See:  Africa, East and Central, Theosophy in

See: Africa, East and Central, Theosophy in

The Vietnamese Theosophical Section was founded in 1952 and active for the next 23 years; after the change of government regime in 1975, its activities were severely restricted by the new regime and finally banned in 1983, when the headquarters was confiscated by the new government in Việt Nam.  

See:  Africa, East and Central, Theosophy in

See: Africa, West, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, East and Central, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, West, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, Southern, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, West, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, East and Central, Theosophy in

See:  Africa, West, Theosophy in

There are documents indicating the existence of Theosophical activity in this Caribbean nation in the early twentieth century. On September 19, 1928, a lodge with the name “Alcione” was founded in Santo Domingo, under the auspices of the Cuban society with Esperanza Hopgood acting as President and Floripez Mieses Carbonell as Secretary.

Because of its shared border with Germany and due to the fact that most of its population are German speaking, Austria’s theosophical history has been closely allied to that country.

The first Australian to join the Theosophical Society (TS) was Gilbert Elliott of Melbourne, Victoria, who joined in December 1879. One of the earliest members was William H. Terry who joined in 1880. He merits mention here because he was one of the select few who received a letter from the Master Morya (see CW 5:11 fn).

A body for the study of Judaism in the light of theosophy which had branches located in many countries. In 1926 branches existed in United States, England and Holland, with a quarterly magazine entitled The Jewish Theosophist which was published in California.

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An organization established by Annie BESANT in 1908, and headed by Isabel COOPER-OAKLEY, for the research on the mystical traditions in various countries and cultures, including historical folk-lore of a mystical character…

In the last decade of the nineteenth century, a group of people imbued with the Masonic ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity greatly influenced the political and economic organization of Latin American nations. Especially in Argentina they set an example of moral conduct in public office that inspired later generations.

The West African Section of the Theosophical Society (TS) consists of lodges in four English-speaking countries, namely, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Cameroon. It was formerly a regional association formed in 1956 and later became a section in 1991. As of 2004, there are 15 lodges, of which nine are in Ghana, three in Nigeria, two in Cameroon and one in Liberia.

Johannesburg Lodge received its charter on April 14, 1899, and it bears the following names: Louis L. Playford, ChiefMagistrate of Johannesburg, Herbert Kitcher, Electrical Engineer and Lewis W. Rich, Attorney. The Anglo-Boer War also started in 1899 on October 11 and ended on May 31, 1902. During the war, the Lodge was dormant.

The East and Central African Section of the Theosophical Society consists of Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Uganda was also a part of this Section, prior to the reign of IdiAmin when a number of lodges were flourishing.

See:  Myanmar (BURMA), Theosophy in

A theosophical subsidiary organization formed in the spring of 1917 but no longer existing today, devoted to working on four lines of social reform, education, politics, and religion, “cooperating with all movements for the betterment of humanity and seeking to bring to them the spiritualizing light of our philosophy.” It sought to awaken an interest in social reconstruction and served as a…

The earliest record of Theosophical Society (TS) work in Bulgaria was the President Olcott Branch located in Sofia which was chartered on May 3, 1907, with Sophrony Nickoff as President and Alex Chichkoff as Secretary. In 1911 the Cyril and Methody Lodge was established in Vratza with L. Lipovomsky as President and Dono Toscheff as Secretary.

The first recorded theosophical event in Brazil took the form of a lecture given in 1902 by a Mr. Leite, in the city of Curitiba situated in the state of Paraná. The earliest lodge was the Dharma Theosophical Society (TS) which was chartered in 1905 in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Another early center was Lodge Perseveranca (Perseverance) founded June 5, 1910, at Rio de Janeiro.

An institution established by the Theosophical Society (TS) on October 2, 1922, with the aim of bringing under the light of theosophy all branches of knowledge. It had a staff of twenty lecturers at the beginning, with James H. Cousins as the Registrar of the Ashrama. It aimed to respond to the following declared needs:

Theosophy came to Bolivia on April 17, 1918, when a meeting convened by Victor Birbuet and Daniel Bilbao la Vieja at La Paz City attracted six members. This early attempt to establish theosophy was encouraged by the Chilean Theosophical Society. Later that year, the membership having risen to nine, the Peace Lodge was chartered with the support of the Argentinean Theosophical Section.

A charity (registered in England, number 268913) intended “to advance education and promote or further the study of and research into religion, philosophy and science and to disseminate the results of such study and research to the public.”

Its managing trustees have the power:

A branch or lodge of the Theosophical Society (TS) which was incorporated in Washington, U.S. in 1889, by Anthony Higgins. Its formation is of interest because of the founders determination to include colored persons in its membership, a policy which occasioned some newspaper comment at the time.

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The Blavatsky Institute of Canada was founded in 1924. Most of its members were students of Theosophy in Toronto, but the non-profit organization was and is independent of the Theosophical Society (TS).

The teaching of theosophy was introduced into Belgium by Wilhem Kohlen, who had returned from Holland and Ernest Nyssens, who returned from U.S. where he studied homeopathy, which he brought to the country as well as vegetarianism and methods of naturotherapy.

The following Lodges were successively constituted:

In 1893 theosophy in Cuba was introduced by Don Juan Jose Jiménez y Serrano, Lieutenant Colonel of the Spanish Civil Guard and Military Commandant of the City of Sancti Spiritus, Las Villas.

After approximately a decade of studying theosophy in the house of Tomás Povedano y de Arcos, an artist of Spanish origin and member of the Theosophical Society (TS) in Spain, a group of people interested in becoming members of the Theosophical Society formally bonded together on March 27, 1904, which, a few months later, became the first Theosophical Lodge, the “Virya Lodge of Costa Rica,”…

The first lodge in China was the Saturn Lodge in Shanghai chartered in 1920, with Mr. H. P. Shastri as President and Mr. G. F. L. Harrison as Secretary. This was apparently renamed as Shanghai Lodge, since it is so reported in the annual report of 1924. In 1922, Sun Lodge was chartered in Shanghai.

Chilean theosophical work began at two centers, the “Arundhati” branch of Santiago, and the “Lob-Nor” Lodge located in Valparaiso, which had begun in April 1902. There are very few references to organized theosophical work before that period; however, it is believed that, at least in Valparaiso, there had been members who had participated in theosophical studies. Amongst them Dr.

In November, 1884, William Q. JUDGE, then vice president of the Theosophical Society, returned to New York after visiting the Society’s headquarters in India. On the transatlantic crossing, one of his fellow passengers was a young Irishman, Albert E. S.

In 1893 Georg Howitz (Councillor of State) formed the very first Theosophical Lodge in Denmark (“The Copenhagen Lodge”). In 1918 the Theosophical Society (TS) in Denmark was chartered and its first General Secretary was Countess Ellen Bille-Brahe-Selby (1918-22).

An organization initiated by Annie Besant in 1906 to improve the condition of Indian women. The organization was conducted entirely by Indian persons, but does not seem to have received lasting support in that country.

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The Theosophical Society in Europe or the European Federation of the Theosophical Society (EFTS) is an association of national Theosophical organizations in about twenty European countries which are parts of the international Society headquartered at Adyar, Madras, India.

The government of the Section is in the hands of the National Council, Executive Committee and General Secretary. The National Council consists of the General Secretary, the Treasurer, the Executive Committee, and a representative from every Lodge in the Section — plus representatives from the unattached members.

The first lodge of the Theosophical Society (TS) in Eire was established at Dublin in 1886. The Dublin Lodge was probably the third or fourth lodge to be granted a charter in the Theosophical Society (Adyar). Poor records make it uncertain at what address the Lodge was inaugurated, but by 1892 it was located at 3 Ely Place and in 1896 was moved to 13 Eustace Street.

In the last half of the 19th century France was a fertile field for esoteric inquiry.

The first impetus for Theosophy in Finland happened when the newspaper Åbo Tidning (9/4/1889) dedicated its lead article to Theosophy. This sympathetic article stated that Finns should examine more carefully the aims of the Theosophical Society and that a Scandinavian Section was recently founded in Stockholm, Sweden.

An adult theosophical summer camp located between Sequoia National Forest and King’s Canyon National Park. It is at the 7,200 feet height in the High Sierra east of Fresno in California.

The formation of the Theosophical Society (TS) in Germany is closely connected with the name of a native of Hamburg, Dr. Wilhelm Hubbe-Schleiden. He founded the first German Lodge “Germania” — from which subsequently the German TS emerged — on January 27, 1884, in the house of the GEBHARDS in Elberfeld, in the presence of Henry Steel OLCOTT.

There were Hungarian members in the international Theosophical Society (TS) almost from its formation in 1875. The baron Edmund Vay was a member of the General Council of the TS in 1880 and his wife, Baroness Adelma Vay was a cousin of Helena P. Blavatsky. Before the end of that century, English and German lecturers were visiting Hungary.

Founded in 1923 by William Kingsland and Alice A. CLEATHER, both of whom had been pupils of Helena P. BLAVATSKY. It was intended for those who wished to seriously study and apply Blavatsky’s teachings.

A library devoted to the works of Helena P. BLAVATSKY and the MAHATMAS located at present (1997) in Toronto, Canada.

Official organ of the Order of the Star in the East, headquartered in London. The first issue appeared in January 1912, and the Journal ran until the end of 1927, when it became the International Star Bulletin in January 1928.

J.H-E

The first contact with Theosophy in Italy may be traced to the frequent presence of H. P. BLAVATSKY there, where she undoubtedly met many persons who later became members of the Theosophical Society. She visited Trieste, Venice, Rome, Bologna, Bari, and Naples.

A Theosophical property located at NAARDEN, Huizen, Holland. The estate, which is well-wooded, is about 17 hectares in area comprising Besant Hall, seating 250 persons; a library housing 9000 books in Dutch and English; Saint Michael’s House and Arundale Guest House.

An organization established by Boris Mihailovich de ZIRKOFF (1902-81), grand-nephew of Helena P. BLAVATSKY.

A theosophical association formed in London in 1919 by Annie BESANT to encourage contacts among the different members of the Theosophical Society (TS) around the world. It was affiliated with the Theosophical Order of Service. By 1926, correspondents were active in almost all the sections.

A center established in 1928 by Margaret Cousins with the assistance of the European Federation of the Theosophical Society. Its work was carried out by Anna KAMENSKY till 1936, when Dr.

A federation of branches of the Theosophical Society (TS) that include all Asian countries from Pakistan eastward, Australia, New Zealand and nearby Pacific islands.

The Theosophical Society (TS) in Indonesia is a national society, governed by the National Council and the Executive Committee. The National Council consists of the National President and Vice President, two Secretaries (corresponding and recording), two Treasurers, Co-ordinators for the regions and Commissaries for Youth and for Research and Development and representatives of each lodge.

The Indian Section of the Theosophical Society (TS) was constituted by an Executive Order of the President Founder, Henry S.

Mentioned in The Theosophist September 1910 and apparently formed in Italy. Annie BESANT mentions it approvingly in her editorial, the Watchtower. There seems to be little on record about this organization which was apparently short-lived.

An organization founded in 1912 by members of the Theosophical Society (TS) in India, with Major C. L. Peacocke as its first General Secretary. It was primarily composed of British Officers in the Public Services of the British Empire and their wives, but others were also admitted. They had to be members of the TS.

The Icelandic Section was founded in Reykjavik at a collective meeting of the seven lodges in Iceland on August 12, 1920. The charter of the section was signed by Annie BESANT on January 5, 1921. The first General Secretary was Jakob Kristinsson, who resigned as a vicar among Icelandic settlers in Canada to take the position.

The first connection between Japan and The Theosophical Society (TS) occurred in 1893 when Doho Mizutani proposed to publish Buddhist Catechism by Henry S. OLCOTT; it was published in Kyoto in 1895. Olcott subsequently toured Japan and made his base at the Chion-in Buddhist Temple in Kyoto.

The Lucis Trust was founded in 1922 by Alice Bailey and Foster Bailey, with the sole intention of serving humanity and the Hierarchy by helping to build right human relations.

An organization formed by C. Jinarājadāsa in India on December 28, 1915, and with Justice T. Sadasiva Iyer as its President. It had the following objects: 1. To bring about the abolition of corporal punishment both in homes and schools; 2.

An organization started in 1907 in Surat by D. J. Edal Behram to promote temperance from alcohol, and the prevention of slaughter of animals for food. They encouraged large groups of people to make resolutions to abstain from the use of intoxicants and to give up animal food. In its first year, the organization reported that twenty thousand people have made such resolutions.

The earliest lodges in Rangoon were the Shway Daigon, Irrawaddu and Rangoon, all of which were chartered in 1885, their respective presidents were Moong Oon, Norman Duncan and V. Rathna Moodelliar. These soon ceased to operate and in November 21, 1911, another lodge was established, the Buddhist Theosophical Society (TS) in Moulmein.

A theosophical organization started in 1923 to disseminate knowledge of Islam and Sūfīsm to both Hindus and Muslims in many parts of India. It was headed by H. C. Kumar, a Hindu, and was formally called the TS Muslim League.

The first circles of theosophical students in Mexico came out of the spiritualistic groups that flourished throughout the capital Mexico City towards the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. In 1906, the first Mexican lodge named “Aura” was founded as part of the Cuban Section of the Theosophical Society (TS).

The Theosophical Society (TS) in Malaysia received its Charter on June 24, 1929, from the then President of the International Theosophical Society, Annie BESANT. Although relatively active in its formative years, the Society’s activities dwindled after the Second World War.

The first Norwegian to officially join the Theosophical Society (TS) was Henrik Anton Alme (1847-1939) who was a painter of signs. In 1891 he became a member of the Swedish Theosophical Society, which was established in Stockholm in 1889. Later, Alme joined a theosophical organization which supported William Q. JUDGE, which was established in 1896 in Norway.

History of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand: Originally part of the Australasia Section (founded in 1894), the New Zealand Lodges then comprised Auckland, chartered in 1892; Christchurch, chartered in 1894; Wellington, chartered in 1888; and Dunedin, chartered in 1893.

On July 9, 1892, a national Theosophical Society was founded in Netherlands. Its name was De Nederlandsche Theosophische Vereeniging (NTV). This was not the first association that undertook Theosophical activities in the Netherlands; there had been earlier activities.

Naarden International Theosophical Centre

In the late 1890s and early 1900s a number of centers belonging to the Oriental Esoteric Society were established on at least three continents, specifically in the cities of Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Washington DC. Although the total number is not known, twenty-seven were said to be in existence by 1908 when the Oriental Esoteric Center of France (Paris) was established.

A subsidiary organization of the Theosophical Society (TS) formed on April 7, 1917, for the purpose of preparing a group of committed men and women to help the work of the Theosophical Society. The membership were classified as Brothers, Novices, Probationers, Lay Brothers and Associates. The Order was headed by a Brother Server, then held by Annie Besant. The secretary was C.

This was a network of schools for the children of the “outcastes,” renamed Panchamas or the “fifth caste.” It was started by Col. Henry Steel Olcott in 1895 with 55 pupils. By 1906, it had grown to 5 schools with 731 students.

Beginning in 1894 the President-Founder of the Theosophical Society (TS) Henry Steel Olcott initiated a movement for the education of the underprivileged children in and around Chennai (Madras) in Southern India.

The first lodge in the Philippines was chartered in 1892 in Manila. It was named the Manila Theosophical Society (TS) in Escolta with B. C. Bridger as Secretary. By 1903, however, the lodge was no longer listed in the annual report of Adyar, presumably because it had ceased to function.

The earliest record of theosophical activity in Peru is 1918 when a group led by Ibrahim Vasquez met at Iquites to discuss theosophy.

PATH, THE. A term that refers to the time-tested way towards spiritual realization. In theosophical literature it includes the narrower sense of preparing oneself for spiritual initiation under the guidance of Masters of the Wisdom.

Before it became the Theosophical Society (TS) in Pakistan, for many years the lodges in that area were a part of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society. The Indian Section is a very large one, having in excess of 10,000 members and the Karachi Lodge was one of its most active components.

Since the principal founder of the Theosophical Society (TS), Helena P. BLAVATSKY, was born in Russia it is understandable that early efforts were made to establish a theosophical presence in that country. Unfortunately, at that time, both the ruling faction and the Christian Church were quite hostile to this.

Devised by C. JINARĀJADĀSA in 1917 intended as a “Form of Service for Worship and Consecration.” The Ritual worked with twelve officiants. At the time of its formation World War I was raging and the energies of the participants were directed toward the peace and blessing of the world.

(Sydney, Australia). Probably the only broadcasting station established and maintained by the Theosophical Society (TS). Its call sign of 2GB was selected in honor of Giordano Bruno. The station was opened on August 23, 1926, at Adyar Hall, Sydney by the then Minister for Education the Hon. T. D. Mutch, who was introduced by George Arundale.

There has been a continuous theosophical activity in Switzerland since the beginning of the 20th century. In French-speaking areas it began with lectures delivered in Geneva by the French theosophist, Dr. Theophile PASCAL at the end of the year 1900.

The Theosophical Society in Scandinavia started in Sweden in 1889. A year earlier, the Swedish author Viktor Rydberg, who had taken an interest in H. P. BLAVATSKY’s THE SECRET DOCTRINE, called together a group of Swedes, among them two women who had visited Blavatsky in London, in order to start Theosophical activity in Sweden.

The Theosophical Society (TS) came into being in Sri Lanka under a Charter issued by Adyar in 1926. The Charter was signed by Annie BESANT, the second International President of the Theosophical Society.

In the years from 1991 to 1992 the Theosophical Society (TS) witnessed the collapse of Yugoslavia and shared its fate. Yugoslavia consisted of six republics, i.e., Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia plus two autonomous regions within Serbia — Vojvodina and Kosovo.

A special branch of the Theosophical Society (TS) founded in August 21, 1881, intended to be under the direct instruction of the MAHĀTMAS. Its first President was Allan O. HUME, with Alfred P.

In 1884, H. S. OLCOTT, then international president of the Theosophical Society visited Scotland. As a result, the Scottish Lodge was formed on July 17 of that year.

A movement created at Krotona, Ojai, California, in early 1920.

The suggestion that a Theosophical University be established was put forward by Annie BESANT, then International President, in 1925 and the same year, in October, a constitution was drawn up. The stated objective was to coordinate various existing theosophical educational activities.

In 1889, under the direction of William Quan JUDGE, the Theosophical Society (TS) in New York bought a printing press for the production of the various publications issued at that time.

International headquarters of the Theosophical Society (TS) located on the south bank of the Adyar River in Chennai (formerly Madras), in Southern India.

The seal or emblem of the Theosophical Society (TS) is derived from the personal seal of Helena P. BLAVATSKY. It consists of the Sanskrit word AUM or Om on top, a swastika enclosed in a circle below it, a snake biting its own tail inside of which is a six pointed star, and an ankh within the star.

The T.O.S.

The Theosophical Center in San Rafael–Mendoza, devoted to studies, courses, and conferences, was established in 1980. Originally the land was bought as a camp site for young Theosophists, but when the first groups of trees were planted, donations started to arrive, and the possibility of having a Center emerged. After the purchase of 3.5 hectares in 1980, 7 hectares more were added.

After the death of Helena P. Blavatsky in 1891 there was a short period of leadership confusion in the Theosophical Society (TS) in America which eventually resulted in the formation of a separate organization in America under the leadership of William Q. Judge.

The country center in England for theosophical study, relaxation and other appropriate activities which is located about 56 km (35 miles) south-west of London, England. The property was bought in 1928 by members of the Theosophical Society (TS) in order to form a center similar in function to the center at Huizen (now Naarden) in Holland.

The Theosophical Society (Pasadena) is today one of the independent theosophical organizations which has branches in many countries around the world. Based in Pasadena, California, the organization was originally the Theosophical Society (TS) in America which declared complete autonomy from the Theosophical Society (Adyar) in 1895. Its objects are:

A theosophical rural retreat center founded in 1937 that is located near Craryville in New York State, USA. It comprises 130 acres (52 hectares) of open fields and forest. Accommodation is in the form of rustic cabins connected by a network of nature trails. There is also a meditation center and farmhouse. The Taconic stream flows through the center of the property.

A theosophical camp located on Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound in the northwest corner of Washington State, U.S. It was founded in 1927 by members of The Theosophical Society (TS) as a practical experiment in applying theosophical principles to daily life.

In 1896 an enigmatic person known as Count De Das, visited Uruguay, as recorded in a 1912 issue of a magazine entitled Faro Oriental (Eastern Beacon). After his visit, the word “theosophy” became known in Uruguay through the foundation of a group known as “Centro Ocultista y Teosófico” (Occult and Theosophical Center).

Originally called “Order of the 15” and later the “Order of Christian Mystics”; for a short period in the 1920’s the name “Church of the Wisdom Religion” was used. The Fellowship was founded by Harriette Augusta Curtiss (1855-1932) who was also called Rahmea, and Frank Homer Curtiss (1875-1946) who was a graduate in medicine of the University of Pennsylvania; they were married in 1907.

Shortly after her election to the presidency of the Theosophical Society (TS), Annie Besant realized that the Society needed to print its own literature and in 1909, after equipment was received from England, the Vasanta Press began operation as her private venture. After her death in 1933, the press, together with the building she had constructed to house it, was inherited by the TS.

The term “World Congress” refers to international gatherings of the Theosophical Society (TS) held at least seven years apart in various cities of the world. This is in accordance with the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of the Theosophical Society as incorporated at Madras, India, in 1905.

An organization formed by the Theosophical Society (TS) at Adyar, Madras (now Chennai), on May 8, 1917, to improve the social condition of women in India. Its declared objects were:

To present to women their responsibility as daughters of India.

To band women into groups for the purpose of self-development and education, and for the definite service of others.

As far as can be ascertained, there were individual members of the Theosophical Society (TS) living in Wales long before any distinct organization came into being. Henry S. OLCOTT, in Old Diary Leaves, (4th Series, p.

An organization formed on November 30, 1892, in the Aryan Lodge, New York, to instruct and entertain very young members of theosophical families. Stories and songs were written and the concept was so successful that it soon spread to other countries.

A college of fine arts founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi ARUNDALE. It was first located on the property of the Theosophical Society at Adyar in Madras (now Chennai), India.

The Young Theosophists’ movement came into being in 1923 at the Vienna Congress. For some time it has been recognized that younger members of the Society had a need to express themselves theosophically and to have an input into lodge programming.

An international Order for young people of all creeds and races. Inspired by the Arthurian legends and with “Service” as its keynote, the modern Round Table Movement had its genesis in London on July 25th, 1908, under the aegis of the Theosophical Society (TS) and the direction of the Order’s Founder and first Senior Knight, George Herbert Whyte (1879 -1917).

The early history of the American Section of the Theosophical Society (TS) is very much interlinked with the founding of the Society itself. When the principal founders, Helena P. BLAVATSKY and Henry S.

An independent organization of theosophists founded in the United States. The 1894 crisis in the Theosophical Society (TS) which centered around William Quan Judge, Annie Besant and Henry Olcott resulted in a large proportion of American members supporting Judge and the formation of a breakaway organization known as The American Theosophical Society.

An annual program conducted at Adyar, headquarters of the Theosophical Society (TS). It was begun by the then President C. JINARAJADASA in November 17, 1950, with Nilakanta Sri Ram as Chairman of Discussions and C. R. Groves as Director of Studies.

The Adyar Library was founded on December 28, 1886 by Henry Steel OLCOTT, the Founder President of the Theosophical Society (TS), as an integral and basic part of the Theosophical Society. The main aims of the library as laid down by Olcott were: 

The Egyptian branch of the Adept Brotherhood, to whom belong several known Adepts: Serapis Bey (Ellora Section), Polidorus Isurenus (Solomon Section), Robert…