The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Theosophical Society's convention begins

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Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006
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Theosophical Society's convention begins

Staff Reporter

Public lectures till December 30

CHENNAI: The Theosophical Society kicked off its 131st International Convention at its Adyar headquarters on Tuesday, using the occasion to mark the death centenary of its founder-president Henry Steel Olcott.

In the first of a series of public lectures held every evening from December 26 to 30, Society's vice-president John Algeo spoke on "Citizen of the world: Colonel Olcott and human perfection".

Col. Olcott was a journalist, lawyer, agricultural expert and soldier in the 19th century America. With Madame H.P. Blavatsky, he founded the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875. Three years later, the founders moved the Society to India, where Col. Olcott lived till his death in February 1907.

"His world citizenship was not limited to his residence in India and America, the pull of East and West," said Prof. Algeo, describing how Col. Olcott travelled to Britain, France and other European nations as well as Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma and Japan. He also visited South America and New Zealand.

"Champion of

religious rights"

In Sri Lanka, he was a champion of the religious and legal rights of the Sinhalese. His ecumenical vision for Buddhism made him a major figure in the modern Buddhist revival even as he accepted the importance of other religions. "His commitment to universal humanism makes him a model of tolerance and understanding."

This year's theme is taken from "The Golden Stairs," a series of statements on "the metaphorical stairway leading from the outer world of ignorance to the inner world of wisdom," written by Madame Blavatsky. "Colonel Olcott's life was a journey up the Golden Stairs," said Prof. Algeo.

Books exhibition

The Theosophical Publishing House is holding book exhibitions to coincide with the convention. Books by eminent theosophists will be sold at a 33 per cent discount.

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