Theosophical Society Adyar

The Theosophical Survey of India, or Theosophy Society - Adyar is a successor organization to the original Theosophical Society founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875. Adyar, an area of Chennai where its headquarters is located, traces its beginnings to 1895 and the Theosophical Society faction headed by Henry Steel Olcott and Annie Besant after the faction led by William Quan Judge left to form its own organization. That other organization today titles itself simply the Theosophical Society, though often with the clarifying statement, "International Headquarters, Pasadena, California".

The presidents of the Theosophical Society - Adyar have included Annie Besant, Nilakanta Sri Ram, and currently Radha Burnier.

This organization's objectives are

To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science.
To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

This organization also has a North American branch called the "Theosophical Society in America" located at the Olcott Estate in Wheaton, Illinois.

Theosophical Society of India

Founder

H.P. Blavatsky and others founded the Theosophical Society. This got split with Indian section headed by Henry Steel Olcott and Annie Besant.

Year & place of founding

17th November, 1875 in New York City
1895, Adyar, India

Aims & ideals

To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science.
To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

Monastic / Non-monastic

Householders or celibates

General philosophical outlook

There exists a Consciousness (Logos), Universal and Individual
Immortality of Man
Belief in Reincarnation
Belief in theory of Karma
Universal Brotherhood
Evolution is God's plan and every individual ascends to Divinity

Spiritual disciplines generally advocated

Administrative set-up

The President is elected every seven years by members all over the world. The Vice-President acts on behalf of the President as necessary and assists him or her in various ways. The Secretary handles worldwide correspondence, maintains records including statistics of the worldwide membership of the Society, its Lodges and Sections, and is responsible for producing an annual report. He/she is also the Secretary of the General Council and the Executive Committee of the Society. This Committee, which meets a number of times each year, implements the decisions of the General Council, and makes financial and administrative decisions relating to the Society's Headquarters. The Treasurer is responsible for the finances of the Society, and prepares an annual financial report.

Provision for joining

Present chief of the movement

Mrs. Radha Burnier is the President

Activities

Religion & spirituality

Discourses are held regularly. Members individually practice mediatation.

Social field

The Olcott Education Society
The Olcott Memorial School
The Olcott Memorial High School

Cultural field

Theosophical Publishing House

Relief activities

Olcott Memorial High School provides free education, uniforms, books, and two daily meals to impoverished rural children in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. ^*

Province of its influence

Major publications

Magazines

The Theosophist - English monthly
Adyar Newsletter - quarterly journal
Wake Up India - quarterly journal
The Theosophical Digest - quarterly journal

Books

The Key to Theosophy - H. P. Blavatsky
An Outline of Theosophy - C.W. Leadbeater
The Ancient Wisdom - Annie Besant
At the Feet of the Master - Alcyone
First Principles of Theosophy - C. Jinarajadasa
Light on the Path - Mabel Collins
Seven Great Religions - Annie Besant

References

Washington, Peter (1995) Madame Blavatsky's Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America., Schocken; 1st American ed edition. ISBN 0805241256

External links

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