The Theosophical Society is not a religion, having no binding creeds or dogmas. It is often asked just what does the Society stand for.
The Theosophical Society was formed at New York on November 17, 1875, and incorporated at Chennai (Madras) India on April 3, 1905. The Society’s three declared Objects describe its threefold mission which is:
- To form a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood/Sisterhood without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.
- To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
- To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.
The model shown above includes 6 of them.
Whatever your religion, belief system, your race or creed, Theosophy may unveil where you fit in in this rapidly expanding world of turbulent times.
Presently all humanity on earth, approximately 8 billion people, who choose to think and understand their purpose in life can be considered a seeker of the divine wisdom. We are shaped by our culture, race, religion and many other environmental factors. Our belief system is shaped from birth and to solve this complex paradox is the challenge if one chooses. Discovering this wisdom dissipates fear.
The Theosophical Society is a non-sectarian, non-political body of people united by their recognition of the principle of universal brotherhood.
In our brochure and website, we use the logo of the pink lotus flower to represent a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, rebirth and triumph over obstacles. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition.
The lotus flower germinates in the mud and manages to surpass the muddy water and produce a most beautiful flower on the surface. The sacred lily opens its petals to the sun each morning and at night it closes its blossoms and submerges to re-awaken in the morning to welcome the first rays of the sun. The muddy water does not cling to it, perfectly showing its true colours each day.
The journey of the lotus is is said to mirror our own spiritual path. It’s an inspiring metaphor of life as the beautiful lotus opens its petals one by one. The lotus may bloom in different colours. The pink/red colour represents true enlightenment in that rising above difficult circumstance one may learn to become the most wonderful self. Its meaning is associated with love and compassion not only for the world but also for oneself.
White Lotus Day (May 8th) is a day of remembrance for Theosophy followers. It’s the anniversary of the death of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (HPB) and is celebrated each year on May 8th as a commemoration of her life as shared by all Theosophical studies. In her will HPB suggested that her friends might gather without fanfare on the anniversary of her death on May 8th, 1891 and read from Sir Edwin Arnold’s The Light of Asia and from the Bhagavad Gita. Lotuses grew in unusual profusion one year later, hence May 8th became known as “White Lotus Day”.
It is considered that this enchanting flower with its unblemished pure white beauty, the White Lotus, is the most revered in the world, and is known as the “Womb of the World”. It is said to denote the purity of mind (Bodhi), the calmness and serenity of human nature and spiritual perfection.
This Myriad petalled white lotus is perhaps the supreme manifestation of the perfected life.