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The Conventions


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The Conventions

The term "convention" was used for the first time in 1911. The conventions were the place where the foundations of communal life were laid. Each participant felt strongly that he belonged to the community.

The conventions were held near the town of Tarnovo, in Anastas Boynov's country house which was surrounded by an orchard. A specially appointed committee took care of the event's organization. The guests were accommodated in nearby houses or in hotels in Tarnovo. Some brought tents. In the improvised camp, the atmosphere was one of cooperation. The participants took turns in volunteer duties. In later years, a password was introduced for entering the camp: "strength", "life", "love", etc. The gate was guarded but the principle of openness was preserved in all conventions. Early in the morning, all participants would meet the rising sun. They would say a series of formulas, prayers, and songs. These were followed by physical exercises. Immediately after them came the Master's lecture. Sometimes he gave two or three lectures in the course of the day. In the remaining time, he conversed with the participants. Children were sometimes brought to the camps by their parents. Teachers took charge of them, applying the new methods they had learned from the Master. The teachers' group was always the most active one in all camps. They showed particular interest in the new ideas and in their future application in schools. The house had two rooms. In one of them, the lectures were held. The other one, revered as a sacred place, was like an altar: only people who had been personally invited by the Master could go in for a vigil or prayer. The main power of attraction in the camps, however, was the Word of the Master. It conveyed a new attitude to human life and offered explanations, guidelines, and methods for spiritual work. Every participant went home with a notebook full of instructions, formulas, prayers, fasting days and a variety of advice, for a whole year till the next convention.

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Anastas Boynov's house in Tumovo.

Method for the strengthening of Virtue

This year each of you will plant 10 plum seeds, 10 apple seeds, 10 cherry seeds and 10 pear seeds. Fertilise them and take good care of them

Method for the strengthening of Justice

During the year, you will water 40 fruit trees. While you do that, clench your fists and say: "I want to be just!" The meaning of this is: as I tend the trees, the Lord will tend me.

Method for the strengthening of Truth

During this year, you will find at least 40 beings who are in some way downtrodden or in distress, and you will comfort them in the name of Truth.

On the 29th of August 1925, Peter Dunov was suddenly arrested in Tarnovo. Martial law had been imposed, and the convention " was being held without a permit from the authorities. The next morning Dunov was released and he left for Sofia. In the fall of the same year, the inhabitants of Tarnovo demanded that the conventions be banned. That was the end of Peter Deunov's activity in Tarnovo. He continued his spiritual work in Sofia.

 

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