See Also: Krishnamurti, Jiddu(encyclopedia)

Krishnamurti, Jiddu (sh)




born 1895
died 1986

Indian spiritual leader.

He was educated in theosophy by Annie Besant, who proclaimed him the coming "World Teacher," a messiah-like figure who would bring about world enlightenment. He became a teacher and writer, and from the 1920s he spent much time in the U.S. and Europe. He broke with formal theosophy in 1929 and renounced any claims to being a World Teacher, but he continued to be a popular lecturer. His desire, he said, was to set people free, a goal that could only be achieved through unflinching self-awareness. He established a number of Krishnamurti foundations in the U.S., Britain, and India to further his aims. His books include The Songs of Life (1931) and Commentaries on Living (1956-60).