Temple of Humanity (Theosophical Organization)

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The Temple of Humanity (TdM) or Temple of the People is a theosophical organization that emerged from the Theosophical Society in America . The headquarters are in Halcyon, California . This place is mainly inhabited by members of the "Temple of Mankind" community and is therefore often equated with it.

history

prehistory

Early 1890s was in Syracuse in the US state of New York , a Lodge of the Theosophical Society founded (TG). In the subsequent split of the TG as a result of the Judge Case in 1895, this lodge followed the direction of William Quan Judges and was henceforth a member of the Theosophical Society in America (TGinA). After a controversial election, Katherine Tingley was elected president of the TGinA in 1898 . Tingley changed the organizational structure and direction of the TGinA, as a result of which there were a number of resignations and splits - one of which concerned the lodge in Syracuse.

founding

Francia A. La Due, a supposedly medically gifted member of the Syracuse Lodge, is said to have received messages from a certain Master Hilarion from the Brotherhood of Masters of Wisdom since the beginning of 1898 . One of these announcements was the order to found a new organization, which should continue the teachings of Helena Blavatsky and William Quan Judge unadulterated. The head of the Syracuse Lodge, William H. Dower, to whom Master Hilarion is said to have also spoken, then resigned from the Theosophical Society in America with most of the members of the Syracuse Lodge and founded the TdM together with La Due in November 1898 . "Guardian in Chief", this designation stood for the head or the president of the new organization, became Francia A. La Due.

development

Economically

On the instructions of the "master", the TdM moved in 1903 to a community-free area called Halcyon, near Arroyo Grande in California. A plot of land with a large building was purchased there and converted into a hotel with an attached sanatorium. La Due, Dower and some “Temple of Mankind” members moved there, and Dower, a doctor by profession, began treating drug and alcohol patients in the sanatorium - this sanatorium existed until 1949. Gradually more people settled in Halcyon, rented land from the Temple Home Association, began to cultivate the land and raise livestock. A general store and a post office were set up, and a few smaller manufacturing companies started operations - in short, a village, a community was created.

Mentally

As early as 1900, a printing press had been set up in Syracuse in order to be able to make the ideals of the “Temple of Humanity” public to a larger audience. This had moved to Halcyon and, in addition to the official publication organ, the magazine “The Temple Artisan”, which is still published today, also produced brochures, leaflets and books. As a result, more and more people became aware of the TdM, the community grew and eventually spread to several countries. Lectures and events took place in the sanatorium, there were ceremonies and devotions, all of which strengthened the feeling of togetherness and internalized the teachings of the “temple”. In 1924 a temple building was opened, which was named “Blue Star Memorial Temple” after Francia A. La Due's nickname “Blue Star”. A library was added later, named "William Quan Judge Library" in honor of William Quan Judge.

today

Today the TdM in Halcyon consists of around 120 people, the land area around 95 acres (around 38 hectares ) and around 30 buildings. There are lodges in Germany, Great Britain , Russia and West Africa . There are around 200 registered members worldwide. The current Guardian in Chief is Eleanor L. Shumway.

Chronological overview of the ladder

Guardian in Chief (President) were by:

  • 1898–1922: Francia A. La Due (1849–1922)
  • 1922–1937: William H. Dower (1866–1937)
  • 1937-1968: Pearl F. Dower
  • 1968–1990: Harold E. Forgostein
  • since 1990: Eleanor L. Shumway

Teaching

The TdM sees itself as a non-denominational religious community that holds regular meditations and services for members and interested parties. The TdM wants to prepare humanity for the coming of a new Christ or Avatar . The doctrines of theosophy form the basis of the “Temple of Humanity”, with particular reference to the work of Helena Blavatsky and, secondly, William Quan Judges. The changes or developments in the theosophical teaching by the Theosophical Society Adyar on the one hand and the Theosophical Society in America, today known as Theosophical Society Pasadena , on the other hand, are rejected. Influences or similarities with the " I AM Foundation " also seem to exist.

literature

  • Peter Scheutzow: Introduction to Scientific Theosophy. Temple of the People-German Section, Berlin 1985.
  • The Temple of Humanity - German Section (ed.): The Coming Avatar - Master Messages about the Coming of a World Savior. Self-published, 2nd edition Berlin (no year).

Web links

Coordinates: 35 ° 6 ′ 11 ″  N , 120 ° 35 ′ 40 ″  W.