Theosophical Order of Service: Difference between revisions

From Theosophy Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
[[File:TOS Logo 2008.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:TOS Logo 2008.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Tos-logo-dove.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Tos-logo-dove.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Annie Besant color.jpg|180px|right|thumb|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|Theosophical Society (Adyar)]], with motto:<br>
The '''Theosophical Order of Service''' (TOS)  is an international organization founded in February 1908 by [[Annie Besant]], then President of the [[Theosophical Society|Theosophical Society (Adyar)]], with motto:<br>
:: '''"A union of those who love in the service of all that suffers"'''
:: '''"A union of those who love in the service of all that suffers"'''
Line 12: Line 13:


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Annie Besant color.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Annie Besant, TOS founder. Painting by Dan Doolin.]]
[[File:Order of the Brothers of Service 1917.png|right|350px|thumb|Order of the Brothers of Service, 1917]]
=== The Order of the Brothers of Service ===
=== 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, a cornerstone was laid for '''Suryashrama''' ("the House of the Sun"), which was to be the home of the order. Construction was to proceed the following year, but ultimately the site was used for the [[Garden of Remembrance at Adyar|Garden of Remembrance]], built in 1935.
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 at Adyar|Garden of Remembrance]], built in 1935.<ref>George S. Arundale, "On the Watch-Tower" ''The Theosophist'' 38 no.9 (June, 1917): 237-239.</ref><ref>N. Sri Ram, "The Passing of Annie Besant" ''World Theosophy'' 3 no.12 (December, 1933): 370.</ref><ref>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.</ref>
 
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.
<blockquote>
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.<ref>[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/order-brothers-service "Order of the Brothers of Service, The"] in Theosophy World.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
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 United States ===

Latest revision as of 16:12, 26 August 2024

Expand article image 5.png




TOS logo.jpg
TOS Logo 2008.jpg
Tos-logo-dove.jpg
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




TOS in England

TOS in The Philippines

Activities

Publications

Additional resources

Official Websites

Articles

Video

  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.