An expression used by Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater in some of their talks and writings about J. Krishnamurti. The popular press misinterpreted their statements and reported that they expected a “New Messiah.” According to Besant, she had carefully explained that Krishnamurti might, if he was found worthy, be used as a vehicle for the “World Teacher” when He again wished to speak to the world (The Theosophist, September 1926, pp. 638-9).

In a lecture given in Stockholm in 1913, Besant identified the World Teacher as a Bodhisattva, a being who had attained the essence of wisdom (Superhuman Men, T.P.S. London, 1913, p. 37).

See also Krishnamurti, Jiddu.

P.S.H.

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