Hardcover ISBN: 9781557000040
Softcover ISBN: 9781557000033
The Secret Doctrine comprises a virtual encyclopedia of the "anciently universal wisdom-tradition" — scarcely an issue of consequence in the broad range of human experience is left untouched. As part of the Secret Doctrine Centenary project, this 441-page Index provides ready access to the vast quantity of material from many cultures set forth in the SD's original two volumes published in 1888. Due to the topics covered, it is as much an index of ideas as it is of subjects, works, persons, and proper names. To aid the reader, major subject entries are cross-referenced; foreign terms are identified by language and, where possible, given in both their 1888 spelling(s) and as modernly transliterated, often with one or two word definitions. Subentries are arranged alphabetically. Cited works and authors, whose titles or names are not given in the SD are placed in brackets for convenient identification. Also included is an Appendix of foreign phrases with translation and source reference — all helping to make this Index an invaluable reference tool for students of The Secret Doctrine.
John P. Van Mater (1917-2002) was born in Vallejo, California, and joined the international headquarters of The Theosophical Society in 1937, then located at Point Loma, California. He attended Theosophical University, receiving a BA in English Literature. From 1942 to 1948 he served as Secretary General of the TS, and from 1948 to 1982 was head of the American Section. In 1972 Grace F. Knoche appointed him Head Librarian of Theosophical University Library in Altadena, California. John is remembered for his kindness, humor, intellectual depth, love of people, and sharing his wide-ranging interests in theosophy, literature, history, and science. Over the years John wrote scores of articles for theosophical periodicals — over one hundred for Sunrise alone — and delivered many public lectures. In 1979 he began preparing this comprehensive Index to The Secret Doctrine, published in 1997.
Books
The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy : Index