Theosophical Society facts for kids
The Theosophical Society is a group that studies wisdom and spiritual ideas from around the world. It was started in New York City, USA, in 1875. Two important founders were Helena Blavatsky, a Russian woman who explored spiritual mysteries, and Henry Steel Olcott, who became the society's first leader. The society combines ideas from old European philosophies and spiritual practices, like those that explore hidden knowledge. It also includes parts of Asian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.
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Where to Find the Theosophical Society
The original Theosophical Society has changed over time. It has split into different groups. As of 2011, there are several groups that continue its work. After Helena Blavatsky passed away, some leaders disagreed. This led to the group splitting. The main parts became the Theosophical Society Adyar and the Theosophical Society Pasadena.
The group based in India is the largest international one today. It is still called "Theosophical Society."
The Theosophical Society-Adyar has its main office in Adyar. This is a part of the city of Chennai in India.
The Society's Story
How the Society Started and Its Goals
The Theosophical Society officially began in New York City, USA. This happened on November 17, 1875. The founders included Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge, and 16 other people. They described themselves as "seekers after Truth." They wanted to promote friendship among all people. Olcott was their first president. He stayed president until he died in 1907.
At first, the society wanted to study and explain hidden knowledge. This included topics like Occultism and the Cabala. After a few years, Olcott and Blavatsky moved to India. They set up the main office in Adyar. They also became interested in studying Eastern religions. These were then added to the Society's goals.
The Society's main goals were officially set in Chennai on April 3, 1905. These are known as the Three Objects of the Theosophical Society:
- To help create a worldwide family of humans. This means without caring about race, religion, gender, social class, or skin color.
- To encourage the study of different religions, philosophies, and sciences.
- To explore the unexplained laws of nature. Also, to understand the hidden abilities within people.
To join the society, you only needed to agree with these goals. The Society was set up to be open to everyone. It did not favor any specific religion or belief. The rules stated that no one had to believe in any specific idea to be a member. However, every member had to support the idea of a worldwide human family.
The rules also said that members should not involve the society in political arguments. No member or leader should say that any specific belief is the only one supported by the society.
The society confirmed these ideas again in 1924. Three years before, in 1921, the Spanish Sociedad Teosófica was formed. It had local groups in many Spanish cities.
The Hidden Masters
One main idea of the Society is about "The Intelligent Evolution of All Existence." This means that everything in the universe, both seen and unseen, is always growing and changing. This growth happens on a huge, cosmic scale. It affects all parts of the universe. Helena Blavatsky wrote about this idea in her important book, Secret Doctrine, in 1888.
According to this idea, human growth on Earth is part of this larger cosmic growth. This process is guided by a hidden group of spiritual beings. These are called the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom. The highest of these beings are very advanced spiritual teachers.
Blavatsky believed the Theosophical Society was one of many attempts by these hidden Masters. They try to guide humanity over thousands of years. Their goal is to help humans reach perfection. They want people to consciously join in this growth process. These efforts need groups on Earth, like the Theosophical Society. Blavatsky said these groups were inspired by some of these Masters, also called Mahatmas.
How the Society Split Apart
After Helena Blavatsky died in 1891, the leaders seemed to work well together at first. But this did not last long. William Quan Judge was accused of faking letters from the Mahatmas. This accusation came from Olcott and another important Theosophist, Annie Besant. Judge then left Olcott and Besant in 1895. Most of the American members went with him.
The original group, led by Olcott and Besant, is based in India. It is known as the Theosophical Society – Adyar. The group led by Judge split further after he died in 1896. One part was led by Katherine Tingley. Another part was linked to Judge's secretary, Ernest Temple Hargrove. This part split off in 1898. Hargrove's group no longer exists. But Tingley's group is known as the Theosophical Society. Its main office is in Pasadena, California. A third group, the United Lodge of Theosophists (ULT), separated from Tingley's group in 1909.
In 1902, Rudolf Steiner became a leader of the German-Austrian part of the Theosophical Society. He followed a path that was more focused on Western ideas. This was somewhat separate from the main office in Adyar. Steiner had big disagreements with Annie Besant and other leaders. These disagreements were about the spiritual meaning of Christ. They also argued about the young boy Jiddu Krishnamurti (see the section below). Because of these conflicts, most German and Austrian members left in 1913. Under Steiner's leadership, they formed the Anthroposophical Society. This new group then grew into many other countries.
The main office for the Theosophical Society in England is in London. The Theosophical Society in Ireland is a separate group. It says it received its official permission directly from Helena Blavatsky. This group included the poet and mystic George William Russell.
The "World Teacher" Idea
Besides its stated goals, Blavatsky said in 1889 that the Society had another purpose. It was to prepare humanity for a World Teacher. Theosophical teachings say this teacher is a special spiritual being. This being, called the Maitreya, appears on Earth from time to time. Their job is to guide human growth. These teachers help people understand important knowledge. They share this knowledge in a way that people of their time can understand. This helps humanity move to a higher stage of development.
Blavatsky wrote that if the Society succeeded, it would be a strong group by the 20th century. Its teachings would have improved people's minds and hearts. People would be more open-minded. There would also be many books available. This would prepare a "united body" of people to welcome the new teacher. The teacher would find people ready for their message. They would have a language to share new truths. An organization would be waiting to help them.
Annie Besant, who became the Society's president in 1907, repeated this idea in 1896. She thought the World Teacher would appear sooner than Blavatsky had suggested. Blavatsky had thought it would not happen until the late 20th century.
Jiddu Krishnamurti and the World Teacher
One person who expected the World Teacher to appear soon was Charles Webster Leadbeater. He was an important Theosophist. In 1909, he found Jiddu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti was a young Indian boy. Leadbeater announced that Krishnamurti was the best person to be the "vehicle" for the World Teacher. Krishnamurti's family had moved near the Theosophical Society's main office in Adyar, India. After Leadbeater's "discovery," the Society took Krishnamurti under its care. They trained him for his expected mission.
However, by 1925, Krishnamurti started to move away from what the Society's leaders expected. In 1929, he publicly closed the Order of the Star. This was a worldwide group created by the Theosophical Society. Its purpose was to prepare the world for the Coming of the Maitreya. Krishnamurti also gave up his role as the "vehicle" for the World Teacher. He eventually left the Theosophical Society. But he remained friends with many individual members. He spent the rest of his life traveling and speaking. He became well-known for his original ideas on spiritual, philosophical, and psychological topics.
People and Groups Connected to the Society
Some famous thinkers were connected to the Theosophical Society. These include Thomas Edison, William Butler Yeats, and Laura Carter Holloway.
See Also
- Ascended Master Teachings
- Christian theosophy
- Religion and mythology
- Theosophical mysticism
Images for kids
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Seal of the Theosophical Society, Budapest, Hungary
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Commemorative plaque of Theosophical Society, Adyar, India
Video
- The Theosophical Society in America: An Illustrated History
