Universal Brotherhood: Difference between revisions
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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), ???.</ref> | 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), ???.</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), ???.</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), ???.</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), ???.</ref></blockquote> | <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), ???.</ref></blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 19:41, 23 April 2012
Universal Brotherhood appeared as the first Object of the Theosophical Society in 1881, as follows:
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.[1]
In 1896 the Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Adyar, India, gave the first Object its definitive form which it has today:
1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.
The Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Pasadena, California, mentions the idea of brotherhood in its third object as follows:
3- To form an active brotherhood among men.
Universal brotherhood in the Mahatma letters
The Mahatmas in their letters to A. P. Sinnett stated in several occasions that the Theosophical Society was meant to promote the Universal Brotherhood. For example, 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".[2]
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.[3] In Mahatma K. H.'s view:
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.[4]
It is important to notice the word "universal" along with "brotherhood". The aim of the Theosophical Society is not merely to bring together people of a certain race, creed, caste, etc., but to gather people around a central aim without distinctions. Mahatma K. H. defined it as "an association of 'affinities' of strong magnetic yet dissimilar forces and polarities centred around one dominant idea."[5]
Notes
- ↑ Ransom, J. A Short History of the TS (????1938:545)
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 44 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 2 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 5 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 10 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.
Further reading
- Universal Brotherhood at Theosopedia