Mestre Irineu

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Raimundo Irineu Serra, aka Mestre (Master) Irineu was the founder of a syncretic religion known as Santo Daime. Mestre Irineu was born in São Vicente Ferrer, in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

He later moved to the state of Acre where he worked on rubber plantations. In the city of Brasiléia, which is close to the border of Bolivia, he was in contact with other people from his home state of Maranhão as well as Bolivians, from whom he learned the use of ayahuasca. In these early experiences he encountered the Virgin Mary (the Queen of the Forest) and began receiving the guidance which developed into a religious doctrine throughout the remainder of his long life.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ A letter to Governor Jorge Viana and Mayor Raymond Angelim (dated 14 July 2006) Dona Peregrina Gomes Serra, widow of Mestre Irineu translated from the Portuguese