Theosophical Society
The
Theosophical Society was the organization formed to advance the spiritual doctrines and altruistic living known as
Theosophy.
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Emblem of the Theosophical Society |
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
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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)
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, and various small splinter groups began to take shape including the
Palmers Green Theosophical Lodge under the leadership of
Thomas Neumark-Jones — which was influential among British
New Liberal intellectuals. 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.
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 spent the rest of his life as a teacher, disavowing any claims of sainthood, teaching while peforming charatible acts through his various 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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Agni Yoga Society *
Anthroposophy*
Arcane School (Alice Bailey)*
Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross*
Mystical Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross*
Church Universal and Triumphant*
Hugh Dowding*
I AM Foundation*
Anna Kingsford*
J. Krishnamurti*
U.G. Krishnamurti*
Liberal Catholic Church*
New Acropolis*
Elizabeth Clare Prophet*
Rudolf Steiner*
The Temple of the People*
Warren Prall Watters*
Brother XIISee also
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Order of the Temple of the Rosicrucian *
Mystical Order of the Temple of the Rosy Cross* Campbell, Bruce F. (1980).
Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
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FAQ on the theosophical movement
