ESOTERIC  , having an inner or

secret meaning . This term, and its correlative " exoteric," were first applied in the ancient Greek mysteries to those who were initiated (kw, within) and to those who were not (Ew, outside), respectively . It was then transferred to a supposed distinction drawn by certain philosophers between the teaching given to the whole circle of their pupils and that containing a higher and secret philosophy which was reserved for a select number of specially advanced or privileged disciples . This distinction was ascribed by Lucian (Vit . Auct . 26) to Aristotle (q.v.), who, however, uses EEWTEpuKOi X6yyoe (Nic . Ethics) merely of " popular treatises." It was probably adopted by the Pythagoreans and was also attributed to Plato . In the sense of mystic it is used of a secret doctrine of theosophy, supposed to have been traditional among certain disciples of Buddhism .