KRISHNAMURTI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 738, 10 August 1929, Page 9

KRISHNAMURTI

Indian Philosopher, Poet and Teacher A STRANGE LIFE is this Krishnamurti, the young Indian sage, philosopher, poet and teacher, who is to visit New Zealand in March of next year? Though he is only in his early thirties, his name is known all over the world. To the man in the street Krishnamurti, or Krishnaji, as he is known to his admirers and followers, is indissolubly connected with the Theosophical Society and his name is linked with that of Mrs. Annie Besant, president of that organisation. Krishnamurti, himself, however, definitely repudiates connection with

any organised body, political, social or religious. Organisation, he argues, tends to stultify thought and limit truth, the finding of which is the ultimate and unescapable goal of all mankind. His teaching is the essential oneness of all tilings, unity in seeming diversity, simplicity in apparent complexity. He stresses the optimistic note of unceasing progress through the evolution of both form and spirit, the slow improvement of the former being duo to the increasing needs of the latter which requires better vehicles through which to express itself. HIGH-CASTE BRAHMIN

Born near Madras, India, Krishnamurti is a little over 30 years of age. No actual record of his birth was kept so that his age cannot be definitely fixed. His parents were high-caste Brahmins, his father being a member of the Theosophical Society, which nas its world headquarters at Adyar, Madras, India. His mother died while he was a small child.

The boy grew up and lived the life of the normal Brahmin child, though it is said that he showed traces of a much superior mentality and spiritual development than the average. When he was 11 years old he came under the notice of Mrs. Annie Besant, president of the Theosophical Society, author of numerous books on occultism, and former agnostic and radical. So impressed was she with the lad's character and disposition that she legally adopted Krishnamurti and his brother Nityananda, taking them both with her to the Theosophical headquarters at Madras, where he stayed for two or three years, undergoing special tuition, before proceeding to Kngland with his brother, where his education was continued at private schools. Though his brother Nityananda took degrees at school, Krishnamurti did not trouble, evidently considering that true education did not lie in the mere acquiring of knowledge. Meanwhile, in India, trouble was brewing. Through some unknown cause, pressure was brought to bear on the father of the two boys with the object of having them restored to the parental roof. Mrs. Besant successfully fought the case and retained control of the boys, conducting and

winning her own defence before the j Privy Council in England. COMING OF POWER All this time Krishnamurti was looked on as the long waited teacher and philosopher who would give to the Western world a message in keeping with its particular needs. The Order of the Star which was founded for the purpose of welcoming and promulgating the idea, extended itself all over the world. Krishnamurti, when quite a boy, wrote a small book called “At the Feet of The Master,” a book which has sold in hundreds of thousands. Couched in beautiful language it set out the path to be followed by those who would free themselves from the cares and sorrows of the world and attain peace, serenity and enlightenment. Since then he has written numerous devotional books.It was when the boy was about 13 years old that his followers assert that they received a definite sign that he was the great Teacher who -was to come. It was in the meeting room of the Order of the Star in Benares, and Krishnamurti was giving out prize certificates.

“Suddenly,” say those -who were present, "there was a feeling of tremendous power iu the room, and we all realised there was something there greater than the mere Indian boy, Krishnamurti. There was no mistaking it.” The next public manifestation of this power took place at Adyar during the Theosophical Convention of 1925. Krishnamurti was- standing under the great banyan tree in the courtyard addressing his followers, representing every country in the world, who Sat around to catch his every word. Those who were there say that Krishnamurti .was suddenly imbued with a power greater than himself and the awesome feeling of it transfixed his listeners. NO GLOOM RELIGION Speaking English fluently and French without the trace of an accent this young philosopher plays tennis, dresses well and to all intents and purposes is no different from any other youth. Only In his philosophy, does he depart from the ordinary. His is a philosophy of happiness and selfexpression, and he dislikes the “longfaced” type of religionist. There is no difference between religions, he teaches. They are all the same in their basic principles. The dogmas do not concern him. For nine months of the year he travels, and has just recently been at the Star Camp at Ojai, California. India to England, America to Australia —he is always on the move. “X don’t want a thing from anyone, neither following, nor money, nor praise, nor flattery, nor the desire to urge others to a right conduct of life,” he said at the recent Star Camp. Over and over again, he says, his only desire is to present Truth,' that men may each gather it. He asks that people forget Krishnamurti, the individual, and judge the message he gives instead.

Pursued by newspaper men and admirers, Krishnamurti carries on cheerfully with his teachings all over the world and his promised visit to New Zealand early next year should arouse the greatest curiosity aud interest throughout the Dominion. The New Zealand head of the Order of the Star, which is now to he disbanded, is Mr. J. R. Thomson, of Auckland.