White Lotus Day
May 8 is celebrated as White Lotus Day by members of the Theosophical Society (TS). It is the anniversary of the death of Helena P. Blavatsky, one of the founders. The following announcement was published in The Theosophist, May 1892, supplement p. 9:
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] the Bhagavad-Gītā; 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 order and recommendation:
- 1. At noon on May 8, 1892, and on the same day on 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 to 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 (i.e., Lodges) throughout the world to meet annually on the anniversary day, and, in some, 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.
H. S. OLCOTT, P.T.S.
Today, Theosophists the world over observe White Lotus Day as a Day of Remembrance, not only of H. P. Blavatsky but also of all theosophical workers who have passed over in the course of the year.
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