Krisnamurti Heralds New Civilization, Says Annie Besant

Oakland, California, 1926

HINDU HERALDS NEW CIVILIZATION, SAYS MRS. BESANT

Theosophists' Head Speaking in Oakland Says Krishnamurti Is Vehicle

Predicting a new civilization to be founded on the truths to be expounded by her ward, Krishnamurti, Mrs. Annie Besant, president of the International Theosophical society, spoke on "The Coming of the World Teacher" last night at the Auditorium theater. A large portion of the audience which had expected the young Hindu to come here to attend the lecture were disappointed.

Krishnamurti, according to Mrs. Besant, is the chosen vehicle through which the spirit of Christ is to return to the world.

"Since our race, the Aryan, was cradled in Central Asia," said Mrs. Besant, "there have been five manifestations of the Christ spirit on earth.

WARNS HEARERS

"Last December at the great world convention of theosophists at Adyar, India, Krishnamurti was speaking before an audience of 5000 persons, warning his hearers of the imminent coming of the Messiah. Hardly had he said the words, when he added, 'He is here!' Krishnamurti gave a sudden start, then his lips moved, but the voice was not Krishnamurti's. It was the softest, sweetest voice imaginable. The Messiah spoke briefly and closed with these words: 'I come not to tear down but to reform; not to destroy but to build.' Immediately afterward Krishnamurti sought his couch where I found him. He seemed to be coming out of a deep sleep.

"Since that time," Mrs. Besant continued, "the spirit of Christ has returned to Krishnamurti's body, each time remaining longer than the last."

TELLS OF DISCOVERY

The theosophist head recounted her discovery of Krishnamurti in 1909, when she became his legal guardian. "At that time," she says, "I was assured that if he proved worthy in his manhood, then the Christ would use him on His next visit to the world. He grew up without formal education. He never attended public school or university, although some persons assert he was at Oxford. He never touches meat, never drinks alcohol, nor smokes."

Mrs. Besant closed her address with the prediction that another great war will wipe out civilization. "It will mean the suicide of the world. The world has come to a fork in the road. One leads upward to brotherhood and cooperation, the other downward to dissension, war and destruction. The world must take its choice. It may be that the coming of the world teacher will put an end to all wars."

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, September 28, 1926, page 12.