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Cited by 3Religious Studies and Spiritual PracticesChinese history and philosophyStudy and Philosophy of Religion

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The Ascended Confucius: Images of the Chinese Master in the Euro-American Esoteric Discourse

Open access
Pokorny, Lukas K.·2023·Numen
DOI 10.1163/15685276-20231713
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Abstract

Abstract This article provides a diachronic panorama of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century Euro-American esoteric images of Confucius. After selected appraisals capturing the polyphony of nineteenth-century notions of Confucius, emphasis is given to spiritualist and Theosophical appropriations. Next, his soteriological elevation and the introduction of fellow Chinese Masters within the Ascended Masters context are explored in relation to the I AM Activity and, specifically, the post-Second World War groups The Bridge to Freedom (present-day The Bridge to Spiritual Freedom) and The Church Universal and Triumphant. Overall, this article traces the transformation of the esoteric Confucius trope, which substantially contributed to the wider public perception of Confucius and Confucianism.

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 27

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  2. Anonymous. 1882. Hints on Esoteric Theosophy, 2nd ed. Calcutta: The Calcutta Central Press.
  3. Anonymous. 1888. “Is It a Re-Embodiment?” Banner of Light: An Exponent of the Spiritual Philosophy of the Nineteenth Century 64(14): 4.
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  5. Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. 1875. “A Few Questions to ‘Hiraf.’” Spiritual Scientist: A Weekly Journal Devoted to the Science, History, Philosophy, and Teachings of Spiritualism 2(19): 217–218, 224.
  6. Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. 1884. “Mahatmas and Chelas.” The Theosophist: A Monthly Journal Devoted to Oriental Philosophy, Art, Literature and Occultism Embracing Mesmerism, Spiritualism, and Other Secret Sciences 5(10): 233.
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  8. de Brath, Stanley. 1929. “Chinese Scripts and Voices.” Quarterly Transactions of the British College of Psychic Science 8(3): 209–217.
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  10. King, Godfré Ray. 1935. Unveiled Mysteries. Chicago: Saint Germain Press.
  11. Leadbeater, Charles Webster. 1913. The Hidden Side of Things, vol. 1. Adyar: The Theosophical Publishing House.
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  13. Oxley, William. 1877. Angelic Revelations Concerning the Origin, Ultimation, and Destiny of the Human Spirit, vol. 2. Manchester: T. Gaskell.
  14. Pokorny, Lukas K. Forthcoming. “The Theosophical Daodejing: The Beginnings.” In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter (eds.), Appropriating the Dao: The Euro- American Esoteric Reception of China. London: Bloomsbury.
  15. Pokorny, Lukas K., and Franz Winter. Forthcoming. “China in the Western Esoteric Imagination: Contouring a Lacuna.” In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter (eds.), Appropriating the Dao: The Euro-American Esoteric Reception of China. London: Bloomsbury.
  16. Printz, Thomas. 1958. “Confucius: The New Hierarch of the Rocky Mountain Retreat; A Short Biography and a Few of His Sayings.” The Bridge Journal 7 (October 7): 10–11.
  17. Printz, Thomas. 1959. “Temple of Precipitation. The Ascended Master Retreat of the Month at Rocky Mountains, U.S.A.” The Bridge Journal 8 (June 3): 64–66.
  18. Printz, Thomas. 1961. “Excerpt from the Ascended Master Confucius.” The Bridge Journal 10 (June 3): 5.
  19. Prophet, Mark L., and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. 2003a. The Masters and Their Retreats. Gardiner, MT: Summit University Press.
  20. Prophet, Mark L., and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. 2003b. The Path of Brotherhood. Corwin Springs, MT: Summit University Press.
  21. Prophet, Mark L., and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. (1986) 2018a. Lords of the Seven Rays: Seven Masters; Their Past Lives and Keys to Our Future. Gardiner, MT: Summit University Press.
  22. Prophet, Mark L., and Elizabeth Clare Prophet. (2003) 2018b. Meeting the Masters. Gardiner, MT: Summit University Press.
  23. Tela, Josephus. (ed.). 1818. The Life and Morals of Confucius, A Chinese Philosopher. London: J. Souter.
  24. von Langsdorff, Georg. 1889. “Is There Such a Thing as Re-incarnation?” Light: A Journal of Psychical, Occult, and Mystical Research 9(440): 270.
  25. Winter, Franz. Forthcoming. “Looking Out for Magic in Ancient China: The Yijing, Its Trigrams, and the Figurist Tradition in Éliphas Lévi.” In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter (eds.), Appropriating the Dao: The Euro-American Esoteric Reception of China. London: Bloomsbury.
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Metadata

Authors
Pokorny, L. K.
Affiliations
University of Vienna (AT)
Corresponding author
Pokorny, Lukas K.
ORCID
Pokorny, Lukas K.
Venue
Numen
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2023-12-12
Volume
71
Issue
1
Pages
29-47
ISSN
  • 0029-5973 (ISSN-L)
  • 1568-5276
DOI
10.1163/15685276-20231713
OpenAlex
W4389738184
Cited by
3
References
19
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 1
FWCI
5.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Numen (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Chinese history and philosophy
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
Keywords
Confucius, Confucianism, esotericism, Theosophy, spiritualism, soteriology

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