In many legends about the Treasure of the World, the Stone is identified with the Holy Grail. According to some ideas, the Grail is the sacred Chalice, from which Christ, together with his disciples, received Holy Communion during the Last Supper.
In the epic poem "Parsifal" by the 13th century German writer von Eschenbach, the Grail appears as a Stone, whose homeland is heavenly paradise. This Stone was brought to Earth by the Angels, and its name "should be read in the stars."
In the 19th century, the poem inspired the composer Richard Wagner to create the opera of the same name, which the Roerich family loved so much. According to another curious version, the Grail is a jewel from the crown of Lucifer. Archangel Michael, in the fight against Lucifer, tore off the crown from his head, while the Stone fell out of the crown and ended up on Earth.
For the first time, the mention of the Grail in the records of Elena Ivanovna appeared at the very beginning of High Communication with the Teacher, when a text of extraordinary strength and beauty was recorded called "Knights of the Grail".
“So they recognized the Grail. We sat at a round table, removing the white coverlet from it. A crimson tongue of flame hung over them. And above the image of the Holy Dove fluttered. Wings shimmered in quivering rays. And faces of inexplicable beauty looked from the walls. Hands of unspeakable charm were lifted up and sacred compositions were sprinkled from vials. On the chest of each rested a talisman, found by exact decree and preceded by an image given the day before it was found. Faces shone with blue light and white clothes shone. And it was incomprehensible that a purple flame would illuminate with such a blue light. And the throne was lifted, and the deep sounds of the Blagovest buzzed in the musical instrument. The whirlwind blows roamed both on the faces and on the hands of those who were sitting and touched their unseen handshaking. Wonderful words were composed and faith was seething. And the whisper of life no longer constrained the soul. And the confession of the best thoughts was ascended. They followed the upper paths. Ah, I won't add a single word! They were called by the sound of an invisible string. Warned by knocking on the table. Beautiful images were drawn with closed eyes. A cool whirlwind blew, and white, green, purple and blue halos shimmered. Those were the days !!! And it was hard to keep a secret and not to warn or announce. Who's coming? Are the curious? Or asking about tomorrow? And what will you say to the harmony that says: “If they come, you say - it will be blessed! If they do not come, you will say - it will be blessed! And the ascended you will say, and the burdened you will say. And in pure thoughts the old dream of life has grown: To leave, to be taken for labor and for the joy of knowledge. They will come. So they will just come in the morning. Doors will be opened for them. They will come in and cleanse. They will destroy with good fire unnecessary earthly objects and, having put them to sleep, will transfer fairy tales to the country, where there are treasures of good, where are the storehouses of wisdom, where sacred images should appear.
Ah, the dream of life! Is it time for execution? And confirmations appear in orderly rows. And every word from above finds an explanation in previous deeds, dreams and feelings.
We knew, we felt. And through the horror of life it approached and with a light wing, a mountain breeze swept around before. And if the strings had not sounded yet and if they had not looked from the walls of Lika, then in dreams they were already close, and the "accidents of life" had been woven into a coherent story before. Ah, do not destroy the wondrous that we have seen. And where to find a fortress in order to maintain the vigor of the mountain vortex in life? Myriads of fish are sweeping by. Abyss of all-seeing eyes open. Mysterious whirlwinds whirl. Whirlwinds of knowledge! And wonderful hands offer sacred objects and light a candle in their hand. Save this light for us. Let us see and know our tale: "I am your good, I am your smile, I am your joy, I am your peace, I am your fortress, I am aspirations, I am your knowledge!" (Diary, 1920-03-04).
This is what the Living Ethics Teaching says about the Grail: “People called the Stone the Grail and many other names” (Supermundane, 134). And Elena Ivanovna in her Letters repeatedly wrote that the Holy Grail is the sacred Stone of Brotherhood: “Researchers of symbolism associated with the Holy Grail see in this Chalice a Stone that is now in the world, accompanying historical events, after which it must return home, in the Heart of Asia. Such an interpretation is also close to the truth (02.04.36)
It is not by chance that the greatest teraphim of the Brotherhood - the Stone of Orion - is associated with the Chalice, because: “The Chalice symbol has been an affirmation of Service since ancient times. The gifts of the Higher Forces are collected in the Chalice. They give from the Chalice. The symbol of the Cup has always meant selflessness. The One Who Carries the Cup is the Carrier of Feat. Each high deed can be designated by the symbol of the Cup. All the highest for the good of humanity needs this sign. The Chalice of the Grail and the Chalice of the Heart, which has given itself to the Great Service, is the Cosmic Magnet itself. The Heart of the Cosmos is reflected in this great symbol. All images of the heroes of the spirit can be depicted as carrying the Cup. All Creation is reflected in
To the cup of the fiery spirit. After all, the Chalice contains all the age-old accumulations that gather around the grain of the spirit. As a great symbol, one must accept the confirmation of the Cup in everyday life. Both children and young people need to be taught to think about the Cup. It is necessary to understand all the variety of images of the great symbol of the Chalice”(The Fiery World, parts 3, 49).
But Elena Ivanovna informs that not only the Stone, but also the Chalice really exists among the most sacred objects of the Brotherhood - this is the Chalice of Buddha: “But the Chalice also exists, and it is sent before the beginning of the New Era to where the Teaching of Kalachakra will be approved. There are many legends about this Cup too. One of them says that this Chalice is always brought unexpectedly and through the air. So in due time it was brought to the Lord Buddha. The origin of this Chalice is Egyptian, and its antiquity is determined about 12 thousand years BC. After the death of Buddha, this Chalice was at one time in the Temple in Karashar, from where it disappeared, and since then it has been kept in Shambhala. According to all the legends, before the New Epoch of Maitreya this Chalice will reappear (maybe it has already appeared)”(Letter dated 02.04.36).
This postscript in brackets was not made by chance. On January 3, 1934, the Bowl of Buddha was miraculously sent to the Roerichs, to Kullu, from the area near Lake Lob-nor. As well as receiving the Stone, so the appearance of the Chalice of Buddha became another major milestone in the spiritual movement of the 20th century. The sacred object of the Brotherhood, the most ancient teraphim, was henceforth in the hands of the Roerichs, once again confirming their highest status of the Trusted Brotherhood of the Teachers of mankind. The simultaneous sending of both the Stone and the Chalice of Buddha proves the uniqueness of the Roerich family's Mission. In the East, this relic - the Bowl of Buddha - is revered as the greatest shrine.
According to ancient legends, the four Peacekeepers brought four bowls of black amber stone to the Buddha. Accepting this gift, He put them into one another, and they miraculously became one Cup, and at the edges of the new Cup one could see all four layers that form its thickness. After the death of the Lord Buddha, the Chalice was kept in the temple in Karashar, which the Roerichs visited during the expedition. “There is an assumption that there was a large monastery in these places, where the Chalice of Buddha was located, which disappeared from Peshawar” (N. Roerich “Altai - Himalayas”, p. 279).
As in the case of the Stone, long before the appearance of the Chalice, the Teacher clarified its innermost meaning and gave instructions on its purpose: “I build the steps of the future. Remember: I am walking in the wilderness, I carry the Cup covered with a shield. The Buddha bowl is a symbol of service. The shield is a sign of achievement, all together is a symbol of the great, the gift of the indicated banner”(24.09.24). “It is necessary to institute work for the construction of the Temple of the Chalice … The Chalice will be kept in the silver Ark in front of the Image of Buddha. Then over the Ark - the banners of Maitreya”(16.07.24).
In his letter S. N. Roerich reports the following about the Chalice of Buddha: “This great sacred relic has appeared again, thus confirming the prophecy given thousands of years ago” (S. N. Roerich, Letters, vol. 1, p. 137). “I will cite … a translation of a small fragment from the Travels of Xuan-Tsan, written about 11-12 centuries ago. I quote literally: “The Chalice traveled from place to place, moving mysteriously through the air, working miracles for the good of people, until it disappeared from sight in the palace of the Dragon King Sagara (in Shambhala - note by S. N. Roerich). There she will remain until the arrival of Maitreya Buddha, when she reappears to be a witness.
According to some texts, the Chalice was once shattered by the wicked king Mihirakula, but its fragments rejoined. Since no one lower than Buddha can (use) her, only Buddha can take her from her resting place. Motivated by the hidden impulses of human karma, it moves from one chosen place to another, just as Buddhism spread or waned. Yes, truly, the time has come! I date the Cup from 10 to 12,000 years old. There is a water pattern on it, which can be correlated with the sign of Aquarius”(SN Roerich, Letters, vol. 1, pp. 187 - 188).
Zinaida Fosdick saw this relic when she was staying with Svyatoslav Nikolaevich in Bangalore in 1961, this is how she describes this event in her diary: “On February 12, I saw the Begging Chalice of the Lord Buddha, miraculously given to Elena Ivanovna …
It is impossible to describe the feelings when you look at this sacred object and then, when he (S. N. - Ch.) Gave me to hold it in my hands …
This bowl is made of brownish clay, with light gaps, there are clear fingerprints on the outside, i.e. as the Buddha held it in his hand, it is held in the palm, a feeling of great density and strength in it. Inside, one can see like four sections in the form of triangles, a row of lines imprinted in depth, like a double letter "M" in a wavy pattern, and a crack on the side. Feeling of immense antiquity. She came, wrapped in very old, shabby material, to Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich in a miraculous way. Svyatoslav keeps it”(Z. Fosdick, Indian Diary (1961), Bulletin of Ariavarta, 2003, No. 1,2, pp. 86-87).
Both the greatest shrines - the Orion Stone and the Buddha Chalice - have many similarities and properties. They originate from ancient times, are sacred objects in the history of mankind and teraphim of the Brotherhood of Light. Both the Stone and the Chalice, moving across the Earth, find themselves in places that are centers of evolutionary work. The new movement of these teraphim marks a new stage in evolutionary construction. The stone is sent by the Trustee on the eve of the great historic twists and turns. The Chalice of Buddha confirms a new stage in the development of the Teaching of Light, the Unified Teaching of Wisdom, given to humanity in accordance with cosmic cycles. Therefore, the Chalice of Buddha was handed over to the Roerichs before the onset of the Age of Maitreya and a new extension of the Kalachakra Teaching, which was embodied in the Teaching of Living Ethics. Stone and Chalice, capable of flashing with amazing light and manifesting tongues of flame,in the consciousness of humanity, they naturally merge into one sacred object, which becomes the focus of spiritual quests. According to legends, only purity of heart and striving for the Highest help to find and contemplate it. “There is an indication from Tripitaka (a collection of Buddhist sacred texts, compiled shortly after the death of Buddha Shakyamuni at the First Buddhist Council - Ch.) That the Buddha indicated that His Chalice in the time of new achievements of the world will become an object of search, but only pure bearers of the Community can find it … So-so!" (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, p. 333).compiled shortly after the death of Buddha Shakyamuni at the First Buddhist Council - Ch.) that the Buddha indicated that His Chalice in the time of new achievements of the world will become an object of search, but only pure carriers of the Community can find it. So-so!" (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, p. 333).compiled shortly after the death of Buddha Shakyamuni at the First Buddhist Council - Ch.) that the Buddha indicated that His Chalice in the time of new achievements of the world will become an object of search, but only pure bearers of the Community can find it. So-so!" (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, p. 333).
From the diary entries of Elena Ivanovna, we learn that the outline of the constellation Orion, which is familiar to us, does not coincide with the secret knowledge about it of the Teachers of the Brotherhood. The actual configuration of the stars of Orion was shown to Helena Roerich, about which the words of the Teacher were recorded: “I feel when it is possible to show the angles of the constellation” (05.11.23). To her question: “Is the constellation Orion outlined correctly?”, The Teacher answered: “No, I don’t see two big stars. - Therefore, my limitation in the form of a bowl is correct? - Yes - yes - yes "(11.11.25) The outline of Orion in the form of a Chalice is deeply symbolic, as the best reflection of the image of the Great Service. The stone from Orion not only confirms the cosmic connection of the Earth with this constellation, but also testifies to the great help to humanity, which is provided by the cosmic Teachers. It is quite possible that it was from the Lords of Orion,Holders of the Heavenly Chalice, a tradition has gone on Earth to depict all Servants of the Common Good with the Chalice in their hands. “The cults of Zoroaster depict a Cup with flame. The same flaming Cup was minted on Hebrew silver shekels from the time of Solomon and earlier. In the Hindu excavations of the Chandragupta Maurya era, we see the same powerfully stylized image. Sergius of Radonezh, working to educate Russia, received communion from the flaming Chalice. In Tibetan depictions, bodhisattvas hold the Cup, flourishing with tongues of fire. We remember the Chalice of Druids' life. The Holy Grail was burning. Not by imagination, but precisely by deeds, the great teachings of all ages are intertwined. The tongue of pure fire! " (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, pp. 53-54). The same flaming Cup was minted on Hebrew silver shekels from the time of Solomon and earlier. In the Hindu excavations of the Chandragupta Maurya era, we see the same powerfully stylized image. Sergius of Radonezh, working to educate Russia, received communion from the flaming Chalice. In Tibetan depictions, bodhisattvas hold the Cup, flourishing with tongues of fire. We remember the Chalice of Druids' life. The Holy Grail was burning. Not by imagination, but precisely by deeds, the great teachings of all ages are intertwined. The tongue of pure fire! " (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, pp. 53-54). The same flaming Cup was minted on Hebrew silver shekels from the time of Solomon and earlier. In the Hindu excavations of the Chandragupta Maurya era, we see the same powerfully stylized image. Sergius of Radonezh, working to educate Russia, received communion from the flaming Chalice. In Tibetan depictions, bodhisattvas hold the Cup, flourishing with tongues of fire. We remember the Chalice of Druids' life. The Holy Grail was burning. Not by imagination, but precisely by deeds, the great teachings of all ages are intertwined. The tongue of pure fire! " (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, pp. 53-54).flourished with tongues of fire. We remember the Chalice of Druids' life. The Holy Grail was burning. Not by imagination, but precisely by deeds, the great teachings of all ages are intertwined. The tongue of pure fire! " (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, pp. 53-54).flourished with tongues of fire. We remember the Chalice of Druids' life. The Holy Grail was burning. Not by imagination, but precisely by deeds, the great teachings of all ages are intertwined. The tongue of pure fire! " (N. K. Roerich, Altai - Himalayas, pp. 53-54).
It is no coincidence that another painting by Nicholas Roerich is associated with the constellation Orion - "The Cup of Christ", written in 1925. "The Chalice of Christ" - the great Teacher in the Garden of Gethsemane, among the olive trees, kneels down, praying for the Chalice, which flickers so unusually in the green-violet haze of the dark southern night. The image of Christ is infinitely simple, humane, illuminated, turned to the constellation Orion - to the Future. In this predawn hour, everything so intensely foreshadows the approach of a great cosmic feat”(R. RUDZITIS Cosmic strings in the works of Nicholas Roerich). Under the night sky, sparkling with stars, among the rocks, illuminated by soft light, is the kneeling figure of Christ. His face in reverent prayer is turned up to the sky, where a group of stars can be seen, with their outlines resembling the bowl of the constellation Orion. Behind the back of Christin a valley hidden by fog lies a sleeping city, in which, at dawn, the Mystery of the Cup of Atonement will begin for the Savior.
The Living Ethics Teaching clarifies the true meaning of the Chalice symbol - the acceptance and accumulation of spiritual gifts that are used to serve the World. The most precious thing in a person - his heart - is connected with the Cup. It is no accident that in ancient Egypt, in the sacred hieroglyphic writing, the heart was always depicted as a cup. The missions of the Saviors of mankind are always associated with the images of the Chalice of Atonement, the Chalice of poison or the Chalice of the poisoned. All Servants of Light, carrying responsible orders of the Brotherhood, are persecuted and abused by ignorant and rude humanity. To accept the burdens of imperfect humanity upon oneself is the essence of the Great Service. Therefore, one of the stages of the spiritual path is called drinking the Chalice of Poison. “In all Teachings, the symbol of the drinking of the bowl of poison by all the Bearers of Light is imprinted. The beauty of the feat is emphasized by this manifestation of darkness. The blows of darkness are needed to carve out sparks of Light”(Letter from EIR dated 07.12.35). Especially vividly in the history of the world is captured the feat of Christ, who drank the Cup of poison in the name of saving the planet. The Living Ethics mentions the ancient Mystery, which was called the "Chalice of Feat": "A four-sided vessel was filled with pomegranate juice. The inside of the vessel is plated with silver and the outside is covered with red copper. The confirmation of the feat was accompanied by the raising of the Chalice. After that, the juice was poured out on four sides as a willingness to serve the good without restrictions”(Agni Yoga, 462). The inside of the vessel is plated with silver and the outside is covered with red copper. The confirmation of the feat was accompanied by the raising of the Chalice. After that, the juice was poured out on four sides as a willingness to serve the good without restrictions”(Agni Yoga, 462). The inside of the vessel is plated with silver and the outside is covered with red copper. The confirmation of the feat was accompanied by the raising of the Chalice. After that, the juice was poured out on four sides as a willingness to serve the good without restrictions”(Agni Yoga, 462).
It was this Mystery, based on the Sacrament of the Great Sacrifice, that was accomplished by Christ, who tried to affirm in the consciousness of his disciples the symbols of selfless Service to the world and readiness to suffer for the Truth. A bowl filled with cedar resin was used in the Mysteries of the Druids and in the initiation of kings. “Also in the rituals of consecration of the kings of ancient Khorasan, a Cup of cedar resin appeared. The Druids also called the Cup of cedar resin the Cup of life. And only after it was replaced by blood with loss of spirit consciousness. The fire of Zoroaster came from the burning of resin in the Chalice”(Illumination, IV, 18). Khorasan is a region in the north-east of Iran, where peoples from Central Asia migrated, carrying with them the cult of the Fire Cup.
Sometimes live fire was replaced by a vegetable substrate belonging to the fire element and being a life-giving agent, for example, cedar resin or pomegranate juice. In the mysteries of the ancient Hindus, there was a Chalice with Vedic soma, in the ancient Persians - with Zoroastrian haoma. In Christianity, the ancient mysteries of the Chalice were developed in the sacrament of the Chalice of the Eucharist, based on the sacrament of the Chalice of the Last Supper.
Author: Samir7
