Master Hilarion

TheMaster Hilarionis considered a saint within theI AM movement,one of the "Masters of the Ancient Wisdom",and in theAscended Master Teachingsis one of theAscended Masters(also collectively called theGreat White Brotherhood).He is considered to be the Chohan (Lord) of the Fifth Ray (seeSeven Rays).

Incarnations

Theosophists believe that master Hilarion was incarnated as theApostle Paul of Tarsusand the Neo-Platonic philosopherIamblichus.Some have believed that he was the Christian saintHilarion.This is possible, since although the yearsIamblichus,also known as Iamblichus Chalcidensis, (c. 245 – c. 325) was embodied overlap the lifetime of St. Hilarion (291–371),various traditions such as Hindu and Tibetan Buddhism hold that it is possible for the spiritually advanced to have more than one incarnation happening at the same time.

In October 1884 Helena Blavatsky made reference to Hilarion (using the spelling: "Hillarion" ):

"...an "Eastern adept, who has since gone for his final initiation," who had passed, en route from Egypt to Thibet, through Bombay and visited us in his physical body. Why should this "Adept" be the Mahatma in question? Are there then no other Adepts than Mahatma Koot Hoomi? Every Theosophist at headquarters knows that I meant a Greek gentleman, whom I have known since 1860."

His travel to his "final initiation" is referred to in an entry inHenry Olcott's diary, dated 19 February 1881, written in Bombay:

"Hillarion is here en route for Tibet and has been looking over, in, and through the situation. Finds B– something morally awful. Views on India, Bombay, the TS in Bombay, Ceylon (––), England and Europe, Christianity and other subjects highly interesting." (Letters from the Masters of Wisdom,2nd Series, page 93)

Function in the spiritual hierarchy

TheosophistC.W. Leadbeaterwrote that the Master Hilarion's primary influence is upon the scientists of the world.

In the Ascended Master Teachings, asHierarch of the Brotherhood of Truthin the etheric plane over Crete, Hilarion is said to assist the scientists and spiritual leaders of the world with theflame of truth.It is believed in the Ascended Master Teachings that before the Master Hilarion took over the chohanship of the Fifth Ray,Lord Lingfulfilled that function.

Skeptical view

K. Paul Johnsonspeculates that the "Masters" thatMadame Blavatskywrote about and produced letters from were actually idealizations of people who were her mentors. Johnson asserts that the "Master Hilarion" was actually Ooton Liato, a stage magician from Cyprus whom she met in New York City in 1873.

See also

• Seven Rays

Sources

• Leadbeater, C.W.The Masters and the PathAdyar, Madras, India: 1925—Theosophical Publishing House
• Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth ClareLords of the Seven RaysLivingston, Montana, U.S.A.:1986 - Summit University Press

Further reading

• Campbell, Bruce F.A History of the Theosophical MovementBerkeley:1980 University of California Press
• Godwin, JoscelynThe Theosophical EnlightenmentAlbany, New York: 1994 State University of New York Press
• Johnson, K. PaulThe Masters Revealed: Madam Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White BrotherhoodAlbany, New York: 1994 State University of New York Press
• Melton, J. GordonEncyclopedia of American Religions5th Edition New York:1996 Gale ResearchISBN0-8103-7714-4ISSN 1066-1212 Chapter 18-- "The Ancient Wisdom Family of Religions" Pages 151–158; see chart on page 154 listingMasters of the Ancient Wisdom;Also see Section 18, Pages 717-757 Descriptions of various Ancient Wisdom religious organizations
• Melton, J. Gordon(2001). "Hilarion, Master".Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology(5 ed.). Gale Group, Inc. p. 726.ISBN0-8103-8570-8.