Argentina, Theosophy in
The last decade of the eighteenth century saw the appearance of a group of people, bred in the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. Known as the generation of the 90s, they greatly influenced the political and economic organization of the Latin American nations. But, above all, they laid the foundations of an inter-American culture and thought. Especially in Argentina they set an example of moral conduct in public office, which was an inspiration for following generations.
In that environment, the first Theosophical Lodge Luz (“Light”) was founded in Buenos Aires on January 7, 1893. Its first president was Antonia Martinez Royo; and the house where it was established continued almost unchanged up to 1953. Meetings took place on Sunday afternoons, and the main feature was that most of the members were well-known public persons: deputies, senators, writers, scientists, and teachers, among them Federico W. Fernandez, Alejandro Sorondo, Leopoldo Lugones, Alfredo B. Palacios, Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Jose Ingenieros, and Rodolfo Moreno, names that can be found nowadays in any book concerning Argentine history. Argentina has been the center of the Theosophical movement in South America. After the establishment of Lodge Luz in Buenos Aires, other Lodges were formed in neighboring countries: Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil. As there were three Lodges working in Buenos Aires when H. S. OLCOTT visited that city in 1901, he suggested the foundation of a South American Section, appointing Luis Scheiner as his correspondent, but this did not take place until 1930.
On July 6, 1919, representatives from eight Argentine Lodges, one from Uruguay, and one from Paraguay, for a total of 264 members, formed the Argentine Section of the Theosophical Society. Several magazines were published. The first General Secretary was Federico Valles Vargas, and the following General Secretaries succeeded him: Mario Martinez de Arroyo, Alfredo Escardo, Annie Mannie Gowland, Adrian Madril, Arturo Montesano Delchi, Carlos Stoppel, Honorio Folquer, Raul Wyngard, Jose Maria Olivares, Mariano Calvo, Enrique Gossweiler, Nazareno Rimini, Andrea Ponde, Luis Spairani, Manuel Farinish, Juan Vinas, Juan Cassibba, Juan Carlos Palmeri, Nora Spairani, Silvia Blajer, Jorge Cesano, Silvia Liliana Pastore, and Jorge García.
Argentine journals have been as follows: During the pre-sectional period: 1895, Luz Astral; 1898, Philadelphia; 1905, La Verdad; 1912, La Estrella de Occidente; 1913, La Cruz del Sur; and 1917, Ondas Buddhicas. Later: 1919, Teosofia en el Plata; 1944, Revista Teosofica Argentina; 1958, Teosofia; 1972, America Teosofica; 1981, Informativo Teosofico; 1990, Cambios; 1993 onwards, Teosofía en Argentina. Since 1947, the translation into Spanish of the THEOSOPHIST has been undertaken and published regularly and distributed to all the Spanish-speaking countries.
In 1954 there were 65 Lodges, 98 groups, and 1531 members. A characteristic of this period was the formation of many Lodges that lasted only for a short time. In 1992 there were 500 members, working in 28 Lodges in Argentina and one Lodge in Paraguay. The premises in the following cities belong to the Section: Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba, Mendoza, San Rafael, Carlos Paz, Mar del Plata, Rio Cuarto, San Lorenzo, and La Plata. The General Secretary and the national council are, at present, in Rosario. The national journal, Teosofia en Argentina, is published quarterly. It is sent to members, public libraries, schools, universities, etc. An important activity is carried on by the Department of Information, in the city of Rosario, which prepares slides, audio-visuals, and videos for rent and distribution among Lodges and for the public. Workshops and training courses are often held all over the country to train members on group work, speech, study techniques, and research. In 1985 the Theosophical Society took part in an educational congress organized by the Argentine national government, with the presentation of a project on education based on Theosophical principles.
An outstanding event in the activities of this Section since 1990 has been its participation in an International Book Fair, held in Buenos Aires every year. About a million people visit this Fair and it is a good opportunity to sell books, distribute leaflets, and give information about activities in the various centers. Lately, similar activities have been started in inland towns. A summer school is held for a fortnight every year, and a winter school for a week. National gatherings are held throughout the country all year long. Radio programs have been broadcast for the last ten years in several cities. Buenos Aires presents an hour-long program once a week, on a specialized station.
The Argentine Printing Press was founded in 1953, and dozens of Theosophical books have been printed in Spanish and distributed to Spanish-speaking countries. Books are sent not only to the Sections but also to public bookshops. The Argentine Section is building, little by little, a camp — Colonia Teosofica — in San Rafael, province of Mendoza, a region near the imposing mountain range of the Andes. The design for this camp includes a five-wing star-shaped building to be used for dormitories, dining room, lecture room, and library. At present, four wings have been built and summer and winter schools are held there, with the presence of members from the provinces and also from neighboring countries, such as Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile.
Young people have taken an active part in the Argentine Section from an early time. In 1962, they formed an Argentine Federation and in 1973 an inter-American Federation, which was active for several years. The main characteristic of this movement is that it has not been apart from Sectional activities but participated actively in everything carried on by the national officers. At present, several youth groups are working in the country and holding summer and winter camps. An Argentine ROUND TABLE was founded in 1905 and is still working in several cities. The THEOSOPHICAL ORDER OF SERVICE has also been working for a long time. In 1990 it was revitalized thanks to the appointment of a new director and the implementation of new activities. It is very active in Buenos Aires.
The South American Federation, which worked between 1930 and 1962, held its first congress in Argentina in April 1930.The idea of a federation that could include the whole of the American continent was always cherished by Argentine members. Juan Vinas, a well-known lecturer, started traveling through various countries in order to strengthen the links between them. Finally, when the Inter-American Federation was formed in 1972, Luis Spairani, from Argentina, was elected as its first president. He gave the Federation a strong impulse that set the direction of its work in the years to come.
An outstanding event hosted by the Lodges in Buenos Aires in 2012 was a meeting among the several organizations that study Theosophy in this city. It was a new approach to these groups that will surely lead to a better understanding and cooperation among all of them. The general theme was universal BROTHERHOOD, which proved very successful. Publications from six different groups committed to the spreading of Theosophy were available on stands. Artistic activities were also carried on, and there are plans for future events of the same kind in the making. It is a wonderful example of the spirit of our first Object put into practice!
Nora Spairani
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