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As a painter, Roerich is usually grouped with the Russian Symbolists. His best-known paintings (generally tempera on canvas or cardboard) feature old Russian churches, Himalayan landscapes, or religious scenes representing various Eastern religions. He also painted the interiors of several churches, as well as the backdrops for a number of operas, including the premier of Stravinsky's ''Sacre du printemps,.'' as well as the interiors of several Russian churches. Museums of his artwork exist in New York City, Moscow, and Naggar (Himanchal Pradesh, India), among other places.

The Roerichs joined the Theosophical Society in 1920, Nikolai having been exposed to Buddhism through working on a Tibeto-Mongolian temple in [[Saint Petersburg]]. As a worldwide schism developed among Theosophists over the claims of Annie Besant and the young Krishnamurti, the Roerichs began receiving their own revelations from the "Masters" (also known as Adepts or Mahatmas) from their Central Asian stronghold, including the Master "M" (for "Morya") of Theosophical lore. These revelations ("M" is said to represent a certain Brotherhood of Adepts headquartered in Russian) became the series of Agni Yoga booksHimalayas, also known as the Teaching of Living Ethics (Zhivaya etika, Живая этика). Later volumes claimed a cosmic significance for Helena, called whose members assist in the "Mother process of Agni Yoga," as world savioressspiritual evolution.

Between 1924 and 1928 Roerich led a U.S.-flagged expedition through various regions "M's" revelations (in Russian) became the series of Central Asia including Chinese Turkestanseventeen Agni Yoga books, Siberia, Mongolia, and Tibet. The journey is described in Roerich's travelogue ''Altai-Himalaya'' also known as the Teaching of Living Ethics (which incidentally reports an early UFO sightingZhivaya etika, over Eastern Tibet in 1926Живая этика). Also relevant is his essay ''Shambhala,'' describing These stress the perception and development of unseen spiritual potencies. Later volumes claimed a paradisial Buddhist kingdom which only cosmic significance for Helena (called the elect may find"Mother of Agni Yoga") as world savioress.

Between 1924 and 1928 Roerich led a U.S.-flagged expedition through various regions of Central Asia including Chinese Turkestan, Siberia, Mongolia, and Tibet. The journey is described in Roerich's travelogue ''Altai-Himalaya'' (which incidentally reports an early UFO sighting, over Eastern Tibet in 1926). Also relevant is his essay ''Shambhala,'' describing a paradisial Buddhist kingdom which only the elect may find.  During a secret side-visit to Moscow, Roerich (ostensibly acting on the instructions of his Masters) approached the Soviet authorities with a proposal to establish a new Central Asian Buddhist state, in hopes of fulfilling prophecies related to Shambhala. His proposal was received coldly (as was the Masters' endorsement of V.I. Lenin as a Mahatma, equal to Jesus or Buddha), and the Roerichs soon felt it adviseable to flee Moscow.

Roerich was also instrumental in promoting the 1935 "Roerich Pact" among 21 American nations, which established the "Banner of Peace" symbol--three red dots surrounded by a red circle, on a white flag--as a protection for cultural sites such as museums and libraries. (I.e., the signatories undertook not to bomb sites displaying the symbol.) The symbol is now used primarily by Roerich groups.

*[http://www.roerich.org New York's Roerich Museum] Includes an on-line gallarygallery. *[http://www.agni-yoga.org New York's Agni Yoga Society] Includes revealed material from "the Masters" received by Nicholas and Helena Roerich.

*[http://www.agniroerich-yogamuseum.org The Agni Yoga Societyru/eng/museum/ Moscow's Roerich Museum] Includes revealed material from "the Masters" received by Nicholas and Helena Roerich.