Theosophical Society

The organization known as the Theosophical Society is generally equated with the largest and most widespread of a number of groups that teach and disseminate those theosophical teachings based on the writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891). The Theosophical Society has its headquarters in Adyar, Madras, India. Other theosophical organizations include the Theosophical Society (Pasadena, California), the United Lodge of Theosophy (founded in Los Angeles), and Point Loma Publications (San Diego). Organizations that arose out of the teachings of Blavatsky but emphasize teachings originating from sources other than her include the Temple of the People (Halcyon, California), and the Word Foundation (Dallas, Texas).

The original Theosophical Society was founded on November 17, 1875, in New York City by sixteen individuals, only three of whom have retained their credentials as theosophical leaders and teachers: Helena Blavatsky; Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907), the first president of the Theosophical Society; and William Quan Judge (1851–1896).

The basic teachings of the Theosophical Society have varied somewhat from its original stated goals to what it professes today. Originally, the society was established, in the words of its bylaws, "to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which govern the universe." There is also evidence that the laws were to be applied; in other words, the practice of "magic"—defined as spiritual wisdom—was an unstated goal. The society also taught that spiritual wisdom was passed down through the ages by the great teachers of antiquity, among whom were Jesus, Buddha, Pythagoras, and Krishna. Furthermore, the great religious traditions such as Christianity, Buddhism, the Greek mystery schools, and Hinduism still retained much of this ancient wisdom, although it is encrusted with degraded later beliefs and practices that have nothing to do with it. By the 1880s the ancient wisdom described by Blavatsky became more associated with Hindu and Buddhist teachings because of her perception that it was retained to a greater degree there than in other religions.

Among the teachings adopted from Hinduism and Buddhism, as they were perceived by Theosophists, is rebirth (or reincarnation), the teaching that the essence of the individual (the "ego") takes on a physical body many times. Its complement, karma—"the Law of Cause and Effect"—states that for every intended action there is an effect. Karma therefore fuels future rebirths. These teachings are closely bound to the notion of the evolution and progress of the individual—on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

Most Theosophists explain theosophy through the objectives of the Theosophical Society and through the three propositions presented in the introduction to Blavatsky's magnum opus, The Secret Doctrine. The three objectives are as follows:

1. To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color
2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science
3. To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man

A synopsis of the three propositions is as follows: (1) the existence of an infinite and unknowable Absolute; (2) the cyclic nature (i.e., manifestation and dissolution, life and death) of the universe and all it comprises; and (3) the identity of the soul with the Universal Soul (of the Absolute) and the need for all souls to progress through the cycle of reincarnation to realize this identity.

In conclusion, members of the Theosophical Society perceive themselves as students persuing the truth as reflected in the objectives and propositions. The main activity of the society is the publication of basic theosophical classics and various outreach programs.

See alsoBuddhism; Hinduism; Karma; Magic; New Thought; Reincarnation; Spiritualism.

Bibliography

Besant, Annie. The Ancient Wisdom. 1939; repr., 1897.

Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Key to Theosophy. 1889; repr., 1973.

Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine, 2 vols. 1888; repr., 1974.

Deveney, John Patrick. Astral Projection or Liberation ofthe Double and the Work of the Early Theosophical Society. 1997.

Gomes, Michael. The Dawning of the Theosophical Movement. 1987.

Gomes, Michael. Theosophy in the Nineteenth Century:An Annotated Bibliography. 1994.

Judge, William Quan. The Ocean of Theosophy. 1893; repr., 1987.

Santucci, James A. "Theosophical Movement" and "Theosophical Society." In The Encyclopedia of Cults,Sects, and New Religions, edited by James R. Lewis. 1998.

James Santucci