Thursday, January 19, 2012

Degrees of the Scottish Rite: 10° and 11°

These were the only degrees I missed when I went through them all.    I am happy I could make them up right away.    The message about values of freedom of religion and thought are basic values that formed our unique Country.   We need to get back to the Founders' basics if we don't want to be left in the dust of history before our time.

Degrees of the Scottish Rite:


10° - Elu of the Fifteen (Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen) This degree teaches us to be tolerant and respect the opinions of others. Freedoms of political and spiritual ideologies should be shared by all. The apron of the 10th Degree is white, with a black flap with three arch-shaped gates, over each a head on a spike. The jewel of this degree is a dagger as in the 9th Degree. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.




11° - Elu of the Twelve (Sublime Knight Elect of the Twelve) This degree teaches sympathy. We should be compassionate to our brother Masons and to all mankind as well. The apron of the 11th Degree is white, lined with black, with a flaming heart in the center. The jewel is a dagger suspended from a black cordon inscribed with the words "Vincere aut Mori" the pledge "that you will rather die than betray the cause of the people, or be overcome through your own fear or fault". The duties are to be earnest, true, reliable and champion of the people.

China's Three Great Religions and their Teachers

As China become more affluent, My hope is that it returns to its heritage and great traditions. It will help free their people and the occupied minorities.

China's Three Great Religions and their Teachers:


 " Albert Pike, has said in his Morals and Dogma (page 277) about Buddha and Confucius. According to him, Buddha was "the first Masonic Legislator whose memory is preserved to us by history," and he "called to the

Priesthood all men, without distinction of caste, who felt themselves inspired by God to instruct men." He declared (pages 277 and 278 ) that this Buddhist Priesthood "recognized the existence of a single uncreated God, in whose bosom everything grows, is developed and transformed," and the "worship of this God reposed upon the obedience of all the beings He created."


"According to Albert Pike (page 616), Confucius "forbade making images or representations of the Deity. He attached no idea of personality to Him; but considered Him as a Power or Principle, pervading all Nature." The doctrine of Confucius, according to Pike (page 169), was stated in the Chinese Ethics as being "simple, and easy to be understood," consisting "solely in being upright of heart, and loving our neighbour as we love ourself."

Sunday, January 8, 2012