By Marly Winckler

In the lecture THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY AND THE INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN UNION: AN ANCIENT PARTNERSHIP I explored the involvement of prominent figures from the Theosophical world, such as Rukmini Devi and Geoffrey Hodson, in the International Vegetarian Union (IVU).



The IVU was founded in 1908 in Dresden, Germany, being the oldest international vegetarian organization.



In 2008 IVU celebrate its centenary - in Dresden



The first 50 years





Request to hold a World Vegetarian Congress in India

Rukmini Devi Arundale, was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam, and an activist for animal welfare. She was vice-president of IVU for 31 years, and organized the first IVU Congress outside Europe in 1947, which drew crowds and was attended by political, religious, and cultural authorities, including the President of India and the Dalai Lama. Rukmini founded the Indian Vegetarian Congress, of which later Radhar Burnier was vicepresident. Rukmini Devi features in India Today’s list of ‘100 People Who Shaped India’.



The 15th World Vegetarian Congress - in India




Pioneer schools linking vegetarianism with education



Rukmini Devi Arundale



Gloria Gasque - the first woman president of IVU



The Indian Vegetarian Congress - 1959



Geoffrey Hodson

Geoffrey Hodson was the Director of Studies at the School of Wisdom of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, India, for some years. He was also the vice-president of IVU for 27 years and the founder and president of the New Zealand Vegetarian Society. Both Theosophical leaders, Rukmini and Hodson, were passionate advocates of vegetarianism, not only for ethical reasons but also for its believed benefits to health and spiritual evolution. Their contributions to the vegetarian movement and IVU were examined in this presentation, highlighting the importance of practical idealism in promoting healthier and more compassionate lifestyles.



Helen and Scott Nearing

 
Dr M. M. Bhamgara



Diana Chapotin and Michael Chapotin



Nathaniel Altman and Victoria Moran



Dr Anna Kingsford



The Countess Constance Wachtmeister



Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater





Lady Dowding



Lady Emily Lutyens



The International Vegetarian Union - IVU




The keepter of Vegetarianism History





IVU today




IVU next World Vegan Festival

See also Monte Verità and Beyond: A History of Utopias, Vegetarianism, and Alternative Lifestyles