Duncan Greenlees

Duncan Greenlees (1899–1966) was a writer, theosophist and educationist of English origin.

Early life

Duncan Greenlees was born in East Africa to parents of English origin^[1]. He had his early education in England. On completion of his studies, he moved to India where he was drawn towards the Theosophical Movement and served in one of the schools which Annie Besant founded.

Indian Independence Movement

Being a close associate of Annie Besant, Greenlees like her, was drawn to the Indian independence movement. Later, he became a fervent Gandhian and participated in his non-violent struggle against British rule. When India got independence in 1947, Greenlees was appointed to draft the new nation's education policy^[2]. Gandhi and Greenlees exchanged letters on various topics.

Later life

Duncan Greenlees was simple, down to earth school teacher and Principal in South India from 1926 onwards. He taught English to Madanpalle High School students. He had already done translation work of ancient books on civilizations of Egyptian lands. He was Roman Catholic Christian from English parents. He was born in South Africa on Sivaratri Night in 1899. He had love for all faiths. He looked only virtuous side of all religions and never enter into any controversy on religious matters. He was a true theosophist. Through spiritual knowledge and gnosis, he was enlightened and liberated soul. He used to spend hours and hours in meditation at beaches of Tamil land in South India.

He wrote to Gandhi, that he needed only that much as to take care of his physical body, showing that he did not aspire to become a rich person. Most importantly he was a very modest and unassuming personality. He had no desire for fame and popularity.

Greenlees retired from active politics after India's independence and spent his time researching religion and theosophy. He wrote 14 small "World Gospel" books about various religions and faiths. Some of these books have become rare and are hard to find. He died in the year 1966 at the age of 67.

Works

Greenlees wrote the 'World Gospel Series' from 1949 to 1966 following his retirement from active politics. He was not much of a politician but a humble social worker. His talks with Ramana Maharshi and correspondence with Gandhi were purely spiritual and of devotional nature.^{[clarification needed]}

• The Gospel of Islam No.1
• The Gospel of China No.2
• The Gospel of Hermes No.3 (1949)
• The Gospel of the Jesus No.4
• The Gospel of Zarathushtra No.5
• The Gospel of the Mystic Christ No.6
• The Gospel of Narada No.7* The Gospel of Peace:Guru Granth Sahib No.8
• The Gospel of the Pyramids No.9
• The Gospel of Advaita No.10 (1953)
• The Gospel of Israel No.11
• The Gospel of the Prophet Mani No.12
• The Gospel of the Gnostics No.13
• The Gospel of Sri Krishna No.14

He also published The Song of Divine Love (Gita-Govinda) of Sri Jayadeva.

References

1. ^ N.V.Ramana Murthy, Variety in Masters-IV
2. ^ [Preface to The Gospel of Zarathushtra by Duncan Greenlees]

External links

• 'Gospel of the Gnostics' by Duncan Greenlees from Googlebooks.com
• The Gospel of Hermes by Duncan Greenlees, From Googlebooks.com

Persondata
Name	Greenlees, Duncan
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Date of birth	1899
Place of birth
Date of death	1966
Place of death