View source for Theosophical Order of Service

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[[File:TOS logo.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:TOS Logo 2008.jpg|right|150px]]
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[[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>
:: '''"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 ==
[[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 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. 
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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>
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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 ===
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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, and the Healing Department.
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=== TOS in England ===

=== TOS in The Philippines ===

=== International conferences ===

The Fifth international TOS conference took place in Vancouver, Canada following the [[World_Congress_of_the_Theosophical_Society_(Adyar)#Twelfth_World_Congress,_Vancouver,_2025|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 '''[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUiu6C_LsrOaK6UbT0hcNQAVoqeY_cFHJ YouTube playlist]'''.

== Activities ==

== Publications ==

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

* Latto, D. '''''[https://archive.org/details/man-is-by-nature-a-vegetarian Man Is by Nature a Vegetarian]'''''. London: Theosophical Order of Service,  1958. 2 pages.
* Wardall, Max. '''''[https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22Max+Wardall%22 Sleep and Dreams]'''''. London and Altadena, CA: Theosophical Order of Service, 1929. 24 pages. Theosophical Order of Service Series 1, Booklet 2.
* '''''[https://archive.org/details/meditations-for-peace Meditations for Peace]'''''. Theosophical Order of Service, ca1998. 8 pages.
* '''''The Power of Healing'''''. 14 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 Theosoophical Research Group]], 1971, from the eight letters printed in [[The American Theosophist]] in 1950-51.

== Periodicals ==

* ''TOS ECO-Letter''. A newsletter published irregularly by the Department of Ecological Research, TOS. 
* ''World of Wonder'', a Magazine for Young People. No. 1 (Summer 1988), No. 2 (Fall 1988-Winter 1989).

== Additional resources ==

=== Official Websites ===
* [http://international.theoservice.org# Theosophical Order of Service International]
* [http://www.ts-adyar.org/content/theosophical-order-service# Theosophical Order of Service] at TS Adyar Website
* [http://australia.theoservice.or# Theosophical Order of Service in Australia]
* [http://tos.theosophy.org.nz# Theosophical Order of Service in New Zealand]
* [http://www.theosophy.ph/tos.htm# Theosophical Order of Service in Philippines]
* [http://www.tos-uk.org.uk# Theosophical Order of Service in UK]
*[http://www.theoservice.org# Theosophical Order of Service in USA]

=== Articles ===
*[http://www.theosophyforward.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69:how-to-move-forward-the-theosophical-order-of-service-lends-a-helping-hand&catid=43:the-society&Itemid=50# How to move forward? The Theosophical Order of Service lends a helping hand] by Diana Dunningham Chapotin and Dorothy Bell
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/in-the-name-of-love In the Name of Love] by Ananya S. Rajan
*[http://www.katinkahesselink.net/links-tos.html# Theosophical Order of Service] at KatinkaHesselink.net
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/theosophical-order-service Theosophical Order of Service] in Theosophy World

=== Video ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg3T6FDQlXc ''On Root Causes and Symptoms''] by Vic Hao Chin, Jr.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y685jIpPbpc&list=PLUiu6C_LsrOYyLIQXbg5W1vT6PKtr6wTy&index=16 TOS Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow] by Nancy Secrest. Presented in 2018 at 11the World Congress, Singapore.
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUiu6C_LsrOaK6UbT0hcNQAVoqeY_cFHJ Fifth TOS Conference]. YouTube playlist of presentations from July 27-29, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada.

== Notes ==
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[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:TS Adyar]]