Why Theosophy?

The Theosophical Society was founded in New York in 1875, and this exhibition presents the early history of its Hungarian branch in the context of the intellectual and social life of the period, first and foremost in Budapest. In the changing world of the late nineteenth century, when financial wealth and materialist science became the focus of humanity's attention, the spiritual side of existence began to fade away. Theosophy sought to create a new worldview based on total harmony between humankind and the cosmos. Its aim was to uncover, with the aid of Masters and initiates, the shared ancient wisdom that had once belonged to all humans, and thereby to reveal the secrets of the mystery of existence. Theosophy thus researched the esoteric side of all religions, and by understanding this knowledge and collating all the hidden wisdom, it attempted to outline the means for creating a world based on the spiritual. In Hungary, Theosophy was already present in smaller groups by 1905, and from 1907 it operated under the organisation known as the Hungarian Theosophical Society. Many of Hungary's most eminent figures were members, in particular the new middle class intelligentsia, artists, writers, actors, scholars, and people performing serious social functions.