Tibetan term for “Lord” or “Master.” In theosophical literature, it refers to a number of personages. The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett refers to the Chohan as a high ADEPT “to whose insight the future lies an open page.” He is also called the MAHA-CHOHAN.

In the writings of C. W. LEADBEATER, a Chohan refers to one who has taken the sixth initiation, whereas the Maha-Chohan is one who has taken the seventh initiation. The Chohans also head the different rays of humanity. (Talks on the Path of Occultism, Vol. II, p. 376) Thus, the MAHATMAS MORYA, KOOT HOOMI, the VENETIAN, SERAPIS, HILARION, JESUS and Count of SAINT-GERMAIN are the Chohans of the Seven Rays (Masters and the Path, p. 277).

In The Secret Doctrine, the term Chohan is also used to described celestial beings called Dhyani-Chohans or Lords of Meditation. For a treatment of this, see DHYANI-CHOHAN.