Baba
Story: smoker
Namaskar,
In the month of April 1988, all-witnessing Baba graciously conducted the ERAWS LFT reporting session and blessed sadhakas with His darshan. On that particular occasion, all-witnessing Baba raised one point to an LFT who was the in-charge of one block-level school. Baba inquired why he, the LFT school-in-charge, had hired a teacher who has the negative habit of smoking. Baba then inquired why this teacher was still being allowed to smoke on the school premises.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In reporting Baba reveals the scene to all
Over the course of that memorable reporting session, Baba exposed how the school-in charge, i.e. the LFT, was suffering from a misguided sentimental attachment for that cigarette-smoking teacher whom he had hired. More than this Baba did not say at that moment. Just Baba told that it was due to this weakness that the LFT had employed that teacher at his school. Even though the LFT was fully aware that it was wrong to employ a teacher who smokes in one of our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha schools.
Then in a deliberate, step by step manner, Baba uncovered the entire history and inner secrets. By the end of the reporting session, all these following points came to the surface. First, Baba uncovered how the teacher who smoked was previously an acarya, an avadhuta. But then, unfortunately, that avadhuta got terribly degenerated due to his own poor choices and actions. And he started involving in all sorts of negative dealings. That escapee avadhuta was involved in one scandal after another. Even then the possibility was there to rectify himself. But ultimately this worker sealed his own fate by leaving his avadhuta ship and WT-ship. That worker broke his oaths and left, and that is why he is an escapee: he broke his lifelong commitment to Guru. In a very short span, that ex-avadhuta stopped following 16 Points and succumbed to unsavoury habits like smoking etc. Baba disclosed these facts in front of all.
Escapee avadhuta needed money
Baba then told that this escapee avadhuta became involved with a non-margii female, and ultimately he got married after having previously participated in so many nonsense affairs. This is the bleak history of that escapee avadhuta. Not surprisingly, in that degenerated condition this escapee avadhuta could not get a job, and he was suffering from serious financial problems. So then one day, even though he had this nasty smoking habit and was still engaging in anti-social behaviors, that degenerated escapee avadhuta shamelessly knocked on the door of our AMPS school in hopes of getting employed as a teacher.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
That escapee avadhuta went to that particular school in search of a job. The reason he chose this school was because when he was still wearing an avadhuta uniform, he was the one who initiated the LFT running that school. So this escapee avadhuta was the acarya of that LFT. And by relying on that prior link, the escapee cunningly got himself the teaching position by taking advantage of the sentimental feelings of that LFT, whom he had initiated years earlier. That is how this whole negative scenario happened.
The LFT still felt indebted to that escapee avadhuta since he had received his initiation from him. The confused LFT was still holding a lot of respect for that escapee avadhuta. He felt some allegiance towards him. And with his limited understanding, that LFT reasoned that: “Good or bad, whatever his conduct may be, still he is my acarya.” This was the way that LFT school-in-charge was thinking. Guided by that sentimental attachment, he hired that degenerated escapee avadhuta as a schoolteacher.
Baba told this entire history in that ERAWS LFT reporting session.
Baba's order:
do not treat escapee avadhuta as your acarya
Then Baba told there was only one single cause behind this entire negative affair. Baba explained that all this happened because the LFT was wrongly thinking that this escapee avadhuta was still his acarya.
At that point, by getting Baba's important guideline, we all understood how the whole situation went awry. On the one hand, the degenerated avadhuta knew he could get success by capitalising on the LFT’s sentimental attachment for him. And, on the other hand, in his naivete, innocence, and blind attachment, the LFT school-in-charge was living under the delusion that this escapee avadhuta was still his acarya. So he was holding a lot of respect for the escapee avadhuta and was still doing pranam to him etc. But, by Baba's way of explaining and dealing, it was clear to everyone that one should not harbor such respect for escapee avadhutas; nor should they be looked upon as acaryas.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Degenerated persons are not acaryas
The overall point was that we should not think that those degenerated persons who left their avadhuta ships are still the acaryas of those persons whom they initiated. Because those escapee avadhutas have nothing to do with being acarya. And in that very reporting session, Baba told, "A'ca'ran'a't pa'thayati yah sah a'ca'ryah", meaning: one who teaches through one's own conduct is an acarya.
In this way, we came to understand that an acarya is one who lives by an ideal code of conduct and has not broken their acarya oaths by leaving their avadhutaship. So those persons, who left their WT-ship etc and stopped all their dharmic practices and got wrapped up in all sorts of negative dealings, are not anybody's acarya anymore. This was one the main thing we all learned in that reporting session.
"Guru is your acarya"
Then Baba told one other very special point in that reporting session. He explained that for those persons whose acarya (a) acarya got degenerated and left, or (b) fell into poor conduct, then those persons should think that Guru is their acarya. That means those cases where an acarya has left the missio, or the Wt is not following Wt conduct rule, and is sleeping with the opposite sex, then Guru will take on the role of acarya for those sadhakas that were initiated by that such Wts. For those sadhakas, Baba will act in the dual role as both Guru and Acarya. That was one special benefit or outcome in all of this.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
No longer allowed to work at the school
At the end of the LFT reporting session, Baba also gave the immediate order that the escapee avadhuta, who was smoking and holding the position of teacher, should be removed from his job immediately. So that degenerated escapee avadhuta was no longer allowed to work at the school. And, not only that, this escapee avadhuta should be taken away from the school premises as quickly as possible. Because such a degenerated person has no right to teach in our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha schools.
If that escapee avadhuta had come for the basics of survival such as food we would certainly come to his rescue. But, here he was coming to work in a school; in that case, our first and foremost duty and allegiance is towards the safety and well-being of those children.
No undue respect given to escapee avadhuta
By this entire reporting session with Baba, many points became clear. The main one being that undue respect and importance should not be given to degenerated avadhutas or Wts who are not following their Wt conduct rules, and are sleeping with the opposite sex. One should not think that these persons are still something great or that they are still dedicated. In fact they are no longer acaryas. Baba made this point crystal-clear that day in the reporting session. Since then most people understood that no one should foolishly hold those escapee or degenerated avadhutas / Wts, or those Wts negligent in adhering to Wt conduct rules, in high regard.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
By the above reporting session with all-witnessing Baba, there are a number of key points to remember:
(a) In Ananda Marga Pracarka Samgha - and especially within our avadhuta ranks - bad conduct is not tolerated. That person should repent and rectify their behaviour. There is no second option.
(b) In the various religions and new-age groups etc, followers are respected on the point of money, social status, and material wealth etc. So-called gurus bless those who give big donations. On the path of Ananda Marga, there is no place for this. Everything is based upon the sincerity of conduct and one’s inner feelings of bhakti; worldly qualifications carry no importance. But these days, sadly, our AMPS is falling into this quagmire.
(c) Conduct is the top-most factor. Even if one is wearing the dress of an avadhuta, if their conduct is not proper, then do not recognise them as acaryas. That is against dharma to give respect to such degraded avadhutas.
(d) If your acarya has left their Wt-ship, or is till wearing the saffron garb but is not following their Wt conduct rules, and are sleeping with the opposite sex, then they are no longer your acarya. At that point, Guru becomes your acarya. So Guru will have two roles: Guru and acarya.
(e) If your own acarya or a local acarya has poor conduct, then in times of need you can always consult any other good WT and get their advice.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Seva Sundar
If some brahmacarii Wt left because of any reason and then Baba accepted them back and approved them as a margii then they are qualified.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
~ In-depth study ~
In April 1988, all-witnessing Baba graciously conducted the ERAWS LFT reporting session and blessed sadhakas with His darshan. As per the custom, all the LFTs appeared before Baba in their full dress and saffron gown; and, later when only the male Lfts remained, everyone removed that upper garment for the concluding section of the reporting with Baba. This was the standard way to appear before Sadguru Baba in Lft reporting sessions.
Teachers should not smoke
In Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, our standard for teachers is higher because our schools are not just for imparting academic knowledge, but aim towards character building and dharma pracara as well. So our teachers are not allowed to indulge in intoxicants of any kind, neither on nor off school premises. Our teachers are to maintain a high moral standard and they will be compensated appropriately - having a salary equal to or higher than a judge. Here the main idea is that our teachers must be of superlative integrity and conduct. They are not allowed to smoke etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "That is the moral character and conduct of teachers. Many teachers [in the general society] demonstrate a flagrant lack of restraint over their language. There are also teachers who, after discussing the abuses and evils of intoxicants in the classroom, immediately go outside and start smoking. This sets an extremely bad example." (1)
Avadhuta conduct
WT conduct rule states, "...Avadhuta shall not engage his ears in any obscene language or songs, touch any tamasik articles, see any depraving entity or pictures, go through any story, novel or fiction having even the slightest bit of sexual importance, eat, drink, or smoke any rajasik or tamasik things..." (2)
O bhakta! You must have all-round restraint
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Cakśuńá Saḿvaro Sádhu” O spiritual aspirant! O Bhikśu! O monk! O devotee! You should have proper control over your eyes; whatever will have bad effect on your mind, you must not see it. “Sádhu Sotena saḿvaro”. Whatever will have bad effect on your mind, O good man, you must not hear it. “Ghánena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your nose, “Sádhu Jibháya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your taste. “Káyena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your body. “Sádhu Vácáya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your language also; and “Savvatha Saḿvaro Bhikśu.” If you want emancipation, if you want liberation from worldly fetters, you must have all-round restraint." (3)
Dharma is sum total of your conduct
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Dharma is the assemblage of all your conduct” – the way you eat, the way you speak, the way you perform sa'dhana'. If your conduct is good, dharma is with you; if your conduct is not good, dharma is not with you. And if dharma is not with you, what comes about is your sarvana'sha, or sarva'tmaka vina'sha – that is, your physical, mental, and spiritual ruin....Conduct is the principal factor in dharma.” Be a sadácárii, a person of good conduct, and you will surely attain Paramátman." (4)
Acaryas must be of superlative character
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who have the responsibility to show the path to others should be of superlative character with the most refined conduct. They and their followers must move constantly towards all-round development and shreya [ultimate spiritual attainment]. Persons who teach such well-regulated behaviour to others by their own conduct are called ácáryas." (5)
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "Bear in mind that people may be harmed or misled by even a small weakness or defect in the conduct of an ácárya. Just as it is the duty of a father to educate his children properly by his good conduct, an ácárya or ácáryá should always instruct by his or her exemplary actions and words." (6)
One who teaches through one’s conduct is ácárya
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Do not accept the person’s ácárya-ship. It is a question of human rights, because Acárańát pát́hayati yah sah ácáryah – “One who teaches through one’s conduct is an ácárya.” If you cannot learn anything from the conduct and behaviour of a certain person, why should you accept that person as an ácárya/á?...If one’s conduct is not exemplary, he or she is not an ácárya/á." (7)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Remember, Ananda Marga is a man-making mission. Both quantity and quality are important. Everyone should be free to join Ananda Marga, to take part in social functions, etc., but only those established in Yama and Niyama may be given any position to work in society." (8)
In this entire topic, the term 'degenerated' has two meanings. First for those who leave their avadhuta ships, and second about those still in uniform yet indulge in negative behaviors. Both cases are degenerated and in neither instance should one be glorified or thought of as acarya. Those following groupism etc also come in this second category of degeneration.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
In Him,
Seva Sundar
References
1. Human Society - 1, Education
2. 32 Rules for Avadhutas / Wts, Point #32
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, The Fundamental Principles of Life
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Silent Action
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya
Plagiary?
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
Easiest way to recognise shudra, ksatriya, vipra, vaeshya
Note: In Prout philosophy, the terms shudra, ksatriya, vipra, and vaeshya are commonly. But some readers find it difficult to understand in a substantive way who these people are, and how to recognise them in the present day society. The following section is a very good description for understanding who is a vipra.
After reading Baba’s below guideline it will be clear that: Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, and Winston Churchill etc are negative vipras, i.e. recent and present day intellectual satans who created wars.
Prout philosophy states, “At the slightest sign from the vipras [defense ministers], major wars break out in different countries and states. The vipras [intellectual demons] themselves do not fight. By whispering of war in the ears of the king, they send kśatriya generals into battle. Kśatriya soldiers, running the risks for the vipras [intellectual satans], wage war on land, on sea and in the air, and the vipras [intellectual demons], understanding their physical and mental weaknesses, entice them with food or money, or inspire them with hollow, idealistic-sounding slogans, and land them in a holocaust.”
“Thus in the Vipra Age kśatriyas [military personnel] fight and die while shrewd vipra [defense] ministers receive triumphant ovations. This happens in every country where vipras [intellectual satans] play a dominant role. The names of vipra [defense] ministers are blazoned across the pages of history, but history does not record the numbers of soldiers who died on the battlefield or how many of them saw their golden dreams fade into darkness under cannon fire.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “When a vipra [defense] minister dies, the newspapers write it up elaborately. Condolence meetings are held; condolence messages come in by the thousands; flags are flown at half mast; and marble statues are erected at intersections in public parks. But the press will never acknowledge the kśatriyas [soldiers] whose blood enriched the ground for the harvest of victory. And actually, why should they? How can so many names be published in a newspaper anyway!”
“All the great warmongers, the great politicians of the world, belong to this vipra gang of satanic intellect. At their command, or due to their fiery lectures or diplomatic intrigues, millions of foolish shúdras have lost their lives and thousands of hot-blooded kśatriyas [soldiers] have served as instruments in the slaughter.”
“The pages of world history reveal that all the crusades and jihads of the Middle Ages were plotted by these satanic vipras [religious priests]. Caught in their intrigues, the shúdras [common mass] took the beatings; and the kśatriyas [soldiers] fought as religious warriors, but never thought deeply about whom they were fighting for.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “Was it only in the Middle Ages that this happened? In today’s world also, satanic vipras [war-mongering intellectuals], the protected agents of the capitalist vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters], have led and are continuing to lead millions of people along the path of death and destruction. Evil vipras [demonic intellectuals] are fanning the flames of the vaeshyas’ [wealthy exploiters] insatiable, demonic hunger. Neither the shúdra masses [common citizens] nor the warlike kśatriyas [soldiers] are responsible for the problem of the millions of refugees in different countries, for the heart-rending cries of the mothers, wives, sons and daughters of the soldiers who died on the battlefields, for the blazing flames of communal riots, for communalism itself, provincialism, nationalism and casteism. The responsibility lies with a small group of shrewd vipras [intellectual satans and religious priests] who, out of petty self-interest, have instigated the shúdras [common people] and kśatriyas [soldiers] to commit heinous acts.”
“The meanness and brutality of such vipras [intellectual demons] put on a ghoulish graveyard dance, seeming to make a mockery of the vipras’ intellect. In the Vipra Age the vipras [religious priests] drew power from this type of brutality, and through a staged display of black magic, vipras bestrode society. In the Vaeshya Age the vipras [intellectual demons] commit similar sins in order to shine like fancy shoes on the feet of the vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters].” (1)
Reference
1. Human Society part 2 - The Vipra Age
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:
1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).
2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story:
“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”
This will be treated as the standard protocol.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Easiest way to recognise shudra, ksatriya, vipra, vaeshya
Note: In Prout philosophy, the terms shudra, ksatriya, vipra, and vaeshya are commonly. But some readers find it difficult to understand in a substantive way who these people are, and how to recognise them in the present day society. The following section is a very good description for understanding who is a vipra.
After reading Baba’s below guideline it will be clear that: Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, and Winston Churchill etc are negative vipras, i.e. recent and present day intellectual satans who created wars.
Prout philosophy states, “At the slightest sign from the vipras [defense ministers], major wars break out in different countries and states. The vipras [intellectual demons] themselves do not fight. By whispering of war in the ears of the king, they send kśatriya generals into battle. Kśatriya soldiers, running the risks for the vipras [intellectual satans], wage war on land, on sea and in the air, and the vipras [intellectual demons], understanding their physical and mental weaknesses, entice them with food or money, or inspire them with hollow, idealistic-sounding slogans, and land them in a holocaust.”
“Thus in the Vipra Age kśatriyas [military personnel] fight and die while shrewd vipra [defense] ministers receive triumphant ovations. This happens in every country where vipras [intellectual satans] play a dominant role. The names of vipra [defense] ministers are blazoned across the pages of history, but history does not record the numbers of soldiers who died on the battlefield or how many of them saw their golden dreams fade into darkness under cannon fire.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “When a vipra [defense] minister dies, the newspapers write it up elaborately. Condolence meetings are held; condolence messages come in by the thousands; flags are flown at half mast; and marble statues are erected at intersections in public parks. But the press will never acknowledge the kśatriyas [soldiers] whose blood enriched the ground for the harvest of victory. And actually, why should they? How can so many names be published in a newspaper anyway!”
“All the great warmongers, the great politicians of the world, belong to this vipra gang of satanic intellect. At their command, or due to their fiery lectures or diplomatic intrigues, millions of foolish shúdras have lost their lives and thousands of hot-blooded kśatriyas [soldiers] have served as instruments in the slaughter.”
“The pages of world history reveal that all the crusades and jihads of the Middle Ages were plotted by these satanic vipras [religious priests]. Caught in their intrigues, the shúdras [common mass] took the beatings; and the kśatriyas [soldiers] fought as religious warriors, but never thought deeply about whom they were fighting for.” (1)
Prout philosophy states, “Was it only in the Middle Ages that this happened? In today’s world also, satanic vipras [war-mongering intellectuals], the protected agents of the capitalist vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters], have led and are continuing to lead millions of people along the path of death and destruction. Evil vipras [demonic intellectuals] are fanning the flames of the vaeshyas’ [wealthy exploiters] insatiable, demonic hunger. Neither the shúdra masses [common citizens] nor the warlike kśatriyas [soldiers] are responsible for the problem of the millions of refugees in different countries, for the heart-rending cries of the mothers, wives, sons and daughters of the soldiers who died on the battlefields, for the blazing flames of communal riots, for communalism itself, provincialism, nationalism and casteism. The responsibility lies with a small group of shrewd vipras [intellectual satans and religious priests] who, out of petty self-interest, have instigated the shúdras [common people] and kśatriyas [soldiers] to commit heinous acts.”
“The meanness and brutality of such vipras [intellectual demons] put on a ghoulish graveyard dance, seeming to make a mockery of the vipras’ intellect. In the Vipra Age the vipras [religious priests] drew power from this type of brutality, and through a staged display of black magic, vipras bestrode society. In the Vaeshya Age the vipras [intellectual demons] commit similar sins in order to shine like fancy shoes on the feet of the vaeshyas [wealthy exploiters].” (1)
Reference
1. Human Society part 2 - The Vipra Age
== Section 2: Links ==
Other topics of interest
