Transcriber's Notes: Underscores "_" before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ in the original text. Equal signs "=" before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold= in the original text. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Typographical errors have been silently corrected but other variations in spelling and punctuation remain unaltered. The heading on page 188 was changed from “ON SELF-RELIANCE” to “ON SELF-SACRIFICE”, to agree with the Table of Contents, and the subject of the section. The Key to Theosophy [Illustration] THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY BEING _A CLEAR EXPOSITION, IN THE FORM OF QUESTION AND ANSWER_ OF THE ETHICS, SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY FOR THE STUDY OF WHICH THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY HAS BEEN FOUNDED BY H. P. BLAVATSKY [Reprinted Verbatim from the Original Edition first published in 1889.] THE UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1920 _Dedicated_ by “_H. P. B._” _To all her Pupils_ _that_ _They may Learn and Teach in their turn_ CONTENTS SECTION I. Page THEOSOPHY AND THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY: The Meaning of the Name 1 The Policy of the Theosophical Society 3 The Wisdom-Religion Esoteric in all Ages 5 Theosophy is not Buddhism 10 SECTION II. EXOTERIC AND ESOTERIC THEOSOPHY: What the Modern Theosophical Society is not 12 Theosophists and Members of the “T.S.” 15 The Difference between Theosophy and Occultism 19 The Difference between Theosophy and Spiritualism 21 Why is Theosophy accepted? 27 SECTION III. THE WORKING SYSTEM OF THE T.S.: The Objects of the Society 30 The Common Origin of Man 31 Our other Objects 36 On the Sacredness of the Pledge 37