Buddha and the Two Boys of Jesus

On the publications from the lecture works of Rudolf Steiner

The foundation of anthroposophically oriented spiritual science is formed by the works written and published by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). In addition, he gave numerous lectures and courses between 1900 and 1924, both publicly and for the members of the Theosophical, later Anthroposophical Society. He himself originally did not want his lectures, which he gave freely throughout, to be recorded in writing, since they were intended as “oral communications not intended for printing.†However, after an increasing number of incomplete and erroneous transcripts of the lectures were made and distributed, he felt compelled to regulate the transcription. He entrusted this task to Marie Steiner-von Sivers. She was responsible for the appointment of the stenographers, the administration of the transcripts and the review of the texts necessary for the publication. Since Rudolf Steiner was only able to correct the transcripts himself in very few cases due to lack of time, his reservation must be taken into account with regard to all lecture publications: “It will just have to be accepted that there are errors in the originals that I have not checked.â€

In his self-biography “Mein Lebensgang†(35th chapter) Rudolf Steiner comments on the relationship between the members' lectures, which were initially only accessible as internal manuscript prints, and his public writings. The corresponding wording is reproduced at the end of this volume. What is said there applies equally to the courses on individual subjects, which were aimed at a limited circle of participants familiar with the basics of spiritual science.

After the death of Marie Steiner (1867-1948), the publication of a Rudolf Steiner Complete Edition was begun in accordance with her guidelines. The present volume forms a part of this Gesamtausgabe. Where necessary, more detailed information on the textual material is given at the beginning of the notes.