A Quarterly Journal of Research Volume XI, No.3 July 2005 ISSN 0951-497X A Quarterly Journal of Research Founded by Leslie Price, 1985 Volume XI, No. 3 July 2005 EDITOR displayed an affinity to modern Theosophy. The subscription rate for residents in the James A. Santucci U.S., Mexico, and Canada is $22.00 (one year) or $39.00 (two years). California res- California State University, Fullerton idents, please add $1.71 (7.75%) sales tax onto the $22 rate or $3.02 onto the $39 rate. For residents outside North America, the subscription rate is $26.00 (£15 ASSOCIATE EDITORS British Sterling) (one year) or $47.00 (£25) (two years).Air mail is $40.00 (£22) $36 $74.00 (£41) Robert Boyd for Europe and Asia and for Pan American nations (one year) or for Europe and Asia and $67 for Pan American nations (two years). Single issues are † $8.00 (£4.50). Electronic (PDF) issues are $2.50 (£1.50) each or $10 (£5.50) for John Cooper $17.00 (£9.50) University of Sydney any four available issues and for any eight available issues. Subscriptions may also be paid in British sterling.All inquiries should be sent to James Santucci, Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, John Patrick Deveney Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.). Periodicals postage paid at Fullerton, California New York, NY 92631-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Theosophical History (c/o James Santucci), Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, April Hejka-Ekins California State University, Stanislaus Fullerton, CA 92834-6868. The Editors assume no responsibility for the views expressed by authors in Theosophical History. Jerry Hejka-Ekins Nautilus Books This periodical is indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, published by the American Theological Library Association, 250 S. Wacker Dr., 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, email: [email protected], world wide web: http://www.atla.com. Theosophical History Robert Ellwood Emeritus, University of Southern California assumes no responsibility for the views expressed by the contributors to the journal. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Antoine Faivre Emeritus, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS Joscelyn Godwin Colgate University The final copy of all manuscripts—article, communication, or review—must be submitted in Microsoft Word (any version) electronically, preferably by email attach- [email protected] Jean-Pierre Laurant ment.The email address is . Emeritus, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris Bibliographical entries and citations must be placed in endnote format.The cita- tions must contain complete bibliographical information. For books, the publisher’s J. Gordon Melton name and the place and date of the publication are required; for journal articles, the Institute for the Study of American Religion volume, number, and date must be included. There is no limitation on the length of University of California, Santa Barbara manuscripts. In general, articles of 30 pages or less will be published in full; articles in excess of 30 pages may be published serially in the journal or as a separate publica- Leslie Price tion in the Occasional Papers Series.. Former Editor, Theosophical History Brief communications, review articles, and book reviews are welcome. All correspondence, manuscripts, and subscriptions should be sent to: Gregory Tillett University of Western Sydney, Nepean Dr. James A. Santucci Department of Comparative Religion Karen-Claire Voss California State University, P.O. Box 6868 Fatih University – Istanbul Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.) FAX: 714-693-0142 Email: [email protected] With the assistance of Vanessa Karam. TELEPHONE: 714-278-3727 Website: www.theohistory.org Theosophical History (ISSN 0951-497X) is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October by James A. Santucci (Department of Comparative Religion, California Copyright ©2005 by James A. Santucci Theosophical History State University, P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 U.S.A.) The journal consists Composition and logo by Eric Santucci www.ericsantucci.com of four issues per volume: one volume covering a period of one year.The journal’s pur- pose is to publish contributions specifically related to the modern Theosophical Movement, from the time of Madame Helena Blavatsky and others who were respon- sible in establishing the original Theosophical Society (1875), to all groups that derive their teachings—directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly—from her or her immediate followers. In addition, the journal is also receptive to related movements (including pre-Blavatskyite Theosophy, Spiritualism, Rosicrucianism, and the philosophy of Emanuel Swedenborg to give but a few examples) that have had an influence on or Theosophical History: :Occasional Papers (ISBN 1-883279-00-3) Editor: James A. Santucci VOLUME I Witness for the Prosecution:Annie Besant’s Testimony on Behalf of H.P. Blavatsky in the N.Y. Sun/Coues Law Case Introduction by Michael Gomes VOLUME II Joan Grant:Winged Pharaoh By Jean Overton Fuller VOLUME III Ammonius Saccas and His Eclectic Philosophy as Presented by Alexander Wilder By Dr. Jean-Louis Siémons VOLUME IV W.T. Brown’s “Scenes in My Life” Introduction by Michael Gomes VOLUME V Krishnamurti and the World Teacher Project: Some Theosophical Perceptions By Govert Schüller VOLUME VI Astral Projection or Liberation of the Double and the Work of the Early Theosophical Society By John Patrick Deveney VOLUME VII Cyril Scott and a Hidden School:Towards the Peeling of an Onion By Jean Overton Fuller VOLUME VIII Franz Hartmann’s Some Fragments of the Secret History of the Theosophical Society Introduction by Robert Hütwohl VOLUME IX The Unseen Worlds of Emma Hardinge Britten: Some Chapters in the History of Western Occultism By Robert Mathiesen VOLUME X: The Coulomb Case By Michael Gomes Contents July 2005 Volume XI, Number 3 Editor’s Comments James Santucci . 1 Article Beatrice Lane Suzuki and Theosophy In Japan Adele S.Algeo . 3 Interview Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller Charles Schofield . .17 Book Review The Coulomb Case Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke . 23 Theosophie und Antroposophie. Neue Aspekte zu ihrer Geschichte aus dem Nachlaß von Wilhelm Hübbe-Schleiden (1848-1916) mit einer Auswahl von 81 Briefen Michel Hendriks. 27 Editor’s Comments In this Issue wo somewhat unusual offerings appear with Theosophy and the T.S. These letters in this issue: one an article by Adele S. allow us a glance into the largely unexplored Algeo titled “Beatrice Lane Suzuki and activities of Japanese Theosophists and Theosophy in Japan”, the second an interview Theosophical activities from a Lodge secre- with author and Bishop of the Ecclesia tary’s perspective. One wonders what other TGnostica, Dr. Stephan Hoeller. Mrs. Algeo’s discoveries will be made if research is pursued, article contains six letters written by Beatrice considering that members of the Society were Lane Suzuki between 1924 and 1928, not as a all fairly well educated, active and progressive Buddhist but as an officer of the Theosophical in outlook. Among the members was Mrs. Society. According to Mrs.Algeo, Beatrice Lane Suzuki’s husband, Teitaro, who is best known Suzuki’s involvement with the Theosophical for his numerous studies in Zen Buddhism, but Society probably was initiated around 1920, who in an earlier part of his life was associated despite her contact with one of the more with the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. notable Theosophists during her college years The Suzukis present a fascinating portrait of at Radcliffe, the philosopher-psychologist the cross-pollination of Western and Eastern William James, whose affiliation, however, was ideas and of Western pragmatism and Eastern most likely unbeknownst to her. Within a few Zen. In all likelihood they considered months of joining the Society, Mrs. Suzuki Theosophy to be the common denominator of accepted the duty of Acting Secretary of the Western and Eastern ideas. With this in mind, newly organized Tokyo International Lodge due Mrs.Algeo’s article presents an excellent intro- to the Secretary’s extended absence from duction to Theosophy’s presence in the Far Japan. A few years later, she served as East. How much of a presence remains to be Secretary of the Mahåyåna Lodge, and it was in seen, but further investigation may promise this capacity that these six letters were writ- some surprising results. ten, all informing the international leadership of the Lodge’s activities. Located in the archives The second contribution in this issue is of the International Headquarters of The unique for this journal. No interview has ever Theosophical Society in Chennai (Adyar), appeared in Theosophical History prior to these letters offer a glimpse into Theosophical Charles Schofield’s interview of Dr. Stephan activity in Japan, a land that might be consid- Hoeller. Its genesis came about through an ered as having only a peripheral relationship assignment in my New Religions class at 1 Editor’s Comments California State University. Mr. Schofield, one chair of Western Esotericism at the University of my students, wished at the outset to con- of Exeter and author of numerous books and duct an interview of Dr. Hoeller on the subject articles, including “The Divine Fire: H.P. of Gnosticism. Since I have known of Dr. Blavatsky and the Theology of Electricity” Hoeller’s work for many years, my curiosity got (Theosophical History IX, no. 4, October 2003), the better of me, so I suggested that perhaps it