Baba
Dogma of NY sector
Namaskar,
One margii from NY sector attended DMS at Ananda Nagar and was keen and enthusiastic to buy books on dharmashastra. This margii approached the bookstall attendant and said, “I am looking for some books on dharmashastra.”
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The bookseller replied, “Why, yes, of course, here are a few titles that are suitable.” And with that the bookseller gave the NY sector margii Subhasita Samgraha parts 1 & 2.
The margii responded, “Thank you so much. This is sufficient for now. Let me look at these and I will be back for more later on.” With that the NY sector margii paid for the two books and went on his way - thinking that these travel stories will be very interesting to read during the night when he could not sleep due to jet lag.
The afternoon and evening passed, and that night when it was quiet, the NY sector margii got the opportunity to go through the books. Quickly, he became quite frustrated as there was no travel story. Just the books contained philosophy and various guidelines, but no stories or humorous tales about traveling around.
Confusion
Note: This innocent margii from NY sector had understood that dharmashastra meant travel stories because in NY sector when Dadas came to town and tell their travel stories at the end of dharmacakra then those stories were called dharmashastra. With this misunderstanding, he wanted to buy books about Baba’s dharmashastra - and figured that would be a collection of Baba’s travel stories from around India and to other sectors. That was what this NY sector margii was anticipating when he purchased those books - Subhasita Samgraha parts 1 & 2.
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So he felt cheated as he did not get what he had asked for - or so he thought. He had requested books on dharmashastra and actually that is what he got - Ananda Marga scripture. But in his own mistaken view he thought dharmashastra meant travel stories; so he concluded he had been given something else.
The next morning he went straight to the bookstall and complained to the bookseller that the books were not on dharmashastra. The NY sector margii said, “You misled me. You told me you were giving me books on dharmashastra but these books do not contain any travel stories. So I hereby request to return them.”
The bookseller - who was also a margii - stood there with his arms crossed and pointed to the sign: “All sales are final - No returns on books.”
Quarrel
The NY sector margii became livid and said, “But you lied to me, I wanted books on dharmashastra, and I trusted your recommendation, but what you gave me is something else.”
The bookseller insisted, “Those books - Subhasita Samgraha parts 1 & 2 - are dharmashastra.”
The NY sector margii exclaimed, “They are not - dharmashastra. There is no acarya travel story anywhere on these pages.”
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The bookseller told, “The books I sold you are dharmashastra.”
The NY sector margii stated, “They are not dharmashastra.”
The bookseller stood firm and said, “They are dharmashastra.”
“They are not,” the NY sector margii shot back.
“They are dharmashastra”, was the response from the bookseller.
“No, they’re not”, insisted the NY sector margii.
And back and forth the argument went - creating a big commotion and many margiis and Wts gathered round to see what was going on.
Finally, one senior margii with a long white beard calmly interceded and quietly asked the NY sector margii, “What seems to be the problem? How can I help you?”
The margii recounted the whole course of events and concluded by saying, “There are no travel stories in these books so they are not dharmashastra. So I want to return the books.”
Then the senior margii gently questioned, “What makes you think that dharmashastra means travel stories.”
Dogma in NY sector
The NY sector margii replied, “Because in NY sector, each week after collective meditation in dharmacakra - a Dada is called upon to give dharmashastra and then they stand up and tell stories of where they were traveling and what was going on. And those stories are termed as dharmashastra.”
By this point, the NY sector margii was completely agitated, especially since he could not return his books.
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The kind, old, senior margii understood that situation and said, “Please show me the books you have purchased.” The NY sector margii held up the books. Then the senior margiis with the long white beard said, “You know, those are the exact books I need to complete my collection. How about if I purchase those books from you.” The NY sector margii agreed and the situation calmed down a bit.
Then the senior margii thought for a moment and spoke, “I think I see the problem here. Unfortunately, in NY sector they are giving people the wrong impression about what dharmashastra really is. So it is not your fault. Please allow me to explain further.”
The NY sector margii’s anger had begun to dissipate and he was now listening attentively to the senior margii with the long, white beard.
The senior margii explained, “The term dharmashastra is broken down as dharma (righteousness) + shastra (scripture). Sadguru Baba guides us that Ananda Marga is only dharma. So the spiritual shastra of Ananda Marga is dharmashastra.”
“So as you see, dharmashastra has nothing to do with any type of travel story. Dharmashastra refers to the spiritual books given by Sadguru Baba.”
Wt lecture is not dharmashastra
Dharmashastra is exclusively related with Guru's direct spiritual discourses only. The directions, talk, or gossip of any a, b, c, x, y, z WT have nothing to do with dharmashastra.
Unfortunately, some Wts misguide innocent margiis into thinking that the words Dadas speak after dharmacakra are dharmashastra. In that way, numerous Dadas are having their own talks accepted as dharmashastra; and, unsuspecting margiis are believing and following those talks. In my sector and in our other overseas sectors this negative episode is going - week after week. The dogma is that they are calling the travel stories they tell as dharmashastra. That is the wrong thing that is happening.
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Travel story is not DS
The way certain Dadas have wrongly instituted the word 'dharmashastra' is completely dogma. In overseas sectors, the term dharmashastra means Dadas' lectures or stories etc. Such as a particular Dada's travel story which he speaks after dharmacakra; that story session may be 10 minutes, 20 minutes 30 minutes or one hour. In our overseas areas this entire session is mistakenly called as "dharma sha'stra".
Indeed, it is the common practice that just after dharmacakra, a Dada comes forward and tells his travel stories / journey, or some simple other gossip. In this way some Dadas created the "aura" that this is dharmashastra. In our weekly dharmacakra, Baba's books must be read - otherwise that dharmacakra is treated as incomplete.
Dharmashastra means spiritual scripture
But in place of reading Baba's books, Dada's gossip and travel stories will not do. Rather those Dadas should tell their tales during some leisure time. Then we would all be glad to hear those tales. But a few Dadas are telling their tales at an inopportune moment, i.e. when Guru's spiritual teachings are to be read and discussed.
Not only that, but in the holy name of dharmashastra a few Dadas use that as a platform to gather funds for their group. The dharmashastra term itself carries a sanctified meaning. It is the word of Guru. So the misuse of the term dharmashastra for these other avenues is wholly inappropriate.
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Priests infused dogmas
Throughout the course of history, in various religions, dogma has been injected by selfish people. In most cases those selfish people were senior priests of that very religion. Take the case of Buddhism: After Buddha passed away senior Buddhist priests injected various dogmas into Buddhism. And now it is full of dogma.
In their own way Catholic Priests, Muslim Maolbis (priest), and Hindu Pandits (Hindu priests) did the same thing. In order to establish their own supremacy they gave teachings according to their own view. And for hundreds of years, religious followers practiced those dogmas.
Indeed even the teachings of Lord Krsna were gradually adulterated by the priests. And the resulting degeneration that came and was not small, but rather huge. So many false things were propagated; and various dogmas took root. The sense is that dogma most often gets started from within that religion itself - by those very people, i.e. priests.
Thus in our Ananda Marga we have to be extra-cautious and vigilant on this point. Baba has given countless divine teachings that cover all the spectrums of life. It is our duty to present and carry those guidelines properly, in an untainted manner.
Central tenets to know
#1: Whenever any Dada / Wt recounts a travel story etc after dharmacakra that never comes under the purview of dharmashástra. Dharmashástra solely refers to the spiritual discourses given by Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "When the sole purpose of scripture, i.e. dharmashástra, is to establish the human beings in the stable, exalted position of spiritual ideation, it must be practical, rational, infallible and universal. It must be based on deep eternal truths. It must be áptavákya." (1)
#2: When anyone reads one of Baba's spiritual discourses that is known as svádhyáya. After dharmacakra, svádhyáya is done. And if a Dada / Wt thereafter gives a talk on that reading, i.e. by giving a line by line explanation of Baba’s discourse, then that is a talk or discussion on that particular AM discourse.
#3: If after dharmacakra a Dada / Wt narrates his travel experiences or life stories, then that is something totally different. So those Wts should be very clear and honest. And they should say, "Now I am going to recount a travel story etc."
#4: We should be clear that (a) AM spiritual scripture is known as dharmashástra, (b) the reading of Baba's spiritual books is svádhyáya, (c) discussion on Baba's teachings is known as a discussion on that AM discourse, and (d) a travel story is a travel story.
Conclusion
Step by step these various dogmas have taken root in the name of dharmashastra. We should not treat any Dada’s lectures as a dharmashastra. If collectively we become alert and vigilant about this then this dogma can be rooted out. Nothing should be permitted to stand in the way of Guru's sacred and blemishless teachings.
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Namaskar,
In Him,
Govinda
(G. Roff)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Spiritual Treatise
In his above advertisement for the 2020 POB NY sector summer retreat,
Dada Rainjitananda wrongly uses the term dharmashastra to refer to a talk given by
A Wt after dharmacakra (collective meditation). But that is incorrect.
Only Guru’s direct discourses are dharmashastra.
======
Classic case of so-called dharmashastra
~ Dada R is repeat offender ~
Here is a classic example where one Dada P is telling a story about his travels on one boat, and he has presented the whole thing as dharmashastra:
Here is that video ==> https://vimeo.com/55579789
Sadly, Rainjitananda posted the above so-called dharmashastra video as well, so he is a repeat offender on this point. Although, Dada P is the one giving the talk, it was Rainjitananda who uploaded this video and wrongly titled it as: “Dada Pranakrsnananda’s Dharmashastra (Spiritual Talk)”.
Indeed, over the years, it seems Rainjitananda may have made this error dozens upon dozens of times. But he is not alone in this regard. Over the years in NY sector and other overseas sectors, this folly is commonly made. Now is the time proper regard should be given and the term dharmashastra should not be used to denote a travel diary talk or any talk given by a Wt after dharmacakra.
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== Section: Important Teaching ==
Proper linguistic policy
Prout philosophy states, “India is a multi-lingual and multi-religious country. If a particular regional language is declared the national language, it would be very detrimental to the overall welfare of the country. Rather, all the languages spoken in India should be recognized and encouraged. In this regard, India should follow the example of some other countries. In Switzerland, for instance, four languages are recognized as state languages – German, Italian, French and Romansch – although more than twice as many people speak German than the total speaking the other three languages. This is the correct approach, as it does not go against the collective psychology of the people.”
Prout philosophy states, “”For the all-round welfare and development of human beings, society needs to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish. To avoid this and to safeguard the interests of all people, the leaders of society must ensure that cardinal socio-political principles are strictly followed. Otherwise, individual and collective progress can never be achieved.”
There are three cardinal socio-political principles which should never be violated…..Thirdly, no mother tongue should be suppressed.
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
== Section ==
Wrongdoers were annihilated - Ananda Vanii #41
Ananda Vanii states, “History bears testimony that whenever a person states the absolute truth in any sphere of life, whether it be spiritual, social, economic or otherwise; sought clarification of doubts or protested against injustice and wrongs, the evil forces forthwith plotted against the person, administered poison, slandered and assaulted that person with rage, misused authority and mercilessly dealt blow after blow; but the blows boomeranged and ultimately the evil forces were annihilated by those very blows. Remember, by an unalterable decree of history, the evil forces are destined to meet their final doom.” (1)
Note 1: The above is one of Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis. These original and true Ananda Vaniis are unique, eternal guidelines that stand as complete discourses in and of themselves. They are unlike Fake Ananda Vaniis.
Reference
1. Ananda Vanii #41
== Section ==
How psychic urges are misused
Prout philosophy states, “In capitalism the rich, in their affluence, misuse the psychic urge and direct their psychic pabula to the pursuit of material gains. And the poor, in their extreme poverty, misdirect their psychic urges and concentrate their psychic pabula on antisocial activities in their struggle for existence. In communism, the elite and party leaders misuse their psychic urges and direct their psychic pabula towards political manipulation and totalitarian repression. Under the oppression of communist rule the psychic pabula of the general people are suppressed into a state of doldrums. In both cases psychic urges are misutilised for sub-human activities in the physical, psycho-physical and psychic spheres. This must be stopped.” (1)
Note: In His above guideline, the Propounder of Prout philosophy is outlining the defects of both capitalism and communism. In capitalism, rich people direct their mental desire towards material wealth by cheating others. That is their misuse of their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.
Due to capitalist exploitation the general public is reduced to beggars and they survive by involving in anti-social activities like drug dealing, gang warfare, white collar crime, underground trade, human trafficking and so many other nasty things and vices. Initially they start those vices due to lack of the basic minimal requirements to live and gradually those vices consume them. In result, they misuse their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.
Up till their death
Communist leaders misuse their infinite desire to ruthlessly control and exploit the masses. Those leaders aim to become ministers and dictators where they will remain in the post up till their death. In communism, the leaders never want to give up the post. That is how they misuse their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.
Due to communist exploitation the common people are reduced to rubble. They are harassed, exploited, and suppressed, and have no scope to develop their free thinking or expression. Everything is manipulated by communist propaganda and in turn human beings become animals. And the common people also misuse their desire infinite human longing for gross material pleasures when that longing should be goaded towards the Supreme.
Due to these defectives systems those at the helm degrade themselves and the common people are exploited terribly. So these two systems should be discarded.
Now I request AMPS leaders to stop eating off of the same plate as those communists as their bosom friend - thinking such communists to be saviour of universe. Unfortunately, some Prout leaders think communism and Prout are the same thing. That is why the Prout movement is not growing. The general public has well understood that communism is awful so if our Prout leader attach Prout with communism then the people will think that Prout is similar to communism. That is the sad plight taking place these days.
Reference
1. AFPS-8, The Transformation of Psychic Pabula into Psycho-spiritual Pabulum
== Section 2: Links ==
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