Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in New York City on November 17, 1875, by a committee of people including Russian noblewoman Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, American Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, attorney W. Q. Judge, and other individuals interested in the philosophy expounded by Madame Blavatsky.

In her Theosophical Glossary, H. P. Blavatsky wrote:

Theosophical Society, or “Universal Brotherhood”. Founded in 1875 at New York, by Colonel H. S. Olcott and H. P. Blavatsky, helped by W. Q. Judge and several others. Its avowed object was at first the scientific investigation of psychic or so-called “spiritualistic” phenomena, after which its three chief objects were declared, namely (1) Brotherhood of man, without distinction of race, colour, religion, or social position; (2) the serious study of the ancient world-religions for purposes of comparison and the selection therefrom of universal ethics; (3) the study and development of the latent divine powers in man. At the present moment it has over 250 Branches scattered all over the world, most of which are in India, where also its chief Headquarters are established. It is composed of several large Sections—the Indian, the American, the Australian, and the European Sections.

Choice of the name

According to Col. Olcott, the choice of the name of the newly formed Society was subject of discussion in the committee, and several options were suggested, such as the Egyptological, the Hermetic, the Rosicrucian, etc. However, none of them seemed the right one. ‘At last,’ he recalls ‘in turning over the leaves of the Dictionary, one of us came across the word “Theosophy,” whereupon, after discussion, we unanimously agreed that that was the best of all.’ Olcott explained this name was appropriate because it expressed ‘the esoteric truth we wished to reach’ and covered the ground of ‘methods of occult scientific research.’ It does not seem likely that the name for the Society was chosen merely out of a dictionary search, since Madame Blavatsky had already connected her knowledge with the term theosophy a few months before, in a letter to Hiram Corson:

My belief is based on something older than the Rochester knockings [that began the Spiritualistic movement in 1848], and springs out from the same source of information that was used by Raymond Lully, Picus della Mirandola, Cornelius Agrippa, Robert Fludd, Henry More, et cetera, etc., all of whom have ever been searching for a system that should disclose to them the "deepest depths" of the Divine nature, and show them the real tie which binds all things together. I found at last, and many years ago, the cravings of my mind satisfied by this theosophy taught by the Angels and communicated by them that the protoplast might know it for the aid of the human destiny.

Theosophical Societies in the world

Below are listed, in alphabetical order, the different organizations using the name "Theosophical Society". For information about other Theosophical organizations see article on the Theosophical Movement.

The Theosophical Society (Adyar)

The Theosophical Society (Pasadena)

The Theosophical Society (Point Loma-The Hague)

Development of the Society's objects

In 1875 there was a single statement of the Objects:

The objects of the Society are to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which govern the universe.

In 1878 there were six unnumbered objects:

The objects of the Society are various. It influences its fellows to acquire an intimate knowledge of natural law, especially its occult manifestations. As the highest development, physically and spiritually, on earth, of the Creative Cause, man should aim to solve the mystery of his being. He is the procreator of his species, physically, and having inherited the nature of the unknown but palpable Cause of his own creation, must possess in his inner, psychical self, this creative power in lesser degree. He should, therefore, study to develop his latent powers, and inform himself respecting the laws of magnetism, electricity and all other forms of force, whether of the seen or unseen universes. The Society teaches and expects its fellows to personally exemplify the highest morality and religious aspiration; to oppose the materialism of science and every form of dogmatic theology, especially the Christian, which the Chiefs of the Society regard as particularly pernicious; to make known among Western nations the long-suppressed facts about Oriental religious philosophies, their ethics, chronology, esoterism, symbolism; to counteract, as far as possible, the efforts of missionaries to delude the so-called "Heathen" and "Pagans" as to the real origin and dogmas of Christianity and the practical effects of the latter upon public and private character in so-called civilized countries; to disseminate a knowledge of the sublime teachings of that pure esoteric system of the archaic period, which are mirrored in the oldest Vedas, and in the philosophy of Gautama Buddha, Zoroaster and Confucius; finally, and chiefly, to aid in the institution of a Brotherhood of Humanity, wherein all good and pure men, of every race, shall recognize each other as the equal effects (upon this planet) of one Uncreate, Universal, Infinite, and Everlasting Cause.

On December 17, 1879, at the palace of H. H. the Maharajah of Vizianagram, Benares, the General Council of the Society revised the By-laws, the objects being drafted as follows:

a) To keep alive in man his spiritual intuitions.

b) To oppose and counteract--after due investigation and proof of its irrational nature--bigotry in every form, whether as an intolerant religious sectarianism or belief in miracles or anything supernatural.

c) To promote a feeling of brotherhood among nations; and assist in the international exchange of useful arts and products, by advice, information, and co-operation with all worthy individuals and associations; provided, however, that no benefit or percentage shall be taken by the Society for its corporate services.

d) To seek to obtain knowledge of all the laws of Nature, and aid in diffusing it, thus to encourage the study of those laws least understood by modern people, and so termed the Occult Sciences. Popular superstition and folk-lore, however fantastical, when sifted may lead to the discovery of long lost but important secrets of Nature. The Society, therefore, aims to pursue this line of inquiry in the hope to widen the field of scientific and philosophical observation.

e) To gather for the Society's library and put into written form correct information upon the various ancient philosophies, traditions, and legends, and, as the Council shall decide it permissible, disseminate the same in such practicable ways as the translation and publication of original works of value, and extracts from and commentaries upon the same, or the oral instructions of persons learned in their respective departments.

f) To promote in every practicable way, in countries where needed, the spread of non-sectarian Western education.

g) Finally, and chiefly, to encourage and assist individual Fellows in self-improvement, intellectual, moral, and spiritual. But no Fellow shall put to his selfish use any knowledge communicated to him by any member of the First Section; violation of this rule being punished by expulsion. And, before any such knowledge can be imparted, the person shall bind himself by a solemn oath not to use it to selfish purposes, nor to reveal it, except with the permission of the teacher.

The General Council met again in February, 1881, and again revamped the Rules of the Society, this time the seven "plans" being condensed into four:

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.

Second — To study Aryan literature, religion and science, which the Founders believe to contain certain valuable truths and philosophical views, of which the Western world knows nothing.

Third — To vindicate the importance of this inquiry and correct misrepresentations with which it has been clouded.

Fourth — To explore the hidden mysteries of Nature, and the latent powers of Man, on which the Founders believe that Oriental Philosophy is in a position to throw light.

In 1886 we get to a version closer to the final form of the Objects:

1. To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed or colour.

2. To promote the study of Aryan and other Eastern literatures, religions and sciences.

3. A third object, pursued by a portion of the members of the Society, is to investigate unexplained laws of nature and the psychical powers of man

In 1894 the Objects read:

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

2. To promote the study of Aryan and other Eastern literatures, religions, philosophies and sciences, and to demonstrate the importance of that study.

3. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the psychic powers latent in man.

After the split of most of the American Section following W. Q. Judge, the Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Adyar, India, gave in 1896 the definitive form to the Objects as follow:

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

2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.

3. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

The Theosophical Society with International Headquarters in Pasadena, California has the following Objectives, as stated in its constitution:

1- To diffuse among men a knowledge of the laws inherent in the universe;

2- To promulgate the knowledge of the essential unity of all that is, and to demonstrate that this unity is fundamental in nature;

3- To form an active brotherhood among men;

4- To study ancient and modern religion, science, and philosophy;

5- To investigate the powers innate in man.