Halcyon, California

The Temples of Humankind ( TdM ) or Temple of the People is a theosophical organization which emerged from the Theosophical Society in America. The headquarters is located in Halcyon, California. This place is mainly inhabited by members of the " temple - of - humanity " community and therefore often equated with it.

History

Prehistory

Early 1890s was in Syracuse in the U.S. state of New York established a Lodge of the Theosophical Society (TG ). In the following splitting of the TG as a result of Judge Case in 1895, this lodge the direction of William Quan Judge followed and was henceforth a member of the Theosophical Society in America ( TGinA ). After a disputed election Katherine Tingley in 1898 elected President of TGinA. Tingley changed the organizational structure and the orientation of the TGinA, after which there was a series of resignations and spin-offs - one of which concerned the lodge in Syracuse.

Foundation

Francia A. La Due, an ostensibly medial talented member of Syracuse Lodge is said to have received messages since the beginning of 1898 by a certain Master Hilarion of the Brotherhood of the Masters of Wisdom. One of these announcements was the task of establishing a new organization, which was to continue the teachings of Helena Blavatsky and William Quan Judge unadulterated. The head of Syracuse Lodge, William H. Dower, should have to the allegedly Master Hilarion also spoke, then joined with most members of the Syracuse Lodge of the Theosophical Society of America and co-founded La Due in November 1898 TdM. " Guardian in Chief", this designation was for the head or the president of the new organization, Francia A. La Due was.

Development

Economically

At the direction of the "Master " moved the TdM 1903 on a community free area with the name Halcyon, near Arroyo Grande, California. There, land was acquired at a large building and converted into a hotel with attached sanatorium. La Due, Dower and some " temple - of - humanity " members moved their residence there, and Dower, a doctor by profession, began in the sanatorium with the treatment of, among others, drug and alcohol addiction - this sanatorium existed until 1949 by little. more people settled in at Halcyon, rented land from the " Temple Home Association," began to till the soil and to breed livestock. A general store and a post office were established, and a number of smaller production companies started their activities - in short, it was a village, a community.

Mentally

In 1900 was still in Syracuse a printing company created in order to make the ideals of the "Temple of Humanity" to a wider audience can publicize. This was moved to Halcyon and placed next to the official organ of publication, the magazine "The Temple Artisan ", which is still published today, also brochures, leaflets and books here. Thus more and more people became aware of the TdM, the community grew and eventually spread to several countries. In the hospital, lectures and events took place, there were ceremonies and devotions, all strengthened the feeling of togetherness and internalized the lessons of the "Temple ". 1924 Temple building was opened, which was named " Blue Star Memorial Temple " by Francia A. La Dues nickname " Blue Star ". Later was added in a library in honor of William Quan Judge then " William Quan Judge Library" called.

Today

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

Chronological overview of the ladder

Guardian in Chief ( President ) were from:

Teaching

The TdM sees itself as a non-denominational religious community, which holds regular meditation and worship for members and interested parties. The TdM want to prepare mankind for the coming of Christ, or a new avatar. The teachings of Theosophy are the basis of the "Temple of Humanity", while reference is made in particular to the work of Helena Blavatsky and, secondarily, William Quan Judge. The changes or developments in the theosophical doctrine, by the Theosophical Society Adyar on the one hand and the Theosophical Society in America, now under Theosophical Society Pasadena known, on the other hand will be rejected. Influences or similarities with the "I AM Foundation " also seem to be given.