Jesus in Theosophy

Lore & Background

According to the Ascended Master Teachings, the Master Jesus had previous incarnations including twice as Emperor of Atlantis (33,050 BC and 15,000 BC), as Joseph of the coat of many colors, King David, and Elisha. Alice A. Bailey taught he was previously incarnated as Joshua the Hebrew military leader and Joshua the High Priest. His father Saint Joseph is believed to be an incarnation of St. Germain, and his mother Mary became the twin flame of Archangel Raphael. The three Magi were incarnations of Djwal Khul, Kuthumi, and Morya.

To prepare for his ministry, Jesus studied at the Brotherhood of Luxor in Egypt and then in India under the Great Divine Director, Maitreya, and Lord Himalaya. During his ministry, some Theosophists believe the being Maitreya overshadowed Jesus, creating a dual being known as Jesus Christ, while Ascended Master Teachings adherents deny this overshadowing. The crucifixion is considered the fourth level of initiation, literal for Jesus according to Alice A. Bailey.

After the resurrection, traditional Theosophists believe Jesus and Maitreya separated, with Jesus going to Shamballa and later incarnating as Apollonius of Tyana. Ascended Master Teachings hold that Jesus ascended to Kashmir, lived there until age 81, and then ascended to Shamballa in AD 75. There is controversy over whether Jesus incarnated as Apollonius of Tyana, with differing chronologies and acceptance among groups. C.W. Leadbeater also stated Jesus incarnated as the Hindu reformer Ramanuja.

Reader's Guide

The Master Jesus holds a central but contested place in Theosophical and Ascended Master traditions. He is seen as a highly evolved spiritual teacher who attained the fourth initiation through crucifixion and, according to some, the fifth initiation as Apollonius of Tyana. His role as Chohan of the Sixth Ray is affirmed by traditional Theosophists and followers of Alice Bailey, but Ascended Master Teachings groups believe he passed this office to Lady Master Nada in 1959 and became World Teacher with Kuthumi. The differing accounts of his incarnations, his relationship with Maitreya, and his post-resurrection activities reflect the diversity within these esoteric movements. His significance lies in bridging Christian imagery with the hierarchical cosmology of the Masters, influencing modern spiritual movements that blend Eastern and Western esotericism.

Did You Know?

• According to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the Master Jesus incarnated twice as Emperor of Atlantis, in 33,050 BC and 15,000 BC.
• Alice A. Bailey taught that the Master Jesus was previously incarnated as Joshua the Hebrew military leader and Joshua the High Priest.
• In the Ascended Master Teachings, each of the three Magi was an incarnation of an ascended master: Caspar as Djwal Khul, Balthasar as Kuthumi, and Melchior as Morya.
• C.W. Leadbeater stated that the Master Jesus incarnated as the Hindu reformer Ramanuja after his resurrection as Apollonius of Tyana.