The United Nations, which officially came into inspiration, she felt that the merely political Advisory rather than existence on October 24, 1945, was built on League could never achieve its purpose. mandatory, it points to universal values of peace, human rights, real support and human dignity and worth, along with justice, Magazine issues of the Theosophist from the commitment on the part good neighbourliness, freedom, respect for early 1900s, show that the Theosophical of the Theosophical nature and shared responsibility. These Society was indeed a leader in sowing seeds Society: reflect the fundamental principles of the of internationalism and world brotherhood on Theosophical Society since its inception in a multitude of fronts. As all members of the 1875. Theosophical Society Mrs. Besant’s successor, George Arundale, desire earnestly to The third purpose of the United Nations: − To was also a staunch supporter of the League establish World Peace as a realization of Universal Brotherhood, the achieve international co-operation in solving of Nations. In Australia, where he served in General Council of the Theosophical Society international problems of an economic, the late 1920s as General Secretary of the recommends all Lodges throughout the world social, cultural or humanitarian character, TS, Mr. Arundale joined the League of to be informed of the work of the United and in promoting and encouraging respect Nations Union and edited an Australia-India Nations. And the Council further suggests that for human rights and for fundamental League Bulletin. During the 1930s he took one meeting each year be devoted to freedoms for all without distinction as to race, up the theme of a plan, launching a describing the work of the United Nations sex, language, or religion − is aligned with campaign entitled “There is a Plan”. He towards ushering in the era of World Peace the Theosophical Society’s first object: To wrote, “Every nation is a word in the world- and Brotherhood. form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood song of Life, a class in the world-school. of humanity, without distinction of race, Every citizen must learn to speak the During the late 1940s, Mr. Jinarajadasa worked tirelessly to obtain TS consultative creed, sex, caste or colour. word and to master the lesson of his 3 class.2” status with the UN. When observer status Several international presidents of the was finally granted, an invitation was received to send representatives to Theosophical Society were staunch George Arundale conferences held by the UN Department of supporters of the served as president Public Information. United Nations and during the difficult

its precursor, the time of the pre-war When N. Sri Ram took League of Nations. and war years. over as international Actively devoted to president in 1953, he Annie Besant, who the cause of peace, carried the torch served as president he set up a Peace forward, writing about from 1907 to 1933, and Reconstruction the United Nations in became one of the Department of the TS several On The Watch- first members of the in 1940 to contribute Tower articles. In the League of Nations to a Charter for World June 1953 issue of The Union in England. In Peace to be ready when the Second World 4 Theosophist he wrote: a series of lectures War came to an end. 1 on The Great Plan , Annie Besant wrote of how the next stage of Those who condemn the United Nations and C. Jinarajadasa took over as international would fain throw it on the scrap-heap, have not the Plan would be the building up of a free president in 1948 and showed great so far offered a practical alternative...... I Commonwealth of Nations. She believed the dynamism regarding the TS and the UN. In feel, therefore, that in spite of every defect, Theosophical Society had a significant role to his first year as president, the following every weakness and short-coming that we play in helping create “the true Spiritual resolution was passed by the General may find in the existing organism, the way of League of All the Nations”. Without spiritual Council of the Theosophical Society (Adyar). practical action is to infuse into it or into the minds of people in regard to it more of the life and spirit that is needed. If the United Nations were to cease to exist this moment, there Theosophists believe that the nations would be a vacuum ready to be occupied by those forces which would much rather operate of the world constitute a single in isolation or through private compacts than humanity in a medium where their motives and actions – a single human community. can at least be criticized, where they have to The United Nations is but the justify themselves in some manner at the bar physical demonstration of our of world opinion. concept of Universal Brotherhood. THE

In May 1957, N. Sri Ram made these Diana Gracey Winslow5 THEOSOPHICAL comments in his column On the Watch- Tower: SOCIETY

The United Nations is an organisation which is The Theosophical Society and the United AND THE obviously meant to develop into a bone-frame Nations, printed in October 2011, is the first in a for a new body of humanity. The whole of series of brochures published by the UNITED NATIONS humanity has to be organized in such a way International TOS UN Committee. that it can function as one body, though divided into different States, and this new A History of Support body has to be upheld by a structure which will express its common will and purpose. Theosophists wishing to see spiritual End Notes The history of TS support spills over to the principles permeate and uplift society work of the Theosophical Order of Service in 1 will be interested to know that The T.S. and the League of Nations by Bhagavan- presidents of the Theosophical Society its worldwide efforts to alleviate suffering and Das – Excerpts from Adyar Pamphlets, 1934 - Nos to promote peace, development and quality 190-91 have actively supported the United of life for all. Nations (and its predecessor, the 2 There is a Plan for the Nations – a booklet printed League of Nations) since its inception. by the Vasanta Press, Adyar, Madras in the 1930s They have always believed in its In keeping with the spirit and intent of the 1948 Resolution, TOS members and groups 3 A Summary of C. Jinarajadasa’s Correspondence potential as a vehicle for spiritual may continue to support the work of the and TS Activity with the United Nations from 1948 forces and global transformation. United Nations. Throughout the year, special to 1949 compiled by Ananya Rajan, April 2011

UN days can be recognized in TOS 4 In this leaflet published by the On the Watch Tower – Selections from the programmes or projects through Theosophical Order of Service, the Theosophist by N. Sri Ram – Theosophical presentations, articles, exhibits and debates. Publishing House, 1966 history of the Theosophical United Nations Day – October 24 – can be Society’s support for the UN is outlined 5 set aside and celebrated with a special A Theosophist Looks at the United Nations and some suggestions made for programme of meditation and readings Organization by Diana Gracey Winslow, Chief practical action in continuing this interspersed with discussion. Practical ideas Brother, the Theosophical Order of Service, USA – support. Since the TS is strictly neutral like these will be described in future from an article featured in the November 1953 issue of in political matters, activities focus on The Theosophist brochures published by the International TOS support for the UN’s aspirations in the UN Committee. realm of world peace, unity and relief of suffering.