Theos-Talk Archives (May 2012 Message tt00046)

Col. H. S. Olcott, in his book 'Old Diary Leaves' (Fourth Series, 1887-1892), mentions his Executive Notice of 17th April, 1892, which instituted the day in which members all over the world would remember H. P. Blavatsky and her enduring contribution to the Theosophical Society and to the world.

He wrote:

"In her last Will, H. P. Blavatsky expressed the wish that yearly, on the anniversary of her death, some of her friends `should assemble at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society and read a chapter of 'The Light of Asia' and (extracts from) 'Bhagavad-Gita'; and since it is meet that her surviving colleagues should keep green the memory of her services to humanity and her devoted love for our Society, the undersigned suggests that the anniversary be known among us as White Lotus Day, and makes the following official order and recommendation:

1. At noon, on 8th May, 1892, and on the same day in each succeeding year, there will be held a commemorative meeting at the Headquarters, at which extracts from the before-mentioned works will be read and brief addresses made by the Chairman of the meeting and others who may volunteer.

2. A dole of food will be given in her name to the poor fishermen of Adyar and their families.

3. The flag will be half-masted from sunrise until sunset, and the Convention Hall decorated with White Lotus flowers.

4. Members living outside Madras can arrange for their food by applying to the Recording Secretary at least one week in advance.

5. The undersigned recommends to all Sections and Branches throughout the world to meet annually on the anniversary day, and, in some simple, unsectarian, yet dignified way, avoiding all slavish adulation and empty compliments, express the general feeling of loving regard for her who brought us the chart of the climbing Path which leads to the summits of Knowledge."

'The Theosophist', the international magazine founded by HPB in Bombay, October 1879, recorded in its June 1892 issue, the first celebration of "White Lotus Day" which was held at the Headquarters Hall at Adyar. The meeting was presided by Col. Olcott and it included recitation of some selected passages from the Sanskrit text of the Bhagavad-Gita; readings of the English version of the former recitation from one of the volumes of the Sacred Books of the East, as well as reading from some verses from the Zend Avesta by a Parsi member, Mobed Rustomji. This last reading invoked the blessing of the Fravarshis ? "an ancient Zend word which has the same significance as the English expression "Higher Ego", or spiritual self of man. It is the belief of the Parsees that these great personages who have passed through the limited circle of human existence still take an interest in the progress of mankind, and that their benign influence can be drawn to those who are pure in heart and have spiritual aspirations." The meeting was also addressed by S. E. Gopala Charlu, Recording Secretary of the TS, who spoke on the mystical significance of the white lotus, which is "a flower full of mystical significance and to the nations of Egypt, India and Greece denoted the symbol of cosmic evolution, and the supremacy of spirit over matter. It was significant of Madame Blavatsky's teaching which had the tendency to vindicate the supremacy of the spiritual over the physical man."