Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society is an international organization founded in New York City in 1875 with the aim of promoting spiritual unity and understanding across religions, philosophies, and sciences, which has had significant interactions with the Bahá’í Faith.

This article provides a sampling of the interactions between the Bahá'í Faith and the Theosophical Society. The events are organized by country and by date within country. It is by no means a comprehensive list.

Argentina

Martha Louise Root (1872-1939)

On September 20, 1919, Martha Root arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a two week stay. A chambermaid assisted her in making an appointment with Dr. Frederico de Valles Vargas, General Secretary of the Theosophical Society of Argentina. When she met him the next day, neither he nor his wife had heard of the Bahá'í movement, but were impressed with what they heard. They made arrangements for her to address the Theosophists in Spanish with an interpreter. Then on Thursday evening, Dr. and Mrs. Vargas gave a dinner for Miss Root and later at a Theosophical meeting in their home, they read aloud the Bahai principles in Spanish. Also the Theosophical Magazine published an article with photographs which was distributed throughout South America. She also met the President of the Theosophical Society in Mendoza.

Australia

In late 1949 a Bahá'í group was established in Toowoomba, Queensland with four members with Florence Symonds serving as Secretary. The Theosophists of the city had a favorable response to the Faith and allowed the Bahá'í group to use their room to hold meetings.

Austria

On April 19, 1913, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in Vienna, Austria. While there he stayed at the Grand Hotel. He visited the Turkish Ambassador in Viena and spoke at a meeting of the Theosophist of Viena. He also met with the Persian Minister.

Brazil

On September 11th, 1919 in Santos, Brazil, Martha Root was invited to address the Theosophist after they read a newspaper article. Because she was leaving the next day, she was unable to make the address, but she met the next morning with three representatives of the Theosophical Society, Mr. Guido Gnocchi the president and two others. Mr. Gnocchi had read articles about Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá and wished to write about them in different newspapers throughout Brazil. Marth provided a couple of books and some pamphlets to aid him. As she was going to the ship, Mr. Gnocchi introduced

Burma

In 1937 in Rangoon Burma, Martha Root gave two addresses to the Theosophical Society. She was introduced at those talks by Mr. D. A. Anklesaria, a lawyer and writer. He mentioned in his introduction that he had first learned of the Bahá'í Faith in a book on religion some 25 years earlier. He also mentioned that he had heard the discourses of several Bahá'ís. Martha Root spoke on the similarity of the beliefs and goals of the Bahá'í Faith and the Theosophical Society.

Canada

On October 31, 1920 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Jenabe Fazel gave a talk at the Royal Templer Hall under the auspices of the Theosophical Society on "evidences of life after death." Written questions were answered after the talk.

On November 1, 1920 in London, Ontario, Canada, Jenabe Fazel gave a talk in the Hall of the Theosophical Society to 200 souls on the "New Vision of Immortality".

F. St. George Spendlove (1897-1962)

In 1942, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada was invited to send a speaker to the Tenth Annual Theosophical Fraternization Convention. On May 31, F. St. George Spendlove gave a talk in Roof Garden of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada to a group of Theosophists, Buddhists, and Bahá'í.

Chile

Martha Root was scheduled to visit Santiago when she visited Chile in 1920, but a storm delayed her train and prevented her from making her visit. To compensate, Dr. Frederico de Valles Vargas, the general secretary of the Theosophical Societies of Argentina, promised to tell the Theosophists of Santiago about the Bahá’í Faith on her behalf.

Costa Rica

Gayle Woolson (1913-2011)

In 1940, Mrs. Gayle Woolson and Mrs. Amalia Ford visited San Jose, Costa Rica. There they met Senorita Esther Mezerville, a former director of the Girls’ College and a member of the Theosophical Society. The president of the Theosophical Society invited them to their hall where Mrs. Ford presented the Bahá'í Faith. Within a month they had established a class with a few students, all of which were members of the Theosophical Society. Later the Theosophical group of the province of Alajuela invited the Bahá’ís to present the Teachings at one of their gatherings. Thirteen Bahá’ís and friends from San Jose attended the meeting. The group was received with enthusiasm. Books and pamphlets were left for the attendees. As Gayle Woolson was leaving four years after her arrival, she attended one last meeting of the Theosophical Society where Senorita Esther Mezerville gave a presentation on the Bahá'í Faith.

England

On September 14, 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in London. He encouraged the members of the Theosophical Society to promote the oneness of humanity with love and unity.

Annie Besant (1847-1933) circa 1897

On September 30, 1911, at the express request of their president Mrs. Annie Besant, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave an address at the new headquarters of the Theosophical Society on the distinctive aspects of the Bahá'í Faith and warmly commended the Theosophical Society for their search for truth.

On December 14 and 15, 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed at the Adelphi Hotel (now the Britannia Adelphi hotel) in Liverpool. The first evening he gave a talk to the Theosophical Society on December 14, 1912. The president of the Theosophical Society, Mrs. Armour introduced 'Abdu'l-Bahá by saying he needed no introduction and immediately turned the meeting over to him. 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke on the three natures of man: animal, human, and spiritual.

France

On February 13, 1913, in Paris, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave an address to the Theosophical Society of Paris on the oneness of the world of humanity and the invention of Esperanto.

Hungary

Professor Robert Nadler (1858-1938) self portrait 1900

In April 1913, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spent 9 days in Budapest ate the Dunapalota Hotel. His visitors included Professor Robert A. Nadler, the famous Budapest painter and leader of the Hungarian Theosophical Society. While in Budapest, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave two lectures in Persian, one under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, the Esperantists and the feminist organizations, in the Hall of the old Parliament.

Shoghi Effendi wrote a letter dated October 4, 1950 and referenced a talk by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Budapest to the Theosophists. This was possibly his talk on April 11, 1913. In that letter he stated: "Many Theosophists accept Bahá'u'lláh as a Prophet, but we have no special relation to theosophy. It would seem that the Master had some special reason for not mentioning Bahá'u'lláh specifically in His talk to the Theosophists in Budapest. What it was we do not know, but we can assume His great tact and wisdom impelled Him not to on that occasion."

Iceland

From July 12 to August 8, 1935, Martha Root was in Iceland. She noted that the Theosophists of Iceland had one of the most beautiful Theosophical buildings in Europe. The Secretary of the Theosophical Society of Iceland attended a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and invited Martha to meet a few friends in her home the next week and would later acted as interpreter for a lecture on "Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings of Immortality" in their hall.

India

Mr. Naraynrao Ranganth Vakil (1866-1943), first Indian Hindu to become a Bahá'í in 1909

On January 10, 1920 in Benares (now Varanasi), India on the Ganges river, Mr. Narayanrao Rangneth Seth Vakil lecture to the Theosophical Society. Mr. Vakil spoke highly of the meetings and indicated that the audience showed much interest.

In late February, 1920 in Karauchi, India, Mr. Vakil gave to lectures in the Theosophical Hall, one on "The Bahai Movement" and the second on "The World Teacher."

On December 27, 1937 in Adyar, Madras, India, Martha Root attended the International Theosophical Conference. On a wall panel in the lecture hall devoted to great spiritual leaders was the Greatest Name with Bahá'u'lláh written above it.

On October 27, 1938 in Agra, India, Martha Root was invited to the home of Professor Shayama Charan, the president of the Theosophical Society of Agra, for a tea to meet his family and several professors and theosophists. After which they all went to her lecture at the Agra College.

On November 6, 1938 in Allahabad, India, Martha Root spoke to the Theosophical Society in Besant Hall. The audience was composed of professors and students of the University. On November 7th, she spoke at the large Theosophical Hall on the subject "The Bahá'í Faith--Its International Fellowship."

On November 13, 1938 in Benares, India, Martha Root gave a lecture in the Theosophical Society Hall there. On the morning of November 14, she gave a talk to the young men of the Theosophical National Boys' College.

On November 17, 1938 in Calcutta, India, Martha Root spoke on "The Bahá'í Faith and Theosophy" at the Theosophical Hall. On November 22, Marth spoke to the Theosophical Society of Calcutta. Professor Tulsi Das Khar, Honorary Secretary of the Bengal Federation of the Theosophical Societies stated that The Theosophical Movement is a part of the Bahá’í Movement; they must advance together to the same goal, and can be helpful one to the other.

Italy

In 1918 Edith Burr pioneered to Florence, Italy where she actively taught at groups such as the Theosophists and the Philosophical Society in Florence and proclaimed the religion to prominent individuals.

Netherlands

In 1932, Louise Drake-Wright moved to Amsterdam for a few months to teach the Faith at the request of Shoghi Effendi and she returned to the Netherlands in 1933 to teach in Amsterdam and the Hague, and again in 1934 to teach in the Hague. She primarily taught the Faith to women's and peace groups, Quakers, Theosophists, Esperantists, and prominent women.

Pakistan

On July 13, 1914, M. R. Shurazi gave a talk on his recent visit with 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the Lodge of the Karachi Theosophical Society.

Scotland

On January 7, 1913 in Edinburgh, Scotland, 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke to a crowd of several hundred Theosophists on promoting brotherhood, Eastern philosophies and the search for spiritual and psychic truths.

David Graham Pole (1877-1952)

On February 27, 1913, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to David Graham Pole, the Secretary General of the Theosophical Society of Scotland. The letter was in response to a letter from Graham Pole concerning the conversion of one of the society's members. 'Abdu'l-Bahá stated: "that illumined lady soared toward the Kingdom of the Merciful. Alas! that such a light which was shining in your Society has become extinguished, but it has become radiant in the Lamp of the Kingdom. She has obtained the Eternal Light. Therefore be ye not Sad!"

South Africa

Miss Fanny Knobloch (1859-1949)

In 1920 in Capetown, South Africa, Miss Fanny Knobloch gave a public address under the auspices of the Theosophical Society.

United States

In about 1908, Mrs. Georgia Ralston in her search for the truth studied Christian Science, then other religious philosophies, finally becoming involved in Theosophy. In 1910, she had determined to study at Point Loma, the International Headquarters of the Theosophical Society, near San Diego. As she was preparing to leave San Francisco, she made one last request: "Oh God, if it is possible tell me the Truth. Lead me into the Truth." Then through a chance meeting with a stranger, she made contact with an acquaintance, Mrs. Cooper who was holding meetings in Oakland. She read some books she had been given and contacted Mrs. Getsinger at the Bellevue Hotel in San Francisco, as she and Mr. Thornton Chase are lecturing there. She was soon enrolled in the Faith.

Thornton Chase (1847-1912) circa 1900

In early April 1911 Thornton Chase spent several days in Denver. Thornton attended three meetings of the Theosophists. Professor Greenwood had shown deep interested in the Faith and gave a talk to the Theosophists that Thornton Chase attended. Thornton had high praise for his talk. Thornton thought that as many as 25 Theosophists might actually join the Faith.

On April 25, 1912 in Washington, D. C., 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk on the spirit of the vegetable, animal, human, and divine spirts to the Theosophical Society at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons (1700 Eighteenth Street, NW).

On April 26, 1912 in Washington, D. C., a large delegation from the Theosophical Societies of Washington called on 'Abdu'l-Bahá to officially pay their respects.

On May 4, 1912 in Evanston, Illinois, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk to the Theosophical Society at Northwestern University Hall on the reality of life and the impossibility of death for the spirit of man.

On May 30, 1912 in New York City at the Theosophical Lodge at Broadway and Seventy-ninth Street, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk about working to advance humanity toward the Most Great Peace.

On July 24, 1912 in Boston, Massachusetts in the Kensington at extra and Boylston Streets, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk to the Theosophical Society on divine philosophy.

On September 14, 1912 in Chicago, Illinois, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke to the Theosophical Society on the three realities of man. Here is a brief excerpt from his speech.

On December 4, 1912 at 2228 Broadway, New York City, 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke to the Theosophical Society about the infinity of Divinity or God and his creation and that he is continually providing guidance to mankind.

In October 1921 in Austin, Texas, Martha Root spoke for an hour on the Bahá'í principles to a union meeting of the Theosophical Societies of Austin. The attendees wanted to hear more and arranged a Forum talk for that evening. After that talk, she spent another half hour answering questions.

Miscellaneous

Jan Teofil Jasion published a list of Bábí and Bahá'í references in the Theosophical publications in January 2017. The list is incomplete because a number of Theosophical Society publications were not included.