short talks, white lotus day & official opening — all welcome
Level 1, 234 Flinders Lane Melbourne
- Readings from the Bhagavad Gītā, The Light of Asia and The Voice of the Silence
- Short talks by Stephen McDonald and Dara Tatray
- Afternoon tea and refreshments
Stephen McDonald — The White Lotus and the Life of a Theosophical Centre
This talk will discuss the significance of a TS Centre (Lodge/Branch) by using the symbolism of the lotus as an analogy. A Lodge/Branch should represent the essence of the values of the Theosophical Society as a whole and thereby, become a centre for spiritual regeneration.
Stephen has been an active member of the Theosophical Society since 1976. He is a past President of Blavatsky Lodge, Sydney and was recently elected as National President of the TS in Australia. He has had an enduring interest in the work of J Krishnamurti and Theosophical classics, such as Voice of the Silence and Light on the Path.
For many years, Stephen ran a private clinic as a homeopath and later became a lecturer at Torrens University. He holds a Master of Health Science degree from Newcastle University and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching.
Dara Tatray — The Buddhism and Brahmanism of H.P. Blavatsky
This short talk explores the transcendent unity of Buddhism and Vedānta, as understood by H.P. Blavatsky and her teachers. On White Lotus Day, it seems fitting that we consider H.P.B.’s exemplary contribution to the field of comparative religion.
Dara holds a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science (UNSW 2006) and has been a student of Theosophy and Vedanta since 1979. A past President of the Australian Section, she is currently the National Secretary of the TS in Australia.
