Splendor of the True SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions ————— David Appelbaum, editor S T PLENDOR OF THE RUE A Frithjof Schuon Reader Selected, translated, and with an introduction by James S. Cutsinger Foreword by Huston Smith Cover image: Photograph of Frithjof Schuon (c. 1958). Courtesy of World Wisdom, Inc. Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 2013 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu Production by Eileen Meehan Marketing by Fran Keneston Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Schuon, Frithjof, 1907–1998. [Selections. English. 2013] Splendor of the true : a Frithjof Schuon reader / selected, translated, and introduced by James S. Cutsinger ; foreword by Huston Smith. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4384-4611-0 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4384-4610-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Religion—Philosophy. 2. Religions. 3. Philosophy. I. Cutsinger, James S., 1953– II. Title. BL51.S463213 2013 210—dc23 2012017394 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Socrates Do you think Truth is akin to moderation and proportion or to disproportion? Glaucon To proportion. Socrates Then in addition to our other requirements we must look for a mind endowed with moderation and grace and drawn by nature to see the Truth in all things. Plato, Republic, 486d CONTENTS Illustrations ix Poems xi Foreword by Huston Smith xiii Introduction by James S. Cutsinger xv Preface xlix I. RELIGION AND TRADITION 1. The Sense of the Absolute in Religions 3 2. Two Esotericisms 17 3. Concerning Naiveté 23 4. The Mystery of the Hypostatic Face 33 II. THE PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY 5. Summary of Integral Metaphysics 43 6. Consequences Flowing from the Mystery of Subjectivity 51 7. Tracing the Notion of Philosophy 59 8. Understanding and Believing 71 III. HUMAN NATURE AND DESTINY 9. Man in the Universe 83 10. The Message of the Human Body 91 11. Man and Certainty 103 12. Universal Eschatology 109 IV. SACRED ART AND SYMBOLISM 13. The Question of Forms in Art 121 14. The Liberating Passage 135 15. An Elementary Criteriology of Celestial Apparitions 139 16. The Symbolism of the Hourglass 147 V. SPIRITUALITY 17. Modes of Spiritual Realization 155 18. The Anonymity of the Virtues 165 19. The Nature and Function of the Spiritual Master 171 20. The Stations of Wisdom 181 Conclusion: Religio Perennis 191 Appendix: Selections from Letters, Spiritual Texts, and Memoirs 199 Translator’s Notes 235 Glossary 263 Sources 275 Bibliography of Works by Frithjof Schuon 277 Index 287 ILLUSTRATIONS Frithjof Schuon in 1965 xlvii Artwork by Frithjof Schuon Sketches from the Far East to the Far West 117 Color Plates following page 152 A. Maghreb B. Celestial Virgin and Child C. The Christ D. The River E. Sioux Chief F. The Descent of the Sacred Pipe G. The Thunderstorm H. The Terrace The Book of Keys, No. 74, The Five Divine Presences Original French Manuscript 200 English Translation 201