Imagine Theosophy as a spiritual stew that borrows liberally from Hindu and Buddhist ingredients, then seasons them with Western occult spice. At its core, Theosophy insists on an “esoteric” layer hidden beneath the surface of all religions—a secret lineage of Masters guiding humanity’s evolution. Mainstream Hinduism and Buddhism, by contrast, tend to focus on well-defined scriptures, rituals and monastic lineages, without positing a global inner circle of hidden adepts.

Here are the headline differences:

1. Esoteric versus Exoteric Emphasis
   • Theosophy champions a universal, inner tradition—think of it as the “VIP lounge” of spirituality.
   • Hinduism and Buddhism usually present teachings openly: the Vedas, Upanishads, or the Pali Canon serve as public roadmaps, with esoteric Vedanta or Vajrayāna paths often confined to authenticated lineage transmissions.

2. Doctrinal Borrowing and Reinterpretation
   • Karma and reincarnation get a makeover in Theosophy: coloured by “root-race” cycles, cosmic planes, and spiritual Masters perched in Himalayan retreats.
   • In classical Hinduism, samsara and karma interweave with dharma, caste, and bhakti traditions; Buddhism zeroes in on suffering, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path—no root races in sight.

3. Authority and Scriptural Weight
   • Theosophy sidesteps Vedic or Pali texts as ultimate authority. Instead, it leans on Helena Blavatsky’s writings, letters from “The Mahatmas” and a belief in psychic clairvoyance.
   • Mainstream traditions ground their credibility in centuries-old scriptures, ordained teachers and living communities—temples, monasteries and pilgrimages still thrive in South Asia today.

4. Organizational Style
   • Theosophical Society meetings feel part book club, part séance. Public lectures mingle with occult experiments.
   • Hindu and Buddhist institutions often follow established temples, monastic codes (vinaya) and festival calendars, deeply embedded in local cultures.

In today’s wellness landscape—where yoga studios rub shoulders with crystal shops—Theosophy casts a long shadow. It can feel like the grandparent of New Age thought: a cornucopia of Eastern wisdom laced with Western mystery. While mainstream Hinduism and Buddhism maintain their rooted traditions, Theosophy dances in the limelight of syncretism, offering a back-stage pass to hidden masters and cosmic genealogy that simply doesn’t exist in orthodox lineages.