Programme for June 2018

PROGRAMME FOR JUNE 2018
BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007

    Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY-------------	TIME------------	DETAILS---------------------------------------------------
Fri       1	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun     3	10.00 am   11.30 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja Blavtasky Lodge Sunday Meeting – Sis. Gulbanu Merchant will share English & Gujarati Poems written by her
Fri       8	6.00 pm    6.15 pm	Mystic Star Ritual Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in Lobby)
Fri     15	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Fri     22	4.30 pm   6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun   24	10.45 pm	Maitreya Round Table
Fri     29	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Tues 5, 12,  19, 26	5.45 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’

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THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL BULLETIN

JUNE 2018

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

 THE BOMBAY THEOSOPHICAL FEDERATION

CONTENTS

Quote Swami Chinmayananda	Cover
News & Notes	2 - 4
TOS AND THEOSOPHICAL SAFARI TO TANZANIA - talk by Sis Deepa Kapur	5 -10
BTF& Lodge Programmes June 2018	11 - 12

                        NEWS & NOTES

WESAK PURNIMA CELEBRATION AT BLAVATSKY LODGE on 30th April 2018 evening (around the time of Full Moon): In Green Room a table near Lord Buddha’s statue was prepared by Sis. Kashmira Khambatta & Sis. Navaz Dhalla. Below the table there was a beautiful Rangoli of Lord Buddha sitting under the Boddhi Tree done by Sis. Kashmira Khambatta. The meeting was opened with all reciting the Buddhist Prayer. Sis. Aban Patel speaking on the occasion explained how Lord Buddha became the First Flower of Humanity starting with His sacrifice of being born as a human over the lives till He as Prince Gautama became Lord Buddha. She described the Ceremony taking place in Wesak Valley with  Sis Kahmira Khambatta’s beautiful PPP, which had diagrams of Wesak Valley, Formations taking place by the Adepts and Initiates, the Rod of Power and Lord Buddha appearing with His splendid Aura having spheres of beautiful colours. Brethren recited ‘The Greatest Blessing’. The Meeting ended with recitation of The Universal Prayer and partaking of water from a bowl kept on the ceremony table.

Please Note: White Lotus Day Meeting of 8th May 2018 will be covered in next Bulletin of July 2018.

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 Editor – Bro. Rustom R. Dalal     Cover Page By: Sis.  Kashmira Khambatta Editorial Committee – Sis. Mahazaver Dalal (Reporter & in charge of Mailing List), Sis.  Kashmira Khambatta, Sis. Aban Patel and Ex-Officio: President Bro. Vinayak Pandya.  Note: News, Notes and Programmes to be printed in the Bulletin, be forwarded by e-mail to: rrpdalal@hotmail.com or kashmirakhambatta@yahoo.com latest by 16th each month.

BLAVATSKY LODGE SUNDAY MEETING of 6th May 2018 (First Part) to fondly remember Blavatsky Lodge Attendant LATE GANPAT JADHAV: ‘He was more than a man. He was brought to us by Masters. His was selfless service’ said Bro. Keki Plakhiwalla. ‘More than members, it was Ganpat’s Karma with the Lodge’ felt Sis. Meherangiz Baria. ’He was true Theosophist’ observed Sis. Jasmine Cawasji. BTF President Bro. Vinayak Pandya said, ‘He was an advanced soul. Even at International Conventions at Adyar people inquired about him. Bro. C.V.K. Maithreya of Chennai & Bro. Amubhai Raval of USA had sent donations for him.  When he was there, BTF Annual Session Chief Guests used to stay at the Lodge.’ Other Brethren who fondly remembered Ganpat for his devotion, dedication & commitment to Blavatsky Lodge and Theosophical Activities in Bombay over 50 years were Sis. Kashmira Khambatta, Sis Keta Mody, Sis. Zeena Rastomji, Sis. Manjula Kanabar, Sis. Mahazaver Dalal and Sis. Shehernaz Vatchha. Brethren missed his smiling face and warm welcome as one would climb Blavatsky Lodge steps. He used to care for members and would inquire when they were not well.  To Neighbors and Sis. Tushna’s students, Blavatsky Lodge was the place where Ganpat was. He knew preparations for all TS & Allied Activities and kept things ready. Sis. Manjula said before carpet for the Mystic Star Ritual was made Ganpat used to draw the Mystic Star for the Ritual. A great care taker one had to convince him that Lodge articles would be used with care. He even told members not to be careless with their things. He took care of the needs of Prathna Sabha and even outsiders’ programmes like Zonta Competition. Brethren were sorry that Ganpat on his death-bed was keen to meet Members, but before they could visit him, he passed away. His son Prakash was emotional and could only say that his father had joined Blavatsky Lodge in 1965. Sis. Ketayun Irani said, ‘I feel he is here’. Brethren observed silence as Bro. Berthram Redwood recited a special prayer for Ganpat.

BLAVATSKY LODGE SUNDAY MEETING of 6th May 2018 (Second Part) with Talk by BRO. BERTHRAM REDWOOD on ‘GNOSTIC WISDOM’: Bro. Berthram Redwood said that the Esoteric Knowledge comes out of Repository of Philosophical Knowledge. A Repository of Gnostic Knowledge was once retrieved from a buried pot. The era when consciousness of humanity was tired of wars and infighting, Roman Catholic Church was formed for ‘Peace All Around’ and Evolution.  H. P. Blavatsky has given Spiritual Alchemy in her book ‘The Isis Unveiled’. She has given new outlook to humanity on issues like Vegetarianism, Reincarnation, Respect for Women, Compassion for all Beings, etc. Bro. Berthram added that Knowledge is to be used to get Wisdom. Learning from experiences will give understanding, which will help to go beyond Mental Intelligence. The Great Intelligence will guide the Aspirant. Follow the Laws of Nature and with Good Will, Understanding & Love become good human beings. Gnostic Teachings lead one to Brotherhood.

OBITUARY: Bro. Rusi Toddywalla, Blavatsky Lodge Life Member, a stalwart and dedicated Theosophist over 60 years, passed away to Light Eternal on 5th May 2018. He was a dynamic President of Blavatsky Lodge and Bombay Theosophical Federation. He was the Key Organizer of BTF Golden Jubilee, Centenary of TS International by Blavatsky Lodge and Centenary of Blavatsky Lodge & TS in India. He was a pillar of Theosophical Order of Service, Mumbai Region, for which even at the advanced age he worked for 8 to 10 hours a day. He had the honour of being the Chief Knight of India and graced the Maitreya Round Table Meetings till last year to inspire youth to live up to the ideals of Order of Round Table. Till his last he was the Convener for Great Bro. Jamshed Mehta’s Birth Anniversary Meetings. At TOS Colloquiums he was a Role Model for all. A meeting to Commemorate Passing Away of Dear Late Bro. Rusi Toddywalla will be held on Sunday 27th May 2018 at 11.30 a.m. at Blavatsky Lodge.

TOS & THEOSOPHICAL SAFARI TO TANZANIA

Extracts from Sis. Deepa Kapoor’s talk

at Blavatsky Lodge Sunday Meeting of 1st April 2018

Dedicated to Late Bro. Rusi Toddywalla

“JamboRafiki” - that is ‘Hello Dear Friends’ in Kiswahili, the native language of the land I grew up in. Let me invite you to a Theosophical and TOS safari of Tanzania.

I bring to all of you greetings from our leaders of the East and Central African Section our GS Narendrabhai, our Tanzania AGS Dubalbhai, from our Ladies group Sis Lila Chohan and our Youth Group President Chandni Mehta and all the youngsters. And each and every member of the East and Central African Section comprising of 4 countries KENYA, UGANDA, ZAMBIA and TANZANIA!

The Theosophical Order of Service was founded in 1908 by the very dynamic Second President of the Theosophical Society, Mrs. Annie Besant, in an effort to provide a framework in which people can engage in creative, practical and humanitarian action in a theosophical spirit. The Motto of the TOS is:

 “A Union of All Who Love

   In the Service of all that Suffers”

Today at the helm are our International President Bro. Tim Boyd and our TOS International Secretary Nancy Secrest, who has taken on the responsibility after Diana Chapotin - a dynamic woman who served brilliantly for 20 years. Nancy’s office forms the nexus wherein all TOS activity reports converge and are shared through the international e-newsletter. The current editor is David Sztain from Calgary, Canada.

The TOS, a worldwide organization is established in 33countries. The 33rd country on the TOS map is Uganda! The TOS International Convention is held once in 5 years following a major Theosophical Convention or Theosophical World Congress.

Now coming to East and Central Africa, we are delighted that TOS work is not merely a wing of the Theosophical fraternity but is an autonomous dynamic movement.

With the launch of the Theosophical Society in Tanzania in 1936, the leaders and members of TS in Tanzania sowed the seeds of parallel goals of focused study of theosophy and serving the community through humanitarian projects.

Over the years, especially the 1960’s. 70’s and 80’s this wave gained momentum with the sterling leadership of stalwarts like Bro. J. D. Shah, Bro. Harkishan Shah, Bro.Amubhai Raval, Bro.Hasmukh Devani, Sis. Jasu Devani, Bro. Harsukh Dubal, Sis.Lila Chohan and certainly my own parents…Bro.Tribhovan and Sis.Manjula ben, all of whom reached out to places with great need to which they could make contributions and donations. These included donations of school books, contribution of supplies to the school for visually impaired, food for the cancer patients at the cancer hospital, toys for underprivileged children, all in the true spirit of theosophy.

With the turn of the century and the formalization of the Theosophical Order of Service in Tanzania, I had the privilege of accepting the mantle of TOS Director for Tanzania. Together with the Ladies group chaired by Ss. Lila Chohan, the general meetings chaired by our AGS Bro.Harsukh Dubal at our historical Dahya Punja Library, Bharat Samaj Poojas and community events, the TS and TOS worked wonderfully in harmony.

CONVENTIONS
Our East and Central African Section comprise of 4 countries Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania.

We are always delighted to meet once every 2 years at a Convention that rotates from country to country. The last few conventions in Tanzania were a huge success with public lectures and interactive group discussions.

INTERNATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS

We have had the privilege of hosting several international dignitaries as Chief Guests..from Bro. H. K. Sharan, to Bro. C.V.K. Maithreya to Sis.Ananya Sri Ram (niece of Radhaji), and also have had high impacting visits by our former International President Mrs. Radha Burnier, not once or twice but four times!! Over the decades, the wise leaders of our Society such as Bro. Rohit Mehta and his wife came to give enlightening talks and spread the message of Theosophy.

This being an African section, we were honoured to have in our midst a visually impaired African scholar Bro. Reuben Tuku, who used to travel to all the countries to talk about the ideals of theosophy and he had a great influence on bringing people together in a spirit of brotherhood.

TOS TANZANIA: There is a beautiful proverb:

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain

If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees

If you want a hundred years of prosperity, grow people.”

Within Tanzania, we are delighted with our very own ‘GENERATION NEXT - our lively, cheerful, energetic TOS YOUTH GROUP! It is so heartening that the Youth group initiated by my daughter Malaika Kapur and daughter of our AGS Khyati Dubal in 2009, is continuing to date. When this inaugural team of youngsters left for higher studies to India, UK, USA and Canada, an energetic new team of young members banded together. Today, we have an enthusiastic, exuberant, spirited Youth Group President - Chandni Mehta, whose communication skills, networking talent and great team spirit are exemplary. The entire youth team is vibrant, motivated, full of fresh ideas and working collaboratively on TOS projects.

TANZANIA HEART BABIES PROJECT, a Landmark Project in Tanzania carried out by Regency Medical Centre,

to which our Youth contribute, as and when they can raise funds. In Tanzania, 1 out 0f 200 children is born with a heart defect. With paediatric cardiac surgery still evolving in Tanzania, these children, if left untreated would die before the age of 21. These children need to fly to India for Open Heart Surgeries. TOS has raised funds to sponsor some open heart surgeries and airfares.

In the year 2014, MALAIKA KAPUR AND THE CANADIAN TEAM OF STUDENTS FROM 9 COUNTRIES TREKED TO MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OPEN HEART SURGERIES. With this campaign they raised funds from donors and especially TOS Italy to support 10 heart surgeries. This news was splashed in the major newspapers of Dar es Salaam!

CHANIKA ORPHANAGE

On the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, a homely orphanage houses 92 children. Our youth group and elders organise Xmas parties  and raise donations to supply groceries, books, uniforms and more beds in the dormitory.

TEDDIES FROM ITALY

TOS Italy responded to the plight of Tanzanian children and sent cartons of specially knitted teddy bears for children.  

‘FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY’ JUMBLE SALE

Books, cards, jewellery, colour pens, baskets, clothes, stickers, decoration articles, stationery collected from our TOS members were sold at the big jumble sale event in Dar es Salaam. All these proceeds were donated to the Chanika Orphanage.

5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF TOS YOUTH GROUP & T-SHIRTS DONATION:  (July 2015)

It was party time for these youngsters, who welcomed their Inaugural Youth President Malaika Kapur from Canada and Inaugural Vice President Khyati Dubal from India. TOS T-

Shirts with slogan “Say No To Plastic’ were distributed to the community to complete the celebration!

WARMTH OF BLANKETS FOR ‘ASKARIS’

During the winter months (August /Sept in the southern hemisphere) Bro.Dubal arranged 100 blankets to be distributed to Askaris (guards/watchmen)

TOS YOUTH CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO, WORLD’S HIGHEST FREE STANDING MOUNTAIN FOR PEACE: PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES

TOS youth members Dr. Yash Dubal and Hitesh Chohan conquered the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at over 19,000 feet! The journey was symbolic of their quest for spiritual growth and peace.

TOS CONTRIBUTES TV SET & DVD PLAYER gifted by Manjulaben to the Dahya Punja Library at Dar Lodge Centre for students.

BREAKFAST FOR CANCER HOSPITAL PATIENTS  in Dar es Salaam was provided thanks to donations pouring in from Canada and U.S.A.    

GIFTS FROM LONDON WITH LOVE! TS Chairperson Sis. Lila Chohan’s philanthropic family of U.K.  visited the Chanika Orphanage with gifts and monetary contributions for the expansion of the premise’s facilities.

TOS DONATION OF MOVIE SCREEN FOR CHILDREN of ShishiKunj Orphanage was used with the screening of film on ‘Adyar’ to highlight international headquarters to the public.

VAISAKH FULL MOON CELEBRATION AT BUDDHIST TEMPLE: Juices, food stuff and sweets were contributed by TOS / TS Dar as part of Vaisakh Poornima celebrations with Buddhist Monk Bro. Panasera and a large gathering of Buddhist followers and guests from Sri Lanka, Spain, India, UK and Tanzania.

IN MUMBAI & THEOSOPHICAL BOOKS FROM MUMBAI: In Mumbai, my mother Manjulaben and I attended the Blavatsky Lodge ‘Maitreya Round Table’ and ‘Mystic Star Ritual’. From the Blavatsky Lodge bookshop, we also purchased Theosophical books to be distributed to students both in India and Tanzania.

BHARAT SAMAJ POOJA AT BRO. DUBAL’S HOUSE

A large group of Theosophists and TOS members  had gathered at AGS Bro. Dubal’s new, extended beautiful home for a Bharat Samaj Pooja. 

COMPASSION FROM CANADA!

Bro. P.S. PATEL’s ANNUAL DONATION was spent for distribution of toys, food, stationery to orphans, food to Cancer hospital and lepers’ home, food and toys to mentally challenged children and blanket distribution and assistance to the needy.

YOUTH GROUP CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS & ADYAR DAY WITH CHANIKA ORPHANGE KIDS with fun filled moments, games, Karaoke Songs especially in Kiswahili language and goodies to eat.

BREAKING NEWS!!! TOS YOUTH GROUP LAUNCHES FACEBOOK PAGE & INSTAGRAM!!(27^thFebruary, 2017)

 as high tech communication tools to connect globally

VISIT OF GENERAL SECRETARY OF PHILLIPINES BRO. VINCENTE & HIS WIFE TO TANZANIA after his presence at the Uganda convention as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. At his talk in Dar es Salaam, our youth combined charity work along with his address. They sold designed TOS T-shirts with the aim of promoting the TOS objectivities as far and wide as possible.

It is said that a picture can capture a thousand words, so I end with a FILM created by my husband RUNJIV about TS & TOS SAFARI of East & Central Africa.

PLEASE NOTE

Commemoration Meeting for Late Bro. Rusi Todywalla, a Stalwart Theosophist of Bombay will be held jointly by Bombay Theosophical Federation, Blavatsky Lodge TS, TOS Mumbai Region and Maitreya Round Table on Sunday 27th May 2018 at 11.30 a.m. at Besant Hall, Blavatsky Lodge.

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    BTF & LODGE PROGRAMMES JUNE 2018

ANANDA LODGE: Theosophical Colony, Juhu, Mumbai 400049. Contact Ananda Lodge Secretary Sis. Zenobia Khodaiji (M): 9820308163 or Ananda Lodge Representative to BTF Sis. Anjoo Narain (M): 9820132473 for Meeting of June 2018

2. BLAVATSKY LODGE: 7 - French Bridge, Mumbai 400007

    Tel: 23685026   (M): 9821459504   (M): 9819334333

DAY	TIME	DETAILS
Fri       1	6.00 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun     3	10.00 am   11.30 am	Bharat Samaj Pooja Blavtasky Lodge Sunday Meeting – Sis. Gulbanu Merchant will share English & Gujarati Poems written by her
Fri       8	6.00 pm    6.15 pm	Mystic Star Ritual Talk by Dr. Darius H. Umrigar (in Lobby)
Fri     15	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Fri     22	4.30 pm   6.00 pm	Blavatsky Lodge MC Meeting Study of CWL’s book ‘Inner Life’ conducted by Sis. Aban Patel
Sun   24	10.45 pm	Maitreya Round Table
Fri     29	6.00 pm	Theosophical Readings
Tues 5, 12,  19, 26	5.45 pm	Study of CWL’s book ‘The Masters & The Path’

3. CENTENARY LODGE: 

 Please contact Sis. Najma Dewan (M): 9987204038 for meetings

4. JYOTI LODGE: Contact Bro. Taral Munshi, C/101, Building No.19, New Mhada, Garden Hill C.H.S., New Mhada Colony, Behind N.P.A., Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400065 (M): 9820187317

5. SHANTI LODGE: C/o Bro. Rustom Dalal, Vijay Niwas, 2nd Floor, Plot 5, Sleater Road, Mumbai 400007  Tel: 23800422  (M): 9833131216 Time: 6.15 p.m.

7	Study of  ‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
14	Study of  ‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant
21	Dr. Darius H. Umrigar’s Talk (at Blavatsky Lodge)
28	Study of  ‘Thought Power’ by Annie Besant

6. UNITY YOUTH LODGE: Sis.  Soonoo Vesuna (M): 9619339787

Wed  20

5.30 pm

Theosophical readings guided by Sis. Soonoo Vesuna at her residence Vijay Niwas, 4th Floor, Sleater Road

7 & 8 VASANTA LODGE & GANESH LODGE: C/O Mrs. Gita S. Parikh, Gokul Anand Building, 4th Floor, Dattatraya Cross Road

(M):9920384140

Wednesday 6, 13, 20  & 27 Meetings at 6.30 pm.

9. VIMADALAL BILIA LODGE: Family House, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Mumbai 400014.  Goolcher Manjra Tel: 24185510

5.45 pm. Healing Rituals.

Thurs    7	5.45	Healing Ritual
Thurs  14	6.00	Study of ‘The Masters and the Path’
Thurs  21	6.00	Lodge Members’ Meeting
Thurs  28	6.00	Theosophical Readings

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Price: Rs. 1/-                                         Annual Subscription: Rs. 10/-

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Edited & Published by Editor Shri. Rustom R. Dalal, The Bombay Theosophical Federation, c/o Blavatsky Lodge, 7 – French Bridge, Chowpatty, Mumbai – 400 007. (Tel: 23685026) and Printed at Vijay Copy Centre, 48/A, Saidunnisa Building, Sleater Road, Opposite Grant Road Station (West), Mumbai - 400 007 (Tel:23865137)

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MCM OF MAY 2018

Blavatsky Lodge

THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

7, French Bridge, Rangnekar Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007

Minutes of the Managing Committee meeting held at 4.30 pm on Friday, the 25^th May, 2018 at Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai. The meeting chaired by the President Sis.Kashmira Khambatta began with the Universal Prayer.

Members Present:,Bro. Navin Kumar, Sis. Jasmine Cawasji, Bro. Arni Narendran, Sis.Aban Patel, Nawaz Dhalla, and Sis. Ruby Khan.

Leave of Absence: Rustom Dalal, Sis. Ferny Pagdiwala, Bro. Roy Mathews and Bro. Rustom Cooper.

The deliberations of the Meeting were as under:

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of the MC meeting held on 27th May 2018, which were Mailed in advance and distributed to members at the meeting, were considered andconfirmed.

2. Hon. Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2018, was read by Sis. Ruby Khan and approved by the Managing Committee Members present.

There being no other business, the Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Hon. Secretary                                                  President

(Jasmine Cawasji)                                      (Kashmira Khambatta)