World Congress of the Theosophical Society (Adyar)

From time to time, the Theosophical Society based in Adyar holds a World Congress, and not more than once in a span of seven years.

Annie Besant opening the First World Congress

First World Congress, Paris, 1921

The First World Congress was held in Paris, France, in 1921. Clara Codd wrote of Annie Besant's lecture: "When she spoke to the Sorbonne at the First World Congress we held in Paris, we all gave up our seats to accommodate the thronging French crowds, for Mrs. Besant spoke in French."" B. P. Wadia spoke on "Will the Soul of Europe Return?" The Rapp Square headquarters building of the French Section was dedicated during this congress. Professor Jean Émile Marcault "was one of the outstanding features of the World Congress" in his excellent translations of speeches from French to English and English to French. At least 1400 delegates from thirty-four nations were in attendance, including Americans A. P. Warrington, Max Wardall, Marie Poutz, Elizabeth Bartlett, and A. F. Knudsen. A major topic of the congress was best method of educating youth.

Second World Congress, Adyar, 1925

The Second World Congress was held in Adyar, Chennai, India, in 1925, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Theosophical Society.

Special department in The Theosophical Messenger. Drawing by Robert M. Bernardeau.

Poster for Third World Congress

Third World Congress, Chicago, 1929

The Third World Congress was held at the Hotel Stevens in Chicago, United States, August 24-29, 1929. Speakers included Annie Besant, George S. Arundale, Rukmini Devi Arundale, C. Jinarājadāsa, Geoffrey Hodson, Dorothy Jinarājadāsa, Clara Codd, A. P. Warrington, L. W. Rogers, and Mrs. C. W. Dykgraaf.

The meetings of the World Congress were held in the Ball Room of the Stevens Hotel. It was combined with the Convention of the American Section....

Mr. Hodson was the star speaker after Dr. Besant, and the Congress and Convention closed as was the custom with the American Section in those days, with a huge banquet, at which everyone had to tell a story.

A magazine story relates:

The three outstanding characteristics of the Congress were the discussions of the relationship between the Society and The Liberal Catholic Church, the removal to India of the Official magazine, The Theosophist, and a change of dues to the Society.

Dr. Besant was present and spoke frequently upon many subjects in both open and closed meetings. Public lectures were given also by Dr. James Cousins, and Mr. Geoffrey Hodgson, of England. Bishop Arundale of The Liberal Catholic Church of Australia was one of the principal speakers throughout the convention, together with the officials of The American Society. There were delegates present from the following countries: England, India, Australia, Sweden, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Iceland, Wales, Uruguay, Poland, Central America, Porto Rico and Czecho-Slovakia.

The Congress closed with a banquet at which more than a thousand people were present.

Margueret E. Cousins, a musician and teacher, reported that:

On Aug. 29, the closing day of The Theosophical Society's World Congress in Chicago, a group of artists and art-lovers present at the Congress met for an informal discussion of ways and means by which the arts might be given greater prominence in theosophical activities.

She went on to list ten resolutions about integrating the arts into events and practices of the Theosophical Society, and to say that an Art Committee had formed, with herself as liaison in Adyar and Mrs. C. Shillard Smith as correspondent in the United States.

Many of the speakers stayed after the congress to assist with the Summer School held in the new Wheaton headquarters. The published Proceedings of the school included transcribed lectures by Annie Besant, Max Wardall, Geoffrey Hodson, L. W. Rogers, and George Arundale.

Fourth World Congress, Geneva, 1936

The Fourth World Congress was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1936. Clara Codd described that event:

This time we met in the Hall of the League of Nations, generously lent to us for the occasion. We each sat at a large table. Underneath it a disc cold be turned and ear phones were attached. There were eight points to which one could turn the disc, and at each one heard through the ear phones a current translation of the speech being delivered, in any one of eight languages. This was done by an interpreter sitting in a little booth under the stage, and speaking the translation into a telephone simultaneously with the speaker...

At Geneva I saw again some for my American friends. The American General Secretary, Mr. Sidney A. Cook, had brought over such a lovely blue and silver car that it attracted Swiss crowds wherever it was parked.

Delegates gathering around N. Sri Ram at Kongresshaus, Salzburg

Fifth World Congress, Salzburg, 1966

The Fifth World Congress was held at Kongresshaus in Salzburg, Austria, in 1966, attended by 1200 members from 47 countries. The theme was "A World in Transition." John B. S. Coats was the principal organizer of this congress. Other participants were International President N. Sri Ram, Bhagirathi Sri Ram, James S. Perkins, Kathrine Perkins, Clara Codd, Felix Layton, Eunice Layton, Geoffrey Hodson, and Sandra Hodson. Geoffrey Barborka was present, as a stop in his world tour.

• Radha Burnier spoke on "Liberating Beauty."
• Mrs. Gool Minwalla, Mrs. Stakesby-Lewis, and Miss Ruth Beringer made a presentation about "The Role of the TS in Present Conditions."
• Mr. Ross, Mr. Hjalmarsson, and Felix Layton discussed "The Place of Religion in a World of Science and Technology."
• Geoffrey Hodson delivered a talk on "Through War Caused by Ignorance to Peace Founded upon Knowledge."

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  1966 badge of Lois Burns
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  Program cover
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  Speakers on platform
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  Group gathered outdoors
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  Flags at Kongresshaus
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  Radha Burnier
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  Clara Codd with Bhagirati Sri Ram
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  John B. S. Coats
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  Rukmini Devi Arundale

Dalai Lama and John Coats in 1975, Adyar

Sixth World Congress, several locations, 1975

The Sixth World Congress, or Centennial World Congress, was held in New York City, United States, in 1975, with the theme, "In the Footsteps of the Founders." About 800 members from around the world attended sessions in the Grand Ballroom of the Statler Hilton Hotel. Participates included people from many branches of the broader Theosophical Movement, making it the first major effort toward fraternization since the H. P. Blavatsky Centennial Conference held in 1931 in London.

This congress commemorated the centenary of the founding of the Theosophical Society, and was followed by major celebrations in London, Bombay, and Adyar. Early in 1976 the celebrations continued in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then in Australia. The only person known to have attended all six events was Joy Mills, the Vice President of the international Theosophical Society.

According to one observer of the New York event, the lecture by Boris de Zirkoff called "The Dream that Never Dies," was "truly a high point of that week-long gathering." That and many other centennial lectures were recorded and are available at the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library. Audio recordings of the lectures in New York are available, along with the program.

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  Coats and Mills in New York
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  New York
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  Adyar

Seventh World Congress, Nairobi, 1982

The Seventh World Congress was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1982. The theme was "Live to Benefit Mankind." Some of the people seated in the front row of this group photograph includ Joy Mills, Radha Burnier, Ianthe H. Hoskins, and Emily Sellon.

Eighth World Congress, Brasilia, 1993

The Eighth World Congress was held in Brasilia, Brazil, in 1993. The theme was "Towards a Wise Mind and a Noble Society."

Emblem of the Ninth World Congress in Sydney

Ninth World Congress, Sydney, 2001

The Ninth World Congress was held in Sydney, Australia, January 13-19, 2001. The theme was "In Tune With the Universe."

Tenth World Congress, Rome, 2010

The Tenth World Congress was held in Rome, Italy, in 2010. The theme was "Universal Brotherhood without Distinctions: a Road to Awareness."

Eleventh World Congress, Singapore, 2018

Group photo in Singapore

The Eleventh World Congress was held August 4-9, 2018, in Singapore. Here are YouTube videos from that congress:

• Playlist of all videos.
• Opening Address and Keynote - opening by Tim Boyd, and Keynote by Marcos de Resende.
• A Theosophy for Tomorrow by Tim Boyd.
• Consciousness, Compassion and Contemplation by Deepa Padhi.
• What is Our Role in Education by Clemice Petter
• Theosophy – an Unceasing Path of Self-discovery by Krista Umbjarv.
• Learn about Theosophy.World by John Vorstermans and Richard Sell.
• TOS Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow by Nancy Secrest.
• Our Work in the 21st Century by Vic Hao Chin.

Emblem of the Twelfth World Congress in Vancouver

Twelfth World Congress, French

Twelfth World Congress, Vancouver, 2025

The Twelfth World Congress was held at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from July 23-27, 2025, celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Theosophical Society and centennial of the Theosophical Society in Canada. The theme was "Toward Insight and Wholeness: Our Role in Shaping the Future." These are YouTube videos from Vancouver:

• Opening of the 12th World Congress. Welcome by Marja Artamaa, International Secretary of the TS; First Nations Welcoming by Mary Point; Prayers of Religions; Universal Prayer; Video Greetings; Welcoming by the Host, Robert Béland, President of the Canadian Theosophical Association; Address by Tim Boyd, International President; and closing of the session by Marja Artamaa.
• Bhart Samaj Puja by Sis. Vijayalakshmi and Dr. R. Revathy, TS India.
• Compilation Video Greetings from TS Around the World.
• Evening Together 1: Adyar, the Multiverse by Catalina Isaza Cantor and Shikhar Agnihotri.
• Keynote Address: 150 Years of Theosophy by Michael Gomes, followed by presentation to Mr. Gomes of the Subba Row Medal by Tim Boyd.
• Lecture: The Adepts' Dream for Humanity by Pedro Oliveira.
• Lecture: Strengthening the Core of Theosophical Work by Vic Hao Chin Jr., and book launch by Tim Boyd.
• Intercultural Dialogue: Wisdom Across Borders: Toward a More Connected World.
• Evening Together 2: The Divine Union - A Path to Insight and Wholeness Indian Dance by Suvralina Mohanti and Kritika Goel; TS India & Launching: Theojyoti News Channel by Taral Munshi and Archana Munshi.
• Toward Insight and Wholeness:Our Role in Shaping the Future by Elizabeth May - Author, Activist, Lawyer.
• First Nation Teachings and Language: A slideshow by Sonja Nahanee, Squamish Nation, Canada.
• Philosophies of First Nations of the West: Similarities & Differences with Theosophy by Shawn Edenshaw.
• Short talks by Deepa Padhi, India; Vibha Saksena, India; and Krista Umbjarv, France.
• The New Theosophy for the Coming Centuries by Stephan Hoeller, introduced by Michael Gomes.
• Introduction with Tim Boyd conducted by Michael Gomes.
• Next Steps by Tim Boyd, International President of the TS.
• Theosophy and Art: Reviving a Transformative Legacy by Elif Kamisli, Turkey.
• Workshops: Wrapups with Facilitators with Moderator: Donna Erickson, TS Canada. Speakers included Ricardo Lindemann, Maryse Decoste, Sonal Myrali, Pablo Sender, Francis Lim, and Leo Ta.
• Conversation: Roots & Shoots - 150 years of Theosophical Movement with Tim Boyd, International President of the TS, Adyar; Jonathan Colbert, Associate of the ULT, Member of TSA (Wheaton); Kenneth Small, Point Loma Theosophist of the Eclectic Tradition, USA; April Hejka-Ekins, Professor Emerita of Public Administration, Co-founder of Alexandria West, USA; and Eugene Jennings, ULT, California, USA.
• Closing Session of the 12th World Congress. Slide show of participants by George Bester, followed by addresses from Marja Artamaa, Robert Béland, Tim Boyd, Grégoire Canapé, and Carole Flamand a Atikamekw.
• One Fire: The enduring legacy of Theosophy and Helena Blavatsky. This documentary, completed in 2025, was first shown at the Twelfth World Congress of the Theosophical Society.

Additional resources

Articles

• World Congress, Theosophical in Theosophy World

Pamphlets

• 1975 World Congress Program from New York.

Audio

• Centenary Talks. Eight lectures from the 1975 World Congress in New York.

Video

• World Congress Teaser by Theosophical Society. This video shows moments from the 2018 congress in Singapore, and is intended to stir interest in the 2025 congress in Vancouver. Posted May 23, 2024.
• Invitation to the 12th World Congress by Tim Boyd.
• One Fire: The enduring legacy of Theosophy and Helena Blavatsky. This documentary was released in 2025 and first shown at the Twelfth World Congress of the Theosophical Society, celebrating its 150th anniversary. ©Terhi Ahava & The Theosophical Society.