The Theosophical Order of Service is a world-wide organization founded by Dr. Annie Besant in 1908 for the service of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour. The first International Organizer, Mr. D. Jeffrey Williams, was appointed at the Geneva World Congress in 1936. The Object of the Order is to make brotherhood real and practical by alleviating misery and pain so that the world may become a happier place for all living beings.
Its motto is: A union of all who love in the service of all that suffers.
The first Leagues of the Order were formed in India for such objects as Social Brotherhood, National Education, and the abolition of child parentage, but in 1919 many of these had become dormant.
For many years Mr. Jamshed Nusserwanji was the Chief Brother for India and the work of the Order in this country was organized from Karachi. In 1941 the Order was suspended in India as it had become dormant. In 1947 at the International Convention of the Theosophical Society held at Varanasi, the Order was revived in India.
During the Annual Convention of 1965, in the general meeting of the Theosophical Order of Service, it was decided to re-organize the Order all over India and bring all activities of a philanthropic, social and altruistic type carried on by individual members and by Lodges under the banner of the Theosophical Order of Service and take up new activities. It will help the cause of Theosophy and the Theosophical Order of Service, if all activities of an altruistic type are registered and affiliated with the National Committee and regular reports are sent through the Regional Secretary
The type of activities which may be undertaken by a Branch of the Theosophical Order of Service are enumerated in the Rules. The work undertaken by any Branch must be suited to the needs of the locality and the resources of the workers. The work may not necessarily be on a large scale but what is required is a feeling of sincerity and compassion. Therefore, individuals and groups should give unreservedly of their best. There should be at least seven primary members to form a group. There are certain types of work which do not require large funds or much organization such as the following:
India is divided into many regions. Within each region are various Provincial Organizers with a Committee to assist them. Under the Provincial Organizers there are local Groups with a leader for each of the groups. To regularly constituted Groups a charter of authority is given by the National Organization.
Membership in local Groups is open to those who subscribe to the Objects of the Order and are in general sympathy with the ideals of the Theosophical Society..
Enquiries should be addressed to the Secretary of the Order, Sri Binoy Krishna, Chief Personnel Officer, F.C.I. Ltd. P.O. Barauni, Urvaraknagar, Dist. Begusarai, Bihar..
Mr. N. Sri Ram inaugurated the Science Group in December 1962 at the International Convention of the Theosophical Society. In his address he said: "A restudy of the nature of living things and facts we have associated with them and assumed to be correct seems necessary. The Indian Section of the Theosophical Society approved a set of rules by which the Science Study Group became an allied activity of the Section. Its object is to study science and modern thought in the light of Theosophy. Mr. V. Wallace Slater (England) became interested in this work and readily helped by securing an annual grant from the Theosophical World Trust for Education and Research. As a result a quarterly Bulletin of the Group in India was started.
The annual meetings of the Group are held during the International Conventions and guest speakers are invited to give addresses.
In December 1968, a discussion on integration of philosophy and science was held during the Convention. Articles were published highlighting the programme of integrative education. Wide interest was created by the visit of Mr. F. L. Kunz to India and he directed a Seminar in Adyar in 1971 when a number of talks with slides and films were given. Mr. M. S. Prasad, the Co-ordinator of these activities, has since brought out Part 1 of the proceedings of this Seminar entitled Deductive Exact Science and Metaphysics.
Following the interest created by the seminar on Theosophy and Science by F.L. Kunz a number of study courses on similar lines were conducted by Dr. A. Kannan at the invitation of several Lodges. In June 1971, Bangalore City Lodge organized seven lectures. In December 1971, Cuttack Lodge arranged seven lectures. A study camp was organized at Kodaikanal by the Madurai Theosophical Lodge in 1972 and at Madurai again in February 1974.
The Bulletin has grown into a regular quarterly periodical. Some of the topics covered in the Bulletin are: Occult Chemistry, Sound and Music in the light of Theosophy, History in the light of Theosophy, Ancient Civilization in South America, and the Occult History of India, besides a series of review articles on Theosophy, science and modern thought in perspective. Amongst the contributors special mention must be made of Miss E. W. Preston who contributed a number of papers of value and outlines of a study course in Theosophy and Science..
N. Sri Ram, in a message to the Bulletin, said: "It is not necessary, nor practicable, for all of us to become students of modern science; yet for an understanding that aims to be complete we need to have some acquaintance at least with those aspects of Nature which science reveals. The glory of science lies in its absolute objectivity in which objectivity there is both precision and logic."
Books published by the Group are:
Impact of Theosophy and Science; One Life and Functional Forms; Deductive Exact Science and Metaphysics.Membership is open to any member of the Theosophical Society who is in sympathy with the studies undertaken by the Group. The Life Membership fee is Rs. 150 (payable in instalments by request). Ordinary membership fee is Rs. 12 per year. Subscription to the quarterly Bulletin is Rs 6. Enquiries and correspondence should be addressed to Dr. A Kannan, the Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras 600020.
About the year 1915, Dr. Besant instructed C. Jina rajadasa to write a new ritual to prepare the world for the coming of the World Teacher centred around the themes of: (1) The unity of all religions, and (2) worship through one's daily tasks. A beautiful ritual was compiled in which the Star symbolizes the One Principle.
As a result of the old traditional ideas as to God and His worship in the temples and churches of the various religions, men have divided the world into two halves:. the religious, where God can be found; and the secular where men need not associate God with their daily activity and enjoyment.
In the Ritual of the Mystic Star an essential element is the teaching that men can carve a road to the highest life of the spirit from where they are. A man's profession or means of livelihood can be made into a door for his highest spiritual realization; as he does his work loyally, faithfully and with idealism, there stands unseen by his side a greater Worker who can give him both inspiration and benediction.
A third aspect is to create, as the ritual is performed, an atmosphere of understanding and tenderness towards all that lives, and to bring about a realization of that unity and strength which underlies what the World Teacher taught in Palestine when he said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
In 1920 some Theosophists living in South India created the Bharata Samaj. Its purpose was to simplify certain rituals of Hinduism, particularly that of the Upanayana, or thread ceremony, and marriage. The Bharata Samaj considered that in both these ceremonies it was possible to extract the really important Vedic verses of consecration and condense the ceremonies so as to make them more effective. Under the guidance of Pandit Mahadeva Sastry, a very distinguished Sanskrit scholar, well versed in all ancient traditions, concise rituals were written. The original form of the rituals was retained and nothing that was not in the ancient Sanskrit version was added, but non-essentials were omitted. A daily puja centred around the Gayatri mantra with mantras from the Vedas was also compiled. It is a unique worship because it is not centred around a deity and an image. On the altar is only a lighted lamp, recognized as a symbol of divinity. The congregation chants the mantras and participate actively in the puja. It is a worship in which all can participate irrespective of caste or religion.
It was thought that this work would be strengthened by having a Bharata Samaj Temple on the Headquarters estate at Adyar. The Executive Committee of the Society leased to the Bharata Samaja small plot of ground for that purpose.
There is also a Bharata Samaj temple at Varanasi within the estate of the Indian Section. At Adyar and at Varanasi the worship is performed regularly every morning. Many Theosophical Lodges in India perform this puja either once a week, or once a month or on certain religious occasions.
The Bharata Samaj holds its annual business meetings during the International Conventions of the Theosophical Society.
Membership in the Bharata Samaj is open to any Hindu above the age of 18 years who is in sympathy with its Objects and is recommended by two members. The annual subscription is Rs. 2 and the registration fee is Rs. 2 for every new member.
Enquiries may be addressed to the Secretary, Sri V. N. Raghupathi, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras 600020.
This is an international Order for children and young people to band them together for Service. It has tried to revive the old ideals of chivalry. The Order was founded in London by George Herbert Whyte (Knight Lancelot) on 5 July 1908 with the help of Mrs. Maud S. Sharp and with the approval of Dr. Besant who became its first Protector. Soon branches were established in many other lands, in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, various European countries, South Africa and India. Rukmini Devi Arundale is the present Senior Knight and Head of the Order.
Each Group is left free to adopt the Round Table plan and ceremonial suited to the particular needs of the community, the only pledge binding on all being the motto of the Order: "Live pure, Speak true, Right wrong, Follow the Light".
The Order has various ceremonies for those who are attracted towards rituals, but none are obligatory. The ceremonies are intended to provide channels for the flow of spiritual force.
Only a duly constituted Knight having received authority to form a Round Table may open a new Table or start a Group. Each Table chooses for itself a name and a line of activity..
In India there are 18 Groups and most of them are active in Ceremonial or Service.
Enquiries for information, authority, etc., for forming a Table or Group should be addressed to Miss J. Jussa walla, Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Bombay 400054.
The Theosophical Islamic Association was started in the year 1923 by C. Jinarajadasa. The chief workers were Prof. H. C. Kumar and Prof. Jethmal Parsram of Karachi who served the cause with great energy and enthusiasm.
This is one of the channels through which some Theosophists in India seek to work for communal harmony and understanding. At the International Convention held at Varanasi in December 1944, a few delegates from different Provinces met specially for reviving the Association. These delegates passed the following resolution:
"As the time has come when the Theosophical Society in India should exert its very best for the service of Islam, be it resolved that Theosophists in India take the necessary steps to revive the Theosophical Islamic Association with the object of studying the Islamic scriptures and literature and of creating, with the aid of Theosophy, a better understanding of the Koran and its Great Prophets."
It is further resolved "that all Theosophists in India be called upon actively to help in the work of the Theosophical Islamic Association and also to co-operate with the All India Mel Milap Association in creating harmony between the communities in various ways and particularly by:
C. Jinarajadasa wrote a few pamphlets presenting Islam in the light of Theosophy and a mosque was built on the estate of the world headquarters of the Society designed after the Pearl Mosque at Delhi. The Adyar Library and Research Centre has a fine collection of books on Islam and Sufism. There are also a few manuscripts on Islam. The Society wishes to enlarge the section on Islam and Sufism for the benefit of students of Islamic studies and Muslims generally.
The Society welcomes manuscripts on Islamic topics written from the "Theosophical point of view and will publish them if they are found suitable. Members or all those who possess books or manuscripts on Islam and Sufism in Urdu, Persian, Arabic or in any other language are requested to send them to the Librarian, The Adyar Library and Research Centre, Adyar, Madras 600020.
Membership in the Association is open to all irrespective of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. Life Member ship fee is Rs 100. The annual fee for ordinary member ship is Rs 5. For members of the Theosophical Society in good standing and for those below the age of 25 years the membership fee is Rs 2.
Branches of the Association may be formed in Theosophical Lodges or independently to acquaint Muslims and others about the universality of the Theosophical movement and the truths of Islam in the light of Theosophy. Enquiries and requests for application forms may be sent to the President, Prof. H. E. Hakim, or Mr. F.M.G. Sayeed, Secretary of the Association, The Theo- sophical Society, Adyar, Madras 600020.
The Order of International Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain (Human Rights), affirms the essential equality of man and woman. The Order aims that throughout the world they shall attain in equal degree to the enjoyment of social justice, within a Humanity organized in free and fraternal societies. It is composed of Freemasons of both sexes, fraternally united without distinction of race, religion or philosophy, and in order to attain its end the Order prescribes a ceremonial and symbolic method by which its members raise their Temple to the perfecting of Humanity.
The motto of the Order is Ordo ab Chao, Order out of chaos. A life of haphazardness, of chaos, is transformed gradually into a life of order, purpose and beauty.
The origin of Masonic tradition can be traced to the Ancient Mysteries of bygone civilizations, including those of Egypt and Greece; and these Ancient Mysteries can be recognized as the fount of subsequent religious, philosophical and ethical teachings.
To the altruistic and earnest seeker after Wisdom, Masonry gives not only valuable practical training and counsel, but it also brings to him spiritual enlightenment that will sustain him in his darkest hours. The practice of true brotherliness is the greatest and strongest ideal and precept in Freemasonry.
Co-Freemasons seek to contribute to the building of a new world. Three important requisites for a Freemason are: selflessness, balance and common sense, and his training as a Freemason is such that it helps him to acquire or to increase these qualities.
Membership of a Lodge, and therefore of the Order as a whole, should be a matter of great importance in the life of a Mason. Lodges meet regularly and members are expected to attend regularly unless sickness or some personal emergency should make attendance impossible.
International Co-Freemasonry, free as it is from out side influence, from concern with politics, commerce and other subjects which divide opinion, and having a deeply spiritual aim and principles, should prove to be one of the main instruments for the establishment and maintenance of Peace.
The Co-Freemasonic Order was founded in 1882 and has since spread over the globe. The Headquarters of the Order, established in Paris in 1900, have continued to be the Headquarters of the International Order to this day. The first Lodge in India and the East was started at Varanasi by Dr. Annie Besant. In India the Head- quarters are in Madras and enquiries may be addressed to Mr. D.V. Syamala Rau, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras 600020.
The New Life for India Movement stands for Right Values, Right Citizenship, Right Means.
The New Life for India movement owes its inception to the deeply cherished feeling of a large number of men and women in this country that public and private life must be guided by the high moral and ethical principles that are the basis of Indian culture. The Movement was inaugurated by the former Governor of Tamil Nadu, Sardar Ujjal Singh, in October 1968. In doing so, the Governor said: "In all walks of life we should stress by precept and example the value and importance of character, integrity, discipline and unity, without which no nation can prosper.
"A movement like this calls for sustained efforts of bands of earnest and dedicated workers. It must have a mass education programme because it is only by education that we can succeed in bringing home to the people what we stand for."
The Movement seeks to work among students and youth through rallies, seminars and camps, to gain active acceptance and support for its principles and work. It also endeavours to explain the necessity for maintaining and increasing productivity, so that there may be as little loss of national effort as possible. The support of men in business and industry and in the professions has been enlisted for the maintenance of integrity and right principles.
The Movement was registered as a Trust in June 1972. The founder trustees are the late Mr. N. Sri Ram, Mrs. Radha Burnier, Mr. S. Padmanabhan, Dr. N. Vasudeva Rao, and Mr. K.N. Ramanathan. A quarterly journal called Wake Up, India is being edited by Mr. C. R. N. Swamy from Adyar.
Donations to New Life for India are exempt from income tax. There is no regular subscription but funds are required to enable it to function effectively. Further details can be obtained from the Secretary, New Life for India, Lt. Col. R. Gopalaratnam, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras 600020.
