The higher levels of Initiation

The highest level of ascended masters (masters of the ancient wisdom) include the four Masters who in traditional Theosophy are regarded as being at the seventh Level of Initiation— the Chakshusha Manu (referred to as Lord Himalaya in the Ascended Master Teachings), the Vaivasvatu Manu, the Maha Chohan, and Maitreya. and the four Masters at the eighth level of initiation, Gautama Buddha himself, and The Three Pratyeka Buddhas (the task of these three Buddhas is to focus the Seven Rays from Sanat Kumara through Djwal Khul to the chohans of the Seven Rays). In the Ascended Master Teachings, it is believed that on January 1, 1956, Maitreya advanced from the 7th level to the 8th level, and Buddha advanced from the 8th level to the 9th level, becoming co-equal with Sanat Kumara.