Theosophical Society

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The Theosophical Society was the organization formed to advance the spiritual doctrines and altruistic living known as Theosophy. Image:Theosophical Society emblem .jpg

1 History
- 1.1 Formation
- 1.2 Schism
2 Krishnamurti
3 Related individuals and organizations
4 External reference and link

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History

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Formation

The original Theosophical Society was founded in New York City in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge and others. Its initial objective was the investigation, study and explanation of mediumistic phenomena. After Olcott and Blavatsky moved to India, they also became interested in studying Eastern religions, and these were included in the Society's agenda. By 1889 when Blavatsky wrote Key to Theosophy, the Society's objectives had evolved into

To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, colour, or creed.
To promote the study of Aryan and other Scriptures, of the World's religion and sciences, and to vindicate the importance of old Asiatic literature, namely, of the Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian philosophies.
To investigate the hidden mysteries of Nature under every aspect possible, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man especially. (p. 39, Key to Theosophy)

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Schism

After Helena Blavatsky's death in 1891, the Society's leaders seemed at first to work together peacefully. This did not last long. Judge was accused by Olcott and Annie Besant of forging letters from the Mahatmas; he ended his association with Olcott and Besant in 1895 and took most of the Society's American Section with him. The faction led by Olcott and Besant is today based in India and known as the Theosophical Society - Adyar, while the faction led by Judge is today known simply as the Theosophical Society, but often with the clarifying statement, "international headquarters, Pasadena, California". A third organization, the United Lodge of Theosophists or ULT, in 1909 split off from the latter organization. While all three organizations trace their history back to the founding of the original Society, one might say that in some sense the original Society has ceased to exist after the 1895 schism.

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Krishnamurti

In 1909, an adolescent Hindu boy, J. Krishnamurti, was proclaimed to be the second coming of Maitreya Buddha by C.W. Leadbeater, one of the leaders of this movement. Krishnamurti's family had relocated to live near the hub of the Theosophical Society in Adyar India in 1881. This was at the point when Helena Blavatsky was still the head of this organization in India.

Though he had been proclaimed to be the Maitreya by the society, by 1925 J. Krishnamurti began his movement away from the organization. By 1931 he disavowed his status as the impending Maitreya and left the Theosophical Society alltogether. He spend the rest of his life as a teacher, disavowing any claims of sainthood, teaching while peforming charatible acts through his various organizations.

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Related individuals and organizations

These people and groups claim origins or association with the Theosophical Society, its branches or leaders. Note that a number of these have dropped the first object, and have adopted racist or religionist views; most of them have not, and should not be confused with those that do.

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External reference and link

Campbell, Bruce F. (1980). Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.