Rerikhism

Symbol of Rerikhism: the Pax per Cultura, the true culture being the "Cult of Light", the "Light of Fire", the all-pervading Fire (Agni).[1]

Rerikhism[2] or Roerichism (Russian: Рерихи́зм, Рерихиа́нство, Ре́риховское движе́ние) is a spiritual movement centered on the teachings transmitted by Nicholas and Helena Roerich.[3] It draws ideas from Theosophy, Eastern and Western religions, Vedic and Buddhist traditions molding them into the Russian culture and Russian cosmism[4][5]

Monument of Helena and Nicholas Roerichs in Moscow

Teachers and their teachings

Helena Roerich

Main article: Helena Roerich
«Helena Roerich». 1909.
Valentin Serov

Helena Roerich (Russian: Елéна Ивáновна Рéрих; February 12, 1879 – October 5, 1955) was a Russian philosopher,[6] writer, and public figure. In the early 20th century, she created, in cooperation with the Teachers of the East (Masters of the Ancient Wisdom), a philosophic teaching of Living Ethics («Agni Yoga»).[7] She was an organizer and participant of cultural and enlightened creativity in the USA, conducted under the guidance of her husband, Nicholas Roerich. Along with her husband, she took part in expeditions of hard-to-reach and little-investigated regions of Central Asia (1924—1928). She was an Honorary President-Founder of the Institute of Himalayan Studies «Urusvati» in India and co-author of the idea of the International Treaty for Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments (Roerich Pact). She translated two volumes of the «Secret Doctrine» of H. P. Blavatsky, and also selected Mahatma’s Letters («Cup of the East»), from English to Russian.[8]

Nicholas Roerich

Main article: Nicholas Roerich
Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Nikolas Roerich, and Mohammad Yunus

Nicholas Roerich (1874 – 1947) was a Russian painter, writer, archaeologist, theosophist, perceived by some in Russia as an enlightener,[9] philosopher, and public figure.[10][11] He studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts and at St. Petersburg University from 1893-1898, simultaneously at the Law University as well. He wrote,"From 1890s, I saw accurate symbolisms of their people's morals shown in the main directions of philosophy, cultural memorials, monuments, literature and religions from ancient India, China, Tibet and Mongolian culture." For 42 years Roerich lived in Russia, in India for 20 years, USA for 3 years, Finland for 2 years, France for 1 year, England for 1 year, China for 2 years, Tibet for half a year and Mongolia.[12] for 7–8 months. Roerich twice toured through Central and Eastern Asia, in 1924 and 1934, and following his travels in Mongolia's Gobi and Altai Mountains and the Himalayan Mountains, wrote the books "Heart of Asia" and "Altai-Himalaya". An important roles for humankind to coexist peacefully, together with well-known international figures (Einstein, Tagore), initiated the Roerich Pact during World War II for the purpose of protecting world cultural values. Roerich's paintings, so attractive with their combinations of colours, amazing symbols, and secrets, depict hidden ideas and deep meanings. Roerich, knowing the Buddha legend, well toured through the Indian and Tibetan mountains looking for legendary Shambhala. The Roerichs are also famous for introducing Shambhala in Buddhist teachings in western countries.[13]

Roerich's family: Nicholas, Helena, George, and Svetoslav. (Kullu valley, India)

Nicholas and Helena had two children. In August 1902 their eldest son George was born. Later he became a world-renowned scientist, orientalist, and Guru.[14] Their younger son, Svetoslav, was born in October 1904. He became a painter, thinker, and public worker. N. Roerich and their sons thought highly of Helena, and considered her a spiritual leader.[15]

Agni Yoga

Main articles: Agni Yoga and Living Ethics

Agni Yoga is a spiritual teaching transmitted by the Helena and Nicholas Roerichs from 1920. The followers of Agni Yoga believe that the teaching was given to the Roerich family and their associates by Master Morya, the guru of Helena Blavatsky, a founder of the Theosophical Society. In the sixteen volumes of the Teaching of Living Ethics that have been translated into English from the original Russian,[16] as well as in the letters of Helena Roerich, the Agni Yoga teaching is also referred to as the Teaching of Living Ethics, the Teaching of Life, the Teaching of Light, or simply as the Teaching.[17]

Being based on the ancient knowledge of the East and the achievements of modern science in the West, Living Ethics concerns peculiarities of cosmic evolution of humanity and creates a new system of its perception. The Teaching pays particular attention to the Cosmic Laws that determine the motion of planets and growth of natural structures, birth of stars, and also human behavior and the development of Universe. The authors of the Teaching state that these Laws influence the historic and social processes in human life and unless the humanity realizes this the life can’t be improved. According to Living Ethics, Universe is the immense spiritual-energy system in which a man plays the most important role. The moral perfection, strict observance of ethical laws and comprehension of key factor of Culture in the development of human society are basic principles of spiritual and historical development of humanity.[18] It’s impossible to build the better future without respecting knowledge and Culture. A man, according to the Teaching, influences the Cosmic processes greatly. Particular attention is paid to the consciousness of a man and the culture of thinking, as thought is energy, capable of filling space and effecting its surroundings. A man is directly responsible for the quality of his thoughts, words, and deeds, because not only his spiritual and physical health depend on them, but also the condition of the entire planet. Calling people to live in accordance with Cosmic Laws, the Living Ethics opens unlimited possibilities for the spiritual transformation of life, the expansion of consciousness, and the acquirement of high moral standards.[19]

The Agni Yoga Society was founded in 1920 by Helena and Nicholas Roerich. It is a non-profit educational institution incorporated in 1946 under the laws of the State of New York, and is supported entirely by voluntary contributions and membership dues. The aims of the Society are embodied in the philosophy that gives it its name—Agni Yoga—as contained in the books of the Agni Yoga Series published by the Society. In them is found a synthesis of ancient Eastern beliefs and modern Western thought and a bridge between the spiritual and the scientific. Unlike previous yogas, Agni Yoga is a path not of physical disciplines, meditation, or asceticism—but of practice in daily life. It is the yoga of fiery energy, of consciousness, of responsible, directed thought. It teaches that the evolution of the planetary consciousness is a pressing necessity and that, through individual striving, it is an attainable aspiration for mankind. It affirms the existence of the Hierarchy of Light and the center of the Heart as the link with the Hierarchy and with the far-off worlds. Though not systematized in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common good. For this reason Agni Yoga has been called a "living ethic." Speaking about the individual's role in human spiritual evolution, H. Roerich wrote, "The greatest benefit that we can contribute consists in the broadening of consciousness, and the improvement and enrichment of our thinking, which, together with the purification of the heart, strengthens our emanations. And thus, raising our vibrations, we restore the health of all that surrounds us."[20]

Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace

Main articles: Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace
Signing of the Roerich Pact in White House April 15, 1935 (in centre: Franklin Delano Roosevelt)

The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace movement grew rapidly during the early nineteen-thirties, with centers in a number of countries. There were three international conferences, in Bruges, Belgium, in Montevideo, Uruguay, and in Washington, D.C. The Pact itself declared the necessity for protection of the cultural product and activity of the world—both during war and peace—and prescribed the method by which all sites of cultural value would be declared neutral and protected, just as the Red Cross does with hospitals. Indeed, the Roerich Pact was often called The Red Cross of Culture:[21]

NOW, THEREFORE be it known that I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, have caused the said Treaty to be made public to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States of America and the citizens thereof. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the Seal of the United States of America to be hereunto affixed. DONE at the city of Washington this twenty-fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixtieth.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

By the President: Cordell Hull Secretary of State.

Post-Roerichian Teaching of Life

Minor planet 4426 Roerich in Solar System
A book "Community" (Russian: ″Община″) from the Teaching which was on board of orbital station "Mir"

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Essence of The Banner of Peace. Estonian Rerikh Society.
  2. ↑ Philip Walters. Religion, State & Society. Volume 28, Issue 1, 2000. Quote from the Editorial: «"Rerikhism" is an example of a thoroughly Russian new religious movement».
  3. ↑ "Lewis Keizer. Nicholas and Helena Roerich.". YouTube. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  4. ↑ Shaposhnikova L.V. Cosmic thinking and new system of knowledge // Living Ethics and Science. Issue 1 (Russian). — Moscow, International Centre of the Roerichs, Master-Bank, 2008. — P.35; html-version.
  5. ↑ Gindilis L.M., Frolov V.V. Philosophy of Living Ethics and its interpreters. Roerich’s movement in Russia // Journal "Problems of philosophy" ("Problemi filosofii") N 3, 2001; Living Ethics and Science. Issue 1.- Moscow, ICR, Master-Bank, 2008. — P.159.
  6. ↑ Roerich (born Shaposhnikova) / Helena Ivanovna / New philosophical encyclopedia. — Moscow, «Misl» Publishing, 2000. — V. 1–4. (Russian)
  7. ↑ Roerich (born Shaposhnikova) / Helena Ivanovna / New philosophical encyclopedia. — Moscow, «Misl» publishing, 2000. — V. 1–4.
  8. ↑ S. Kluchnikov. Proclaimer of the fire epoch. Story and study about Helena Ivanovna Roerich. Novosibirsk, Siberia department of «Detskaya literature» publishing, 1991. — P.10.
  9. ↑ Электронная библиотека Международного Центра Рерихов, ПЛАНЕТА «РЕРИХ»
  10. ↑ Nicholas Roerich: In Search of Shambala by Victoria Klimentieva, стр. 31
  11. ↑ Nicholas Roerich Museum
  12. ↑ "The Story of the Roerich Mongolia House". YouTube. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  13. ↑ Batbayar S. Russian Scientist Roerich and Mongolia // Canada Tibet Committee News, November 27, 2008
  14. ↑ Skumin VA (2003). "Удрая — наш Духовный Наставник" [Udraia (George Roerich's spiritual name) is our Guru]. To Health via Culture 9: 3–12. ISSN 0204-3440. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  15. ↑ H.I. Roerich’s biography at the website of International Centre-Museum named after N.K. Roerich.
  16. ↑ "Bibliography". found-helenaroerich.ru. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  17. ↑ Skumin, V. A.; Aunovsky, O. K. (1995). Светоносцы (о семье Рерихов) [The Bringers of the Light (The story of the Roerich family).] (in Russian). Novocheboksarsk: TEROS. ISBN 5-88167-004-3. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ Skumin, V. A. (1995). Агни Йога как метод реабилитации человеческого духа [Agni Yoga as a method of rehabilitation of the human spirit] (in Russian). Cheboksary: To Health via Culture. ISSN 0204-3440. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Helena I. Roerich". found-helenaroerich.ru. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  20. ↑ "About Agni Yoga". agniyoga.org. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Roerich Pact and Banner Of Peace". Retrieved January 24, 2015.

Sources

External links