Theosophical Order of Service

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Annie Besant, TOS founder. Painting by Dan Doolin.

The Theosophical Order of Service (TOS) is an international organization founded in February 1908 by Annie Besant, then President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar), with motto:

"A union of those who love in the service of all that suffers"

The TOS offers a framework in which individuals may demonstrate practical and humanitarian actions in a theosophical spirit, whether or not they are members of the Theosophical Society.

History

Order of the Brothers of Service, 1917

The Order of the Brothers of Service

The TOS arose from the Order of the Brothers of Service, organized by Annie Besant in 1917. On May 7, 1917, Vaisakh Full Moon Day, a cornerstone was laid for Suryashrama ("the House of the Sun") in a Masonic ceremony. It which was to be the home of the order. Construction was to proceed the following year, but ultimately the site was used for the cremation of Annie Besant in 1933 and the Garden of Remembrance, built in 1935.[1][2][3]

Annie Besant was the head of the order, with C. Jinarajadasa as secretary and B. P. Wadia as treasurer. The membership were classified as Brothers, Novices, Probationers, Lay Brothers and Associates.

A Brother of the Order was one who had taken the vows of renunciation, obedience and service, and had agreed to transfer all his properties to the Order. Lay Brothers donated one-tenth of what they earned, while Associates gave voluntary donations. The declared objectives of the Order were as follows:

1. To work in the cause of educational, social, political and religious reform;

2. To help in the preparation for the near coming of the great World-Teacher, and to spread the teachings through precept and example during His presence in our midst and after His departure;

3. To spread the teachings given to the world through the Theosophical Society, and to advocate, both by precept and example, the practice of such teachings in daily life;

4. To prepare certain of its members, suited therefor by temperament, capacity and opportunity, for a specially ordered life of Renunciation, Obedience and Service;

5. To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

In its first year it had 17 brothers, 2 novices, 36 probationers, 44 lay brothers, and 2 associates. Thirteen of the Brothers offered their services to the educational work in India, 2 to theosophical work, one to Star work, and 2 to social organizations.[4]

Members shown in the 1917 photograph, from left to right, are:

Front Row : G. V. Subba Row, Yadunandan Prasad, J. R. Aria, T. P. Sinha.
Middle Row : C. S. Trilokekar, Dr. Mary Rocke, Annie Besant, George S. Arundale, N. Rama Rao.
Back Row : V. R. Samant, Mrs. Jinarajadasa, C. Jinarajadasa, B. P. Wadia, Mrs. Broenniman, Fritz Kunz.

TOS in United States

The Theosophical Society in the United States (TOS U.S.A.) encompassed, at various stages of its development, a range of specialized departments, including the Social Service Department, the Department of Peace, the Departments of Arts and Music, the Parents Theosophical Research Group, the Department of Ecological Research, the Animal Welfare Department, the Tibetan Friendship Group, and the Healing Department.

Parents Theosophical Research Group

The Parents Theosophical Research Group (PTRG), originally known as the Mothers' Research Group, was a department of the Theosophical Order of Service (TOS). It was founded by Muriel Lewis.

The Objects of the PTRG were described in its publication Parents Bulletin as follows:

- To promote a realization of the spiritual aspects of parenthood and family life.
- To gather together for mutual study those who are interested in work for children and youth.
- To bring to parents the light shed by the Ancient Wisdom on all problems in the home.[5]

PTRG published the Parents Bulletin (originally titled Mothers' Bulletin), the Children's Annual, and a number of pamphlets for children and parents.

TOS in England

THIS SECTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

TOS in The Philippines

THIS SECTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

International conferences

The Fifth international TOS conference took place in Vancouver, Canada following the World Congress in July 2025. Presentations followed the pattern of past conferences, with reports and talks on the past, present, and future of the organization. Videos are available in this YouTube playlist.

Activities

Publications

Here are some of the pamphlets and books published by the TOS:

  • Bendit, Phoebe D. The Psychic or Over-Sensitive Child. Ojai, Cal., Parents Theosophical Research Group, 1970. 7 pages. Reprinted: 1979, 1986. Reprint of a booklet by the Parents' Group of England in 1955.
  • Codd, Clara M. Theosophy for Very Little Children. PTPG Printing, 1982 (after 1916 edition by the T.P.H. Adyar.). Illustrated by Drucilla Lamkey.
  • Gray, Betty, The Twisted Rainbow: A Book for Children. Ojai, Cal., Parents Theosophical Research Group, 1964. 82 pages.
  • Latto, D. Man Is by Nature a Vegetarian. London: Theosophical Order of Service, 1958. 2 pages.
  • Meyer, Constance. The Golden Key : Letters to a Child. Theosophical Order of Service, U.S.A., 1988. 27 pages. Reprinted from a booklet published by Parents Theosophical Research Group, 1971, from the eight letters printed in The American Theosophist in 1950-51.
  • Theosophical Order of Service. Meditations for Peace. Theosophical Order of Service, ca1998. 8 pages.
  • Theosophical Order of Service. The Powers of Healing. Theosophical Order of Service, 1971. 18 pages. First published in 1971; this might be a later printing.
  • Theosophical Order of Service. Happiness Through Helping: Stories for Children (compiled by Martha Pellan of Chicago), 1949.
    • Second ed. (ed. by Muriel Lauder' Lewis), in 2 volumes. Ojai, Cal. Mothers' Research Group, 1954, 47 and 65 pages. Vol. 1 includes part 2 ("God’s Plan — evolution") and Vol. 2 includes parts 1 ("The Brotherhood of All Life") and 3 ("Man in Life and Death") of the 1949 ed.
  • Wardall, Max. Sleep and Dreams. London and Altadena, CA: Theosophical Order of Service, 1929. 24 pages. Theosophical Order of Service Series 1, Booklet 2.

Periodicals and Bulletins

  • TOS ECO-Letter (ed. Nadine Hunter). A newsletter published irregularly between 1970? and 1981 by the Department of Ecological Research, TOS. 26 issues. Replaced by For the Love of Life in 1982.
  • World of Wonder, a Magazine for Young People. No. 1 (Summer 1988), No. 2 (Fall 1988-Winter 1989).
  • Peace Letter, a bulletin of the Department of Peace, TOS. Replaced by For the Love of Life in 1982.
  • Evolving Universe, a bulletin of the Social Service Department, TOS. Replaced by For the Love of Life in 1982.
  • All Creation, a bulletin of the Animal Welfare Department, TOS.
  • Parents Bulletin (originally - Mothers' Bulletin), published quarterly from 1935 to 1989, by the Parents Theosophical Research Group.
  • Children's Annual by the Parents Theosophical Research Group, published annually between 1978 and 1987 in the month of December, sometimes standing in place of the corresponding issue of the Parents Bulletin.
  • Triple Gem, a bulletin of the Tibetan Friendship Group.
  • For the Love of Life - a combined publication of various departments. Started in 1982.

Additional resources

Official Websites

Articles

Video

Notes

  1. ↑ George S. Arundale, "On the Watch-Tower" The Theosophist 38 no.9 (June, 1917): 237-239.
  2. ↑ N. Sri Ram, "The Passing of Annie Besant" World Theosophy 3 no.12 (December, 1933): 370.
  3. ↑ T. L. Crombie and J. R. Aria, "The Birthday of Suryashrama" The Theosophist (June, 1917): 335-340. This is a detailed account of the ceremony and the horoscope of the event.
  4. ↑ "Order of the Brothers of Service, The" in Theosophy World.
  5. ↑ Parents Theosophical Research Group, Parents' Bulletin, 38-4, (December 1973), covers.
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