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 and cultural movement centered on the teachings transmitted by Helena and Nicholas 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]

Teachers and their teachings

Helena Roerich

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

Helena Roerich was a Russian philosopher, writer, and public figure. She was born in the family of Ivan Shaposhnikov, a well-known Saint-Petersburg architect. Helena’s mother, belonged to an ancient Golenischev-Kutuzov family, which originated from Novgorod at the end of the 13th century. Significant members of this family included knyaz Mikhail Kutuzov, field marshal of the Russian Empire; Arseny Golenishchev-Kutuzov, poet of the end of 19th century; and Modest Mussorgsky, well-known composer. 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).[6] She was an organizer and participant of cultural and enlightened creativity in the US, 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[7] and co-author of the idea of the International Treaty for Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments (Roerich Pact).

Helena was in frequent communication with the artists and scientists of the era, such as Mikhail Vrubel, Arkhip Kuindzhi, Vladimir Stasov, Sergei Diaghilev, Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Blok, Vladimir Solovyov, and Vladimir Bekhterev. Painter Valentin Serov once came to their home to draw Helena’s portrait. 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, philosopher, public figure, and guru.[9][10]

He studied at the Karl May School, at the Imperial Academy of Arts, and at St. Petersburg University from 1893–1898, simultaneously at the Law University as well.[11] 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, US 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]

Jawaharlal Nehru's tribute to Roerich,[14]

When I think of Nicholas Roerich I am astounded at the scope and abundance of his activities and creative genius. A great artist, a great scholar and writer, archaeologist and explorer, he touched and lighted up so many aspects of human endeavour. The very quantity is stupendous – thousands of paintings and each one of them a great work of art. When you look at these paintings, so many of them of the Himalayas, you seem to catch the spirit of those great mountains which have towered over the Indian plain and been our sentinels for ages past. They remind us of so much in our history, our thought, our cultural and spiritual heritage so much not merely of the India of the past but of something that is permanent and eternal about India, that we cannot help feeling a great sense of indebtedness to Nicholas Roerich who has enshrined that spirit in these magnificent canvases.
Roerich's family: Nicholas, Helena, George, and Svetoslav. (Kullu valley, India)

Roerich's sons

Nicholas and Helena had two children. In August 1902 their eldest son George de Roerich was born. Later he became a world-renowned scientist, orientalist, and guru.[15] Their younger son, Svetoslav Roerich, 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.[16]

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,[17] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20]

The Agni Yoga Society

Master Building, 1929 view

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, Helena 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."[21]

The Master Institute of United Arts and Nicholas Roerich Museum

Nicholas Roerich Museum

The Master Institute of United Arts came into being in 1920 as the Master School of United Arts. It struggled to survive until, in 1922, Louis Horch financed its transfer from a single-room, all-in-one studio at 314 West 54th Street to a mansion he bought on the site where the Master Building would later be constructed. Originally built to house a museum for Nicholas Roerich, a school, an auditorium and a restaurant in a residential hotel, the building was designed by Helmle, Corbett & Harrison and Sugarman & Berger.[22] They were attracted to the spiritual quest in which the Roeriches were engaged and participated in sessions during which Helena Roerich would receive instructions from Mahātmā Morya and Nicholas Roerich would record them on scrolls of paper that were later transcribed into a series of texts, the Leaves of Morya's Garden,[23] which follows, appears to encourage the construction of a building, such as the Master Building, as an educational center for spiritual enlightenment. The Master Institute aimed to give students a well-rounded education in the arts and also to "open the gates to spiritual enlightenment" through culture.

The mansion where it was located also housed the Nicholas Roerich Museum, containing many of the thousands of paintings Roerich had created, and Corona Mundi, which arranged for exhibitions of paintings by Roerich and international artists. The Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City is dedicated to the works of Nicholas Roerich, whose work focused on nature scenes from the Himalayas.[24] The museum is located in a brownstone at 319 West 107th Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The museum was originally located in the Master Apartments at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, which were built especially for Roerich in 1929.[25] Currently, the museum includes between 100 and 200 of Roerich's works as well as a collection of archival materials.[26][27]

Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace

Main articles: Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace
Signing of the Roerich Pact in White House 15 April 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:[28]

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.

The American Russian Cultural Association

The American Russian Cultural Association (Russian: Америк′ано–р′усская культ′урная ассоци′ация) was organized in the USA in 1942 to encourage cultural ties between the Soviet Union and the United States, with Nicholas Roerich as honorary president. The group's first annual report was issued the following year. The group does not appear to have lasted much past Nicholas Roerich's death in 1947.[29][30]

Post-Roerichian teaching of life

A book "Community" (Russian: ″Община″) from the Teaching which was on board of orbital station "Mir", 1999

The Teaching of Life, which contains a new, cosmic worldview, has played and continues to play an enormous role in paving the way for the spiritual evolution. The Roerich movement, like any social movement in the process of formation, has its difficulties and problems.[31][32] Some international and regional organizations, whose activity is based on the ideas of Rerikhism, arose many years later after the death of all members of the Roerich family.

The World Organisation of Culture of Health (WOCH)

Victor Skumin in 2000, India

This organization was founded in the year 1994. Victor Skumin was elected to the post of the President-founder of the World Organisation of Culture of Health — International social movement "To Health via Culture" (Russian: Междунаро́дное обще́ственное Движе́ние «К Здоро́вью че́рез Культу́ру»). The organization operates in accordance with the registered in Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation Charter. Key element of a "Culture of Health" is implement innovative health programs that support a holistic approach to physical, mental and spiritual well-being both inside and outside the workplace.[33][34]

In the Russian Orthodox Church the social activities of this international organization qualifies as an ideology of the Agni Yoga and New Age (NA),[35][36]

N. K. Roerich Museum (The hall of Living Ethics) in 2014, Moscow
The ideology of the NA serves outstanding contemporary philosophers: Gregory Bateson, Ken Wilber, Paul Feyerabend. On a grand scale is the creation and support of international organizations, contained in the ideology of the NA. In Russia and in Ukraine, International movement "To Health via Culture", based on the teachings of Agni Yoga, operates and has a great publishing activity.

The relationship between the Skumin's doctrine of culture of health and Rerikhism is also confirmed by some scientists, such as Goraschuk V. P., Professor of H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University. In 2004, he wrote in his thesis for a Doctor’s degree on speciality "general pedagogics and history of pedagogics",[37]

The front cover of the 25-th issue of the journal To Health via Culture
V. Skumìn developed the problems associated with a culture of health in the context of philosophy of Roerich.

The anthem of WOCH ("To Health via Culture") consists of four stanzas. The capital letters each of the four stanzas form the word Agni.[38][39] (Anthem "To Health via Culture." on YouTube). Another hymn by Skumin is termed "Urusvati". Helena Roerich, known as the Tara Urusvati in Agni Yoga and Rerikhism. The hymn begins with the phrase, "The fire of the heart ignites Urusvati, she teaches the spirit take-off on the wings of the grace".[39]

The The journal of the World Organisation of Culture of Health (″World Health Culture Organization″) is based in Novocheboksarsk. In 1995, Victor Skumin became the first editor-in-chief of the journal To Health via Culture. The journal received an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) 0204-3440.[40] The main topics of the magazine are the dissemination of ideas of culture of health, holistic medicine, and Rerikhism.

The Organization also has its own publishing house ("To Health via Culture"), who has the right to publish the books with the International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

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 12 January 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.
  7. ↑ "INTERNATIONAL ROERICH MEMORIAL TRUST". roerich.ee. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  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. ↑ Skumin, V. A. (2004). Фуяма — огненный гуру-покровитель духовного человечества [Fuyama (Nicolas Roerich's spiritual name) as a Guru-patron of the spiritual mankind]. To Health via Culture 10: 31–34. ISSN 0204-3440. OCLC 70966742. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  10. ↑ Nicholas Roerich: In Search of Shambala by Victoria Klimentieva, p. 31]
  11. ↑ Электронная библиотека Международного Центра Рерихов, ПЛАНЕТА "РЕРИХ"
  12. ↑ "The Story of the Roerich Mongolia House". YouTube. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Batbayar S. Russian Scientist Roerich and Mongolia // Canada Tibet Committee News, 27 November 2008
  14. ↑ "Estonian Roerich Society: Greetings". roerich.ee. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  15. ↑ 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 1 November 2015.
  16. ↑ H.I. Roerich's biography at the website of International Centre-Museum named after N.K. Roerich.
  17. ↑ "Bibliography". found-helenaroerich.ru. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  18. ↑ 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 1 November 2015.
  19. ↑ 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 8 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Helena I. Roerich". found-helenaroerich.ru. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "About Agni Yoga". agniyoga.org. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  22. ↑
    1. Master Apartments in Emporis.com
    2. City Realty Review
  23. ↑ Leaves Of Morya's Garden. Book One: The Call. agniyoga.org. 1924. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  24. ↑ Seth Kugel (2006-04-16). "Specialty Museums: Finding Art, Not Crowds, in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  25. ↑ Christopher Gray (1995-01-29). "Streetscapes/The Master Apartments; A Restoration for the Home of a Russian Philosopher". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  26. ↑ Squires, Emily; Len Belzer (2000). Spiritual Places. Cosimo, Inc. p. 86. ISBN 1931044031.
  27. ↑ "Nicholas Roerich Museum (New York)". roerich.org/museum. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  28. ↑ "Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace". Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  29. ↑ "American-Russian Cultural Association". roerich-encyclopedia. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Annual Report". onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  31. ↑ "The Philosophy of Living Ethics and Its Interpreters" (PDF). Russian Studies in Philosophy. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  32. ↑ "Roerich’s spirit lights up Kullu Valley". Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  33. ↑ "Charter of the World Organisation of Culture of Health (Russian: Устав)". Kult-zdor.ru. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  34. ↑ Skumin, V. A. "Culture of Health Is a Science of Future". Kult-zdor.ru. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  35. ↑ Grantzev, V. I. "Критический анализ идеологии "Нью Эйдж" и оценка её общественной опасности" [A critical analysis of the ideology of the "New Age" and an assessment of its threat to society]. Orthodox-institute.ru. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  36. ↑ Grantzev, V. I. "Критический анализ идеологии "Нью Эйдж" и оценка ее общественной опасности. Текст" [A critical analysis of the ideology of the "New Age" and an assessment of its threat to society. Text]. www.scienceandapologetics.org. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  37. ↑ Goraschuk, V. P. (2004). Теоретичні і методологічні засади формування культури здоров’я школярів. Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора педагогічних наук із спеціальності 13.00.01 – загальна педагогіка та історія педагогіки [Theoretical and methodological principles of pupils’ health culture forming. Thesis for a Doctor’s degree on speciality 13.00.01 – general pedagogics and history of pedagogics] (in Ukrainian). Kharkov: avtoreferat.net. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  38. ↑ Skumin, Victor (2002). Молитвы, гимны, притчи Культуры Здоровья [Culture of Health: prayers, hymns, parables] (in Russian). Cheboksary: To Health via Culture. ISBN 5-88167-018-3. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  39. 1 2 Skumin, Victor (2007). Гимны Культуры Здоровья [Gimns of Culture of Health] (in Russian). Cheboksary: To Health via Culture. ISBN 978-5-88167-030-6. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  40. ↑ "K zdorovʹi︠u︡ cherez kulʹturu: zhurnal Mezhdunarodnogo obshchestvennogo dvizhenii︠a︡ "K zdorovʹi︠u︡ cherez kulʹturu"" [To health via culture: journal of the World Health Culture Organization]. catalog.loc.gov. OCLC 70966742. Retrieved January 26, 2015.

Sources

External links

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