Some Historical Highlights of the TS

[Will Morrow]

Many in this web community have not had the occasion to learn about some of the events that have shaped the modern TS. For example: Why did Kirshnamurti leave the TS? Why did Steiner leave? Why did Judge leave? How did organizations like the Liberal Catholic Church, the Free Masons and the Theosophical Order of Service come to be associated with so many TS members? What was A. Besant in jail for? What was HPB doing in Bhutan? Who were those people HPB ran into in Egypt? Where did HPB and HSO meet? Why did they move from New York and set up shop in India? Who was Damodar? What is Kiu-te?

[Will Morrow]

Martin,
Amazing!! How did you connect that BS to the history of the TS? Islamitic?? Control the Jews and Gnostics?? Tested and confirmed?? The knowledge was buried?? Beyond amazing!! One thing about you, my friend - you are always amusing and good for a deep belly laugh. I trust you don't take yourself any more seriously than the rest of us take you. How you eneded up on this web site is a Theosophical mystery. :)
Keep up the good work - if it is, indeed, work.

[Kerry James Goodhew]

Would have to go back to my book but off the top...

The forerunner to theosophy was something called like "The Magic Club". It bombed. Theosophy in NY was going the same way, on the verge of disappearing. Meetings were getting fewer, they were both broke, theosophy by association to fraudster mediums lost a ton of members. I think it was Olcott got the offer of some work in India. On arrival It basically became a snowball there because the Indians suddenly discovered that here were "white" people who agreed with "their" religions! That bacame an absolute sensation amongst the populace who were sick of English rule and Christianity, and theosophy became another (political) tool used to be a thorn in the side of the "rulers" of India. In a poor country money nevertheless started rolling in to transform them in a short time to becoming relatively wealthy.

[Janeth]

Yeeesss!! I have been thinking for the longest time about when we were going to have the privilege of seeing you posting a forum, Mr. Morrow!!☺ And what an excellent one you have given us. Thank you very much!!☺ Thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk about these very important aspects of TS history. I am pressed for time right at the moment but will get back to this when time permits-☺ I sincerely hope the important topics on this forum will be dealt with in a Theosophical manner and in a spirit of 'brotherhood'-☺

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

> Why did Kirshnamurti leave the TS?

There are many opinions. I think that due to the personal pride.

> Why did Steiner leave?

He regarded the coming of Christ the main event of human history, the most of theosophists not. He refused to admit to German section of TS followers of Krishnamurti and some other persons, what was a violation of Rules. Then he was expelled. There are many evidences that he planned to leave the Society already some years before but waited for a best opportunity.

> Why did Judge leave?

He with Besant were in charge of Esoteric Section. He declared that he would be the only head of the Section, to what Besant didn't agree. He was also accused in forging of some mahatma letters, which charges later weren't proved, as far I know. He decided to leave. I think that it occured due to the personal pride of both Judge and Besant.

> How did organizations like the Liberal Catholic Church, the Free Masons and the Theosophical Order of Service come to be associated with so many TS members?

The LCC and co-masonry existed independently and weren't started by the theosophists, as many sourses erroneously assert. The theosophists tried to influence these organizations to endow them by occult understanding and so combine the advangages of theosophy and ritualistic traditions. Unfortunately, mostly theosophists joined these organizations, so instead of the theosophical influence in christian and masonic circles we got a christian and masonic influence in theosophical circles. Nevertheless, this plan was partly successful, as LCC has now more members than the Theosophical Society (so it cannot be regarded as parasite on the body of the Society). For co-masonry I have no numbers, as freemasons keep their membership in secret.
Unike two abovementioned bodies, TOS was organized by the theosophists who wanted to make charity (in that times most charity organization were almost inseperately connected with church). It was around 1909.

> What was A. Besant in jail for?

For supporting the fight of Indian people for the home rule (authonomy).

> Where did HPB and HSO meet?

On a farm where spiritualistic phenomena occured. Olcott came to investigate them.

> Why did they move from New York and set up shop in India?

Maybe their Master adviced so, moreover, they had an alliance with Arya Samaj in India. Though later the alliance was broken, the Society had the better support than it had in USA.

> Who was Damodar?

He was a pupil of Master Morya and a secretary in Adyar headquarters. He officially left the brahmin caste. Being a gifted occultist, he wasn't much fit to the office work and later left to Tibet. He wrote several acticles and many letters but no books.

> What is Kiu-te?

Some modern investigators think that it's the same that rGyud-sde [gyu-de], a division of commentaries to the Buddhist canon. Some also define them as tantas.

[John Vorstermans]

My understanding is that Krishnamurti never left the Society. Someone once told me that after AB died K's bags were packed and left at the Gates of Adyar. In other words "go away".

He never "officially" left the T.S. and I understand from those who were present when he returned after an invitation by Radha, that he was glad to be invited back to Adyar. Sadly this was just before his death.

K was not happy with what aspects of what the T.S. were doing but he was always a theosophist.

John

[Will Morrow]

The original idea here was to encourage some anectdotal story telling rather than a quiz format. Although, as sometimes happens in a free format, anything may happen when people are invited to freely participate. It's obvious that when Martin saw the word "history" it triggered some knee-jerk reaction and he flooded the post with some of his customary psycho-babble rambling.
Kerry, your post has some interesting implications. Quoting from your books isn't necessary, but I would be interested to have you elaborate on some of the points you made.
Konstantin, it appears you've been around the TS some. I would be interested in hearing more about some of the one-line statements you made. Your J.K. and W.Q.J. statements greatly understate their case, as I'm sure you know.
Does anyone know the story of HPB and HSO comparing scars from the bodily wounds they'd each received in different conflicts they were involved in?

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

> Your J.K. and W.Q.J. statements greatly understate their case, as I'm sure you know.

Their followers run very loud propaganda in which they are praised while all others denigrated. It's very hard to go against of established opinion which was formed by many decades with almost no counteraction.
Also, I had to be brief.

[Kerry James Goodhew]

The thought to form "a" society came at a meeting on 7 September 1875 where a lecture was given on "The Lost Canon of Proportion of the Egyptians". Enthusiastic discussion ensued. Olcott wrote on a scrap of paper a note for HPB saying, "Would it not be a good thing to form a society for this kind of study?". Blavatsky took the note, read it, and nodded here head. When there was a break in the free discussion Olcott stood and made the proposal. There was enthusiastic agreement. Judge moved that Olcott should be the President, Judge elected Secretary. The next evening JH Felt gave another lecture on Egyptians, 16 people present, subsequently several resolutions for the organisation were passed, one being a committee of 3 to draft a constitution and by-laws. Still no name. At a meeting on 13 September after many names were thrown up. A Mr Sotheran jumped up to look into a dictionary to give the word theosophy


((more soon!))

[Will Morrow]

Nice, Kerry !! :)

[Kerry James Goodhew]

Somewhat off topic, There was something at that meeting on the 7th in the talk about the Egyptians that remains a major mystery that Symonds (author of biography) was dismayed that Olcott did not provide a drawing in describing ths "magical formula" that was always to be kept from the masses. I am not an artist, technical drawer, or particularly talented mathmatician myself but!, as I read this section I was stopped at it and could not help trying to sketch what was given in the description. I can scan it and put it on here. (only a sketch!) Perhaps others here can come up with a different sketch from the description?

Do you want that here? If you say yes, it could be that we reveal for the first time since then (1875) and then since aeons before, a secret of the Egyptians! Would be very interested to here from any Geometry/Physics expert on this in our "theosophy global community" about this. Why? It is alledged that the Egyptians made those giant blocks lighter somehow than there actual material mass!

[Vincent]

I would like to see the sketch. I have taken a few physics courses.

[Kerry James Goodhew]

Ok Vincent be back with it maybe over weekend (ours starts now = NZ) I'm a bit wiped out! Will reply to your page unless Will Morrow keen to have it here too!
cheers
kjg