Baba
This email contains five sections:
1. Opening Quote: Pralaya is a bogus proposition
2. Posting: Confused people think they can get salvation in this way
3. Conduct is the main thing in Ananda Marga - Ananda Vanii #13
4. Comment: Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
5. Links
Ananda Marga ideology states, "“Pratyaḿjanáḿstist́hate saḿcukopántakále”. Parama Puruśa remains with every entity. He is everyone’s shelter, everyone’s refuge. Thus, human beings are never helpless, neither individually nor collectively. Always remember that He is with every individual. Some philosophers, quoting the scriptures, say that a day of final doom will darken the Earth when the dead will rise from the grave. Others predict that a doomsday (pralayá in Saḿskrta – “pra” means “complete” and thus pralaya means “complete destruction”) will obliterate all forms of life. One should laugh at such illogical doctrines. According to Ánanda Márga philosophy, this doomsday or pralaya will never occur. On the one hand, the flow of creation will continue and on the other, there will be jadasphota [gradual or instantaneous disintegration]. There will never be a complete thermal death. of the universe. Thus, predictions of an imminent doomsday should be of no concern to you. It is nonsense; pralaya will never occur." (1)
Reference:
Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 7, The Divine Drama
Namaskar,
Kindly read the below quote from Baba's teachings. At the end of the quote a question has been posed. If your answer to the question is correct then it means you read Baba's books carefully; and, if your answer is wrong or you do not know the answer, then it signifies that you need to pay more attention when reading Guru's teachings. After all, if sadhakas are not diligent in studying Baba's books then who is going to read them - non-margiis?
Here then is the quote:
"There are some people who die after fasting for thirty or forty days. The members of their community think that they have attained salvation thereby, but one cannot attain salvation by fasting in this way." (1)
Question: Who is Baba referring to in the above quote?
---------
Answer: Both Vinoba Bhave and Balak Brahmacari fall in this category. They both died after extended fasts, and in both cases their followers thought they had attained supreme realisation, but in His above teaching Baba informs us otherwise.
Verily so many have passed in this way - especially monks have died from long fasts and their followers believe they got moksa. That is a misnomer within the Hindu religion.
And it is common with the Jain tradition as well - at the end of their life those monks fast to death. They think that by this way they will get moksa.
If due to lack of food one attained salvation, then what about all those in economically destitute nations who have starved to death such as during terrible famines. Did they too all attain moksa?
As Ananda Margiis we do not subscribe to all these dogmatic theories from these various religions. In our Ananda Marga, one must do sadhana and seva. And when one is aged and sick and body is old and weak then one is only to do sadhana. One should never resort to killing oneself.
Remember, deliberately fasting to death invites negative samskara.
We should always remember Guru's guideline: "Die while working, and work even while dying."
Work while dying means doing sadhana in one's final days, while those who are confused think working means dying while digging the soil or engaging in other mundane work.
in Him,
Pranotosh
---
Hinduism fasting to death & moksa
Prayopavesa (Sanskrit: प्रायोपवेशनम्, literally resolving to die through fasting) is a practice in Hinduism that denotes the suicide by fasting of a person, who has no desire or ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in life. It is also allowed in cases of terminal disease or great disability. A similar practice exists in Jainism, termed Santhara. (2)
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, after 21 days fast, died on 26 February 1966. He thought that his duties were fulfilled and thus has no purpose left to live. In November 2001, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami subjected himself to prayopavesa. Subramuniyaswami was diagnosed to be suffering from terminal intestinal cancer. He later died on the 32nd day of his fast. (2)
Jainism fasting to death & moksa
An ascetic or householder who has observed all these vows to burn the karmas, take the vow of Sallekhana at the end of his life. Sallekhana is treated as a supplementary to the twelve vows taken by Jains. However, some Jain Acharyas such as Kundakunda, Devasena, Padmanandin and Vasunandin have included it under the last vow, śikşā-vrata.
Jains are strict vegetarians. In order to attain moksha all positive and negative karmas must be burnt. Santhara is a method of burning Karma when one has mastered self-control, has no worldly desires, inclination towards pleasures are nil, mentally and spiritually person is in sound health. Santhara is not allowed in conditions of good health, mental disease or unconsciousness, unwillingness, due family responsibilities, desire to eat or live, or remaining worldly desires. Healthy young adults or children are unfit (not allowed) to do santhara because they have family obligations, lives to live and religion to practice. It is allowed only in cases of impending death due to old age or terminal disease.
The basic idea in different kinds of Jain fasting is to acquire a lowest possible negative karma and purify oneself.[citation needed] The guiding philosophy is: "Our soul is immortal. Our soul goes from one body to another body (cycle of birth and rebirth or reincarnation) just like we change old clothes. For betterment of our soul we must be free from desires and kamas. By practicing Jain principles in life those people who attain such a peaceful state of mind, perpetual happiness and self actualization and become free from desire of eating, living, dining etc. perform santhara. It is a Jain method of separating soul from old and diseased body during last few days of life to enter in new life form/reincarnation."
Santhara is a voluntary act and is bound by very strict regulations. Only a person who has no wishes/desire/ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in life is entitled to perform it and the action is done under community regulation. The decision to do so must be publicly declared well in advance and permission from family & other relatives is a must. Conditions that allow santhara are: (2)
On average, 240 Jains practice fast until death each year in India
Sallekhana (also Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana), is the Jain practice of undertaking voluntary death at the end of one's life. It is a highly respected practice among the members of the Jain community. Sallekhana is made up from two words sal (meaning 'properly') and lekhana, which means to thin out. Properly thinning out of the passions and the body is 'Sallekhana'. It is prescribed both for the householder (sravakas) and ascetics. Sallekhana is allowed only when a person is suffering from incurable disease or great disability or when a person is nearing his end. Due to the prolonged nature of sallekhana, the individual is given ample time to reflect on his or her life. The purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones. According to Jain texts, sallekhanā leads to Ahimsa (non-injury), as person observing sallekhanā subjugates the passions, which are the root cause of himsā (injury or violence). After taking the vow of Sallekhana, one must not have the desire to live or desire to die. Practitioner shouldn't recollect the pleasures enjoyed or, long for the enjoyment of pleasures in future.
According to the Press Trust of India, on average 240 Jains practice sallekhana until death each year in India.[9] There exists a similar Hindu practice known as Prayopavesa.(2)
---
Old age disease such that death appears imminent. Or in cases of terminal disease in adults.
Strong desire to burn karmas by fasting.
Strong Desire of Moksha/Nirvana.
Jains claim that Santhara or Sallekhana fast until death is the most ideal, peaceful, and satisfying form of death. It is done in full consciousness, not suddenly, sadly or ignorantly. (2)
---
Comparison with suicide
Sallekhana is often compared with suicide. According to the Jain text, Purushartha Siddhyupaya, when death is near, the vow of sallekhanâ is observed by properly thinning the body and the passions. It also mentions that, sallekhanâ is not suicide since the person observing it, is devoid of all passions like attachment.[16] Like most religions, Jainism forbids all forms of suicides. Suicide involves an intentional act of harm against oneself with a known outcome that negatively affects those left behind. It is believed that the precipitous taking of one's life constitutes only a perpetuation of the karma from the current life (particularly that associated with negativity or suffering), which is thus "inherited" by the subsequent life to be assumed through reincarnation. Suicide does not allow escape from one's karma, nor from one's cycle of births and rebirths. However, in the practise of Sallekhana, it is viewed that death is "welcomed" through a peaceful, tranquil process that provides peace of mind and sufficient closure for the adherent, their family and/or community.[17]
Statistically, Sallekhana is undertaken both by men and women of all economic classes and among the educationally forward Jains. Statistically it is done by more women than men. It has been argued that Sallekhana serves as a means of coercing widows and elderly relatives into taking their own lives,[18] but that is a rare case. In both the writings of Jain scriptures and the general views of many followers of Jainism, due to the degree of self-actualisation and spiritual strength required by those who undertake the ritual, Sallekhana is considered to be a display of utmost piety, purification and expiation.
In his book, Sallekhanā is Not Suicide, Justice T. K. Tukol wrote:
My studies of Jurisprudence, the Indian Penal Code and of criminal cases decided by me had convinced that the vow of Sallekhana as propounded in the Jaina scriptures is not suicide. (2)
References
1. AMIWL-10, Ideation on Brahma
2. Wikipedia
Ananda Vanii states, “Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (1)
Note: 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 #13
Dear brothers & sisters,
It is very disappointing to know from Madhusudanji that our great socio-spiritual order "Ananda Marga" as set up by our BABA to demolish the age old social stigmas of the dogmas & superstitions & the vicious barriers of caste, creed &colour as imposed by the vested interests which shattered our human society, if getting foiled by Purodha Pramukh &Rudrananda Avadhut as alleged to perpetuate their vested interests, they must be opposed.
It must be borne in mind that our Purodha Pramukh is only to act as the chief volunteer of our Baba to take forward His great mission taking all of us including all workers like Rudranandaji united in the main stream.If he fails to serve the purpose, he is immediately to make room for the more befitting one instead of remaining stuck up to the position as elected for the purpose.
It must be further borne in mind in the situation created as alleged, to stand up united firmly to protect the great mission of our Baba getting hijacked by the vested interests even present among us.
Yours brotherly,
Er. Suresh
Here is a link to the initial letter on this topic - Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
This email contains five sections:
1. Opening Quote: Pralaya is a bogus proposition
2. Posting: Confused people think they can get salvation in this way
3. Conduct is the main thing in Ananda Marga - Ananda Vanii #13
4. Comment: Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
5. Links
Pralaya is a bogus proposition
Ananda Marga ideology states, "“Pratyaḿjanáḿstist́hate saḿcukopántakále”. Parama Puruśa remains with every entity. He is everyone’s shelter, everyone’s refuge. Thus, human beings are never helpless, neither individually nor collectively. Always remember that He is with every individual. Some philosophers, quoting the scriptures, say that a day of final doom will darken the Earth when the dead will rise from the grave. Others predict that a doomsday (pralayá in Saḿskrta – “pra” means “complete” and thus pralaya means “complete destruction”) will obliterate all forms of life. One should laugh at such illogical doctrines. According to Ánanda Márga philosophy, this doomsday or pralaya will never occur. On the one hand, the flow of creation will continue and on the other, there will be jadasphota [gradual or instantaneous disintegration]. There will never be a complete thermal death. of the universe. Thus, predictions of an imminent doomsday should be of no concern to you. It is nonsense; pralaya will never occur." (1)
Reference:
Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 7, The Divine Drama
== Section 2
==
Confused people think they can
get salvation in this way
Namaskar,
Kindly read the below quote from Baba's teachings. At the end of the quote a question has been posed. If your answer to the question is correct then it means you read Baba's books carefully; and, if your answer is wrong or you do not know the answer, then it signifies that you need to pay more attention when reading Guru's teachings. After all, if sadhakas are not diligent in studying Baba's books then who is going to read them - non-margiis?
Here then is the quote:
"There are some people who die after fasting for thirty or forty days. The members of their community think that they have attained salvation thereby, but one cannot attain salvation by fasting in this way." (1)
Question: Who is Baba referring to in the above quote?
---------
Answer: Both Vinoba Bhave and Balak Brahmacari fall in this category. They both died after extended fasts, and in both cases their followers thought they had attained supreme realisation, but in His above teaching Baba informs us otherwise.
Verily so many have passed in this way - especially monks have died from long fasts and their followers believe they got moksa. That is a misnomer within the Hindu religion.
And it is common with the Jain tradition as well - at the end of their life those monks fast to death. They think that by this way they will get moksa.
If due to lack of food one attained salvation, then what about all those in economically destitute nations who have starved to death such as during terrible famines. Did they too all attain moksa?
As Ananda Margiis we do not subscribe to all these dogmatic theories from these various religions. In our Ananda Marga, one must do sadhana and seva. And when one is aged and sick and body is old and weak then one is only to do sadhana. One should never resort to killing oneself.
Remember, deliberately fasting to death invites negative samskara.
We should always remember Guru's guideline: "Die while working, and work even while dying."
Work while dying means doing sadhana in one's final days, while those who are confused think working means dying while digging the soil or engaging in other mundane work.
in Him,
Pranotosh
---
Hinduism fasting to death & moksa
Prayopavesa (Sanskrit: प्रायोपवेशनम्, literally resolving to die through fasting) is a practice in Hinduism that denotes the suicide by fasting of a person, who has no desire or ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in life. It is also allowed in cases of terminal disease or great disability. A similar practice exists in Jainism, termed Santhara. (2)
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, after 21 days fast, died on 26 February 1966. He thought that his duties were fulfilled and thus has no purpose left to live. In November 2001, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami subjected himself to prayopavesa. Subramuniyaswami was diagnosed to be suffering from terminal intestinal cancer. He later died on the 32nd day of his fast. (2)
Jainism fasting to death & moksa
An ascetic or householder who has observed all these vows to burn the karmas, take the vow of Sallekhana at the end of his life. Sallekhana is treated as a supplementary to the twelve vows taken by Jains. However, some Jain Acharyas such as Kundakunda, Devasena, Padmanandin and Vasunandin have included it under the last vow, śikşā-vrata.
Jains are strict vegetarians. In order to attain moksha all positive and negative karmas must be burnt. Santhara is a method of burning Karma when one has mastered self-control, has no worldly desires, inclination towards pleasures are nil, mentally and spiritually person is in sound health. Santhara is not allowed in conditions of good health, mental disease or unconsciousness, unwillingness, due family responsibilities, desire to eat or live, or remaining worldly desires. Healthy young adults or children are unfit (not allowed) to do santhara because they have family obligations, lives to live and religion to practice. It is allowed only in cases of impending death due to old age or terminal disease.
The basic idea in different kinds of Jain fasting is to acquire a lowest possible negative karma and purify oneself.[citation needed] The guiding philosophy is: "Our soul is immortal. Our soul goes from one body to another body (cycle of birth and rebirth or reincarnation) just like we change old clothes. For betterment of our soul we must be free from desires and kamas. By practicing Jain principles in life those people who attain such a peaceful state of mind, perpetual happiness and self actualization and become free from desire of eating, living, dining etc. perform santhara. It is a Jain method of separating soul from old and diseased body during last few days of life to enter in new life form/reincarnation."
Santhara is a voluntary act and is bound by very strict regulations. Only a person who has no wishes/desire/ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in life is entitled to perform it and the action is done under community regulation. The decision to do so must be publicly declared well in advance and permission from family & other relatives is a must. Conditions that allow santhara are: (2)
On average, 240 Jains practice fast until death each year in India
Sallekhana (also Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana), is the Jain practice of undertaking voluntary death at the end of one's life. It is a highly respected practice among the members of the Jain community. Sallekhana is made up from two words sal (meaning 'properly') and lekhana, which means to thin out. Properly thinning out of the passions and the body is 'Sallekhana'. It is prescribed both for the householder (sravakas) and ascetics. Sallekhana is allowed only when a person is suffering from incurable disease or great disability or when a person is nearing his end. Due to the prolonged nature of sallekhana, the individual is given ample time to reflect on his or her life. The purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones. According to Jain texts, sallekhanā leads to Ahimsa (non-injury), as person observing sallekhanā subjugates the passions, which are the root cause of himsā (injury or violence). After taking the vow of Sallekhana, one must not have the desire to live or desire to die. Practitioner shouldn't recollect the pleasures enjoyed or, long for the enjoyment of pleasures in future.
According to the Press Trust of India, on average 240 Jains practice sallekhana until death each year in India.[9] There exists a similar Hindu practice known as Prayopavesa.(2)
---
Old age disease such that death appears imminent. Or in cases of terminal disease in adults.
Strong desire to burn karmas by fasting.
Strong Desire of Moksha/Nirvana.
Jains claim that Santhara or Sallekhana fast until death is the most ideal, peaceful, and satisfying form of death. It is done in full consciousness, not suddenly, sadly or ignorantly. (2)
---
Comparison with suicide
Sallekhana is often compared with suicide. According to the Jain text, Purushartha Siddhyupaya, when death is near, the vow of sallekhanâ is observed by properly thinning the body and the passions. It also mentions that, sallekhanâ is not suicide since the person observing it, is devoid of all passions like attachment.[16] Like most religions, Jainism forbids all forms of suicides. Suicide involves an intentional act of harm against oneself with a known outcome that negatively affects those left behind. It is believed that the precipitous taking of one's life constitutes only a perpetuation of the karma from the current life (particularly that associated with negativity or suffering), which is thus "inherited" by the subsequent life to be assumed through reincarnation. Suicide does not allow escape from one's karma, nor from one's cycle of births and rebirths. However, in the practise of Sallekhana, it is viewed that death is "welcomed" through a peaceful, tranquil process that provides peace of mind and sufficient closure for the adherent, their family and/or community.[17]
Statistically, Sallekhana is undertaken both by men and women of all economic classes and among the educationally forward Jains. Statistically it is done by more women than men. It has been argued that Sallekhana serves as a means of coercing widows and elderly relatives into taking their own lives,[18] but that is a rare case. In both the writings of Jain scriptures and the general views of many followers of Jainism, due to the degree of self-actualisation and spiritual strength required by those who undertake the ritual, Sallekhana is considered to be a display of utmost piety, purification and expiation.
In his book, Sallekhanā is Not Suicide, Justice T. K. Tukol wrote:
My studies of Jurisprudence, the Indian Penal Code and of criminal cases decided by me had convinced that the vow of Sallekhana as propounded in the Jaina scriptures is not suicide. (2)
References
1. AMIWL-10, Ideation on Brahma
2. Wikipedia
== Section 3
==
Conduct
is the main thing in Ananda Marga - Ananda
Vanii #13
Ananda Vanii states, “Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (1)
Note: 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 #13
== Section 4
==
Re: Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
Re: Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
Dear brothers & sisters,
It is very disappointing to know from Madhusudanji that our great socio-spiritual order "Ananda Marga" as set up by our BABA to demolish the age old social stigmas of the dogmas & superstitions & the vicious barriers of caste, creed &colour as imposed by the vested interests which shattered our human society, if getting foiled by Purodha Pramukh &Rudrananda Avadhut as alleged to perpetuate their vested interests, they must be opposed.
It must be borne in mind that our Purodha Pramukh is only to act as the chief volunteer of our Baba to take forward His great mission taking all of us including all workers like Rudranandaji united in the main stream.If he fails to serve the purpose, he is immediately to make room for the more befitting one instead of remaining stuck up to the position as elected for the purpose.
It must be further borne in mind in the situation created as alleged, to stand up united firmly to protect the great mission of our Baba getting hijacked by the vested interests even present among us.
Yours brotherly,
Er. Suresh
Here is a link to the initial letter on this topic - Marriage tax on margiis: PP & Rudrananda imposing #2
== Section 5
==
Links
Links
