey.

[edit] Previous incarnation

According to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, one of Djwal Khul’s previous incarnations was as Caspar, one of the Three Wise Men. ^[10]

[edit] Function in the spiritual hierarchy

It is believed by those adherent to the Alice A. Bailey, Ascended Master, and Benjamin Creme teachings that Djwal Khul coordinates the activities of the seven masters of the Seven Rays to advance the Plan of the Masters and is the communications director of the Ascended Masters, because he is the one from whom Alice A. Bailey said she channeled most of her books.

[edit] Criticism

The teachings of Djwal Khul, as conveyed through Bailey's many books in his name, stirred controversy with various statements about nationalism, race relations, American isolationism, Soviet totalitarianism, fascism, Nazism, and Zionism. The books include content critical of people of African descent, the Jewish people, and the religions of Judaism and orthodox Christianity. Some authors have described elements of these writings as racist, and antisemitic. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

[edit] Skeptical view

The scholar K. Paul Johnson maintains that the "Masters" that Madame Blavatsky wrote about and produced letters from were actually idealizations of people who were her mentors. Johnson asserts that the Djwal Khul was actually Dayal Singh Majithia, a member of the Singh Saba, an Indian independence movement organization and Sikh reform movement. ^[14]

[edit] See also

• Seven Rays

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Campbell, Bruce F. A History of the Theosophical Movement Berkeley:1980 University of California Press
• Godwin, Joscelyn The Theosophical Enlightenment Albany, New York: 1994 State University of New York Press
• Johnson, K. Paul The Masters Revealed: Madam Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood Albany, New York: 1994 State University of New York Press
• Melton, J. Gordon Encyclopedia of American Religions 5th Edition New York:1996 Gale Research ISBN 0-8103-7714-4 ISSN 1066-1212 Chapter 18--"The Ancient Wisdom Family of Religions" Pages 151-158; see chart on page 154 listing Masters of the Ancient Wisdom; Also see Section 18, Pages 717-757 Descriptions of various Ancient Wisdom religious organizations.

[edit] External links

• Complete Works of Alice Bailey that can be downloaded at no charge
• Extract from a Statement by the Tibetan Brief message from Djwhal Khul which prefaces each of the Alice A. Bailey books.
• Theosophical University Press: Madame Blavatsky and other theosophists
• Interpretation of DK Symbol
• Images of Djwal Khul:
• Full text of “Masters and the Path” by C.W. Leadbeater: