Theosophical Order of Service
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
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
TOS in England
TOS in The Philippines
Activities
Publications
Additional resources
Official Websites
- Theosophical Order of Service International
- Theosophical Order of Service at TS Adyar Website
- Theosophical Order of Service in Australia
- Theosophical Order of Service in New Zealand
- Theosophical Order of Service in Philippines
- Theosophical Order of Service in UK
- Theosophical Order of Service in USA
Articles
- How to move forward? The Theosophical Order of Service lends a helping hand by Diana Dunningham Chapotin and Dorothy Bell
- In the Name of Love by Ananya S. Rajan
- Theosophical Order of Service at KatinkaHesselink.net
- Theosophical Order of Service in Theosophy World
Video
- On Root Causes and Symptoms by Vic Hao Chin, Jr.
- ↑ George S. Arundale, "On the Watch-Tower" The Theosophist 38 no.9 (June, 1917): 237-239.
- ↑ N. Sri Ram, "The Passing of Annie Besant" World Theosophy 3 no.12 (December, 1933): 370.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Order of the Brothers of Service, The" in Theosophy World.