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'''Universal Brotherhood''' appeared as the first Object of the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1881, as follows:

<blockquote>First — To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, the obvious philanthropic value of which must be beyond dispute, while the esoteric significance of a union formed on that plan, is conceived by the Founders, for reasons derived from a study of Oriental Philosophy, to be of great importance.<ref>Ransom, J. A Short History of the TS (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1989), 155.</ref></blockquote>

In 1896 the Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Adyar, India, gave the first Object its definitive form which it has today:

<blockquote>1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.</blockquote>

The Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Pasadena, California, mentions the idea of brotherhood in its third object as follows:

<blockquote>3- To form an active brotherhood among men.</blockquote>

== Universal brotherhood in the Mahatma letters ==

The [[Mahatmas]] in their [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|letters]] to [[A. P. Sinnett]] stated in several occasions that the [[Theosophical Society]] was meant to promote the Universal Brotherhood. For example, [[Koot Hoomi|Mahatma K. H.]] said "it has been constantly our wish to spread on the Western Continent among the foremost educated classes 'Branches' of the T.S. as the harbingers of a Universal Brotherhood".<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 44 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 30.</ref>

Especially at the beginning of his correspondence, [[A. P. Sinnett]] was reluctant about the usefulness of this aim, and advised to remodel the [[Theosophical Society]] on the principle of a college for the special study of occultism, something the [[Mahatmas]] decidedly refused.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 2 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 8.</ref> In [[Koot Hoomi|Mahatma K. H.]]'s view:

<blockquote>The term “Universal Brotherhood” is no idle phrase . . . It is the only secure foundation for universal morality. If it be a dream, it is at least a noble one for mankind: and it is the aspiration of the true adept.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 5 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 20.</ref></blockquote>

It is important to notice the word "universal" along with "brotherhood". [[Koot Hoomi|Mahatma K. H.]] defined it as "an association of 'affinities' of strong magnetic yet dissimilar forces and polarities centred around one dominant idea".<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 10 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 27.</ref> The aim of the [[Theosophical Society]] is not merely to bring together people of a certain race, creed, caste, etc., but to gather different kinds of people around a central aim, without distinctions.

==Online resources==
===Articles===
*[http://www.theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Brotherhood,_Universal# Universal Brotherhood] at Theosopedia
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1445# Brotherhood] by John Algeo
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/universal-brotherhood-a-fact-in-nature.htm# Universal Brotherhood a Fact in Nature] by William Q. Judge

== Notes ==
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[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]