The Theosophical Society in England

diploma in theosophy The Diploma

The Diploma is a one year open learning course by the Theosophical Society in England. The course is internet based with postal contact for students who are unable to access the internet. The course is designed to assist students’ understanding of the basic Principles of Theosophy. It is a distance learning course undertaken at home, which enables Students to plan their study at times which fit in with their commitments. Students will have contact with Course Leaders and Course Tutors based around the country.

There are four modules during the year and at the end of each module the Course Leaders for each location will hold Seminars for all students in their area. This will give students the opportunity to meet and to share both their understanding and difficulties with each other and with the Course Leader. The purpose of the Seminars will be to ascertain that students are keeping up with the course and that they have grasped the concepts of the module. Students have found the seminars very rewarding and useful and have enjoyed meeting their fellow students.

How the Diploma will be Awarded

The course is centred on gaining an understanding of basic Theosophical Principles. The Diploma will be awarded to students who have completed the course and shown that they have not simply learned the course material but have truly understood it. Though students must pass the end of year examination, the course is designed to be accessible and ongoing support is provided. Please see the section about the exam.

Who Can Take the Course?

The Diploma is exclusively for members of the Theosophical Society. There are no entry requirements other than membership of the Society and the course is available to any member who has a wish to gain knowledge of basic Theosophical Principles. In due course we hope it will be available to

TS members in Europe and around the world, but at the time of going to print it is only available to members who are resident in the United Kingdom. This will be reviewed during 2012.

How Much will it Cost?

The Fee for the Diploma will be £20. This modest fee is to make the course accessible, concessions and some bursaries are available. Students will be provided with the core reference books free of charge, but will be responsible for their own costs in buying further books, for internet costs and for expenses in attending the seminars. Guidance will be provided on inexpensive sources of information and students will be able to access appropriate articles on the web or by post if there is no internet access.

Application Forms

These can be obtained by email from: diploma@theosoc.org.uk or downloaded from: Diploma Application Form Please telephone 020 7563 9817 to receive by post or write to “Diploma”, The Theosophical Society in England, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA.

To Register

Application Forms and Course Fees must be received at 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA no later than 31st January 2012 (new revised deadline). Applications can be made at any time before 31st January, but applications received after that date will be held on file for the course commencing in 2013.

Awards, Course Content and Exam

The Course lasts eleven months commencing in February and the end of year examination will be taken in December 2012. Students who have been awarded the “Diploma in Theosophy” will be eligible to do a follow-on course, the “Higher Diploma in Theosophy”, which is currently being set up. Details will be announced at a later date.

Students will receive information about the Three Objects of the Society, its history and purpose, Universal Truth, and the Path of Service as part of Self-development and for humanity as a whole. This is to help students to understand the role of the Society and the opportunity for Self-development which Theosophy offers and is not part of the course.

The use of meditation will help to enhance deeper levels of understanding and is strongly recommended to all students.

The Syllabus will comprise the following modules:

Module 1 Module 2

UNIVERSAL LAWS COSMOGENESIS
KARMA AND REINCARNATION INVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION
THE HUMAN CONSTITUTION

Module 3 Module 4

THE SEVEN PLANES HIERARCHIES
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS OF NATURE CHAINS AND ROUNDS

On-line artiles
Click here for the list of the articles for the diploma course

Throughout the course students will have access to Course Tutors who will be able to answer any queries. At the end of each module, students will receive tutorial papers and feedback will be given by the Course Leaders. These tutorials papers do not form part of the final assessment for the Diploma, and Students are able to gain an understanding of what kind of questions will be asked and what sorts of answers are appropriate. In this way students will be familiar with the appearance of question papers and will gain in experience and confidence before they take the exam. After all the modules have been completed there will be time for revision before the exam.

The examination itself is an ‘open book’ exam which students take in their own homes. This means that students will have access to their notes and reference material. We understand that some people experience anxiety about exams, so if you are affected please speak with your Course Leader. Any information will be treated in strict confidence. The course takes place in a supportive sharing environment and is not a competitive process. The Diploma will be awarded to all Students who achieve the required number of points in the exam on a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ basis. There are no grades or special awards.

Communication

Communication will mostly be by email and some study material will be available via the internet. Students will be expected to regularly check the web page for new articles and information. Students with no internet access at this time will be encouraged to start using the web, by enlisting the help of a friend who has access, or by joining a local library internet scheme. Students who can do none of the above will be sent the necessary study material and all formal communications will be via land mail, with telephone contact as necessary.

Course Leaders

Students will be assigned an experienced Course Leader in their geographical area who has an appropriate level of theosophical knowledge and understanding.

Course Tutors

The role of Tutors will be to help students locate information and navigate their way through the course.

Note: Students will NOT be given theosophical teachings by Course Leaders or Course Tutors but helped to understand the teachings given in the course material. All study material will be sourced by the student from books, study papers, and the internet.

The Motto

The Motto of the Theosophical Society is

“There is no Religion Higher than Truth”

The Masters of the Wisdom encourage each one of us to search for and find that Truth for ourselves.

Resolutions passed by the General Council of the Theosophical Society:

Freedom of Thought

“As the Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the world, and as members of all religions have become members of it without surrendering the special dogmas, teachings and beliefs of their respective faiths, it is thought desirable to emphasize the fact that there is no doctrine, no opinion, by whomsoever taught or held, that is in any way binding on any member of the Society, none which any member is not free to accept or reject. Approval of its three objects is the sole condition of membership. No teacher, or writer, from H.P. Blavatsky onwards, has any authority to impose his or her teachings or opinions on members. Every member has an equal right to follow any school of thought, but has no right to force the choice on any other. Neither a candidate for any office nor any voter can be rendered ineligible to stand or to vote, because of any opinion held, or because of membership in any school of thought. Opinions or beliefs neither bestow privileges nor inflict penalties. The Members of the General Council earnestly request every member of the Theosophical Society to maintain, defend and act upon these fundamental principles of the Society, and also fearlessly to exercise the right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within the limits of courtesy and consideration for others.

The Theosophical Society, while cooperating with all other bodies whose aims and activities make such cooperation possible, is and must remain an organisation entirely independent of them, not committed to any objects save its own, and intent on developing its own work on the broadest and most inclusive lines, so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and by the pursuits of those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the abstract is implicit in the title ‘The Theosophical Society’.

Since Universal Brotherhood and the Wisdom are undefined and unlimited, and since there is complete freedom for each and every member of the Society in thought and action, the Society seeks ever to maintain its own distinctive and unique character by remaining free of affiliation with any other organization.”