Baba
Namaskar,
Some think that Baba's mere mention of a particular personality means that that individual is great - and we should therefore follow all their teachings. Now
let’s research and find out the truth. First take this example regarding the philosophy of communism and its founder.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
What about Karl Marx and communism
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The fundamental principles of Marxism [Communism] are unpsychological, irrational and anti-human...the concepts of dialectical materialism, the materialist conception of history, the withering away of the state, proletariat dictatorship, classless society, etc., are defective ideas which can never be implemented. That is why the post-revolutionary stage in every communist country has suffered from turmoil and oppression." (1)
Karl Marx propounded the philosophy of communism and those teachings buckled the knees of the whole humanity. Indeed Marxism / Communism has been the cause of so much torture, chaos, and horror.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "When Karl Marx said that property should be owned by the state, by communes, he went against human psychic passion and urge." (2)
Verily on countless occasions, Baba has exposed the defects and inherent loopholes of communism. Even then in one or two accounts Baba has appreciated Karl Marx in a of particular way.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Marx was a good man. He had strong feelings for suffering humanity, and out of compulsion to do something he wrote his theory." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It should be remembered that Karl Marx never opposed spirituality, morality and proper conduct." (4)
However Baba's appreciation of Marx on these points does not mean that as Ananda Margiis we should appreciate all aspects of Marxism.
What about Shankaracarya
As many know, Bhagavan Shankaracaryaji introduced the dogmatic and impractical teachings of mayavada (illusion theory) and created so many problems in the society with his numerous religious dogmas - including caste dogma.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The question arises whether or not adherents of Máyáváda should eat. I suggest that they should not eat, because the rice, dal, rasagollá and rájabhoga that they will eat are also Máyá. I will go one step further and say that they should not live either, for in order to live one must breathe in and breathe out, and air is also Máyá, so they should stop that breathing in and out….The fundamental tenet of Máyáváda is that your body has no existence and thus you have no connection with the rest of the world, for human beings are connected to the rest of the world through their bodies. How can there be any practical application of Máyáváda without the existence of the physical body? There cannot be. Moreover, as I have already said, the Máyávádins should give up food, since they have no body. Thus it follows that the practical application of Máyáváda is impossible; it is a mere fantasy.” (5)
So it is clear that Shankaracarya’s mayavada doctrine is a nonsensical, bogus philosophy. Even then Baba has openly appreciated a few of Shankaracarya's teachings like bhakti being the best path. Ananda Marga philosophy espouses the excellence of bhakti. But that does not mean that we Ananda Margiis should begin adopting all those others teachings of Bhagavana Shankaracarya like mayavada - world is an illusion - and stop doing service to the society. To do that would be entirely wrong and an injustice to the humanity.
What about Buddhism and Jainism
Some of Bhagavan Buddha's teachings have created huge problems all around the globe. That includes Buddha’s entire nihilistic philosophy of dukha-vada and his wrong definition of ahimsa. Plus because of Buddhism, medical science was tossed aside for centuries; and another problem is that Buddhism turned human beings into cowards. Indeed there are many central defects which Baba exposes about Buddhism. And similar is the case with the Jain religion propagated by Mahaviira Jain.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Why have Buddhism and Jainism not stood the test of time? Both these religions suffer from two main defects which have undermined their popularity. Gaotam Buddha failed to propound any clear idea about God and the ultimate goal of human life, and he did not try to build a human society based on his teachings. Mahaviira Jain, first of all, gave too much stress to nirgrantha vada or going about naked. Primitive people did not wear clothes, but they began to cover their bodies due to changing climatic conditions. After they grew accustomed to covering their bodies, they began to feel ashamed if they went about without clothes. Hence, Mahaviira’s philosophy of nirgrantha vada never gained mass support. Secondly, he placed too much emphasis on forgiveness and mercy. He taught people to forgive their worst enemies, even if they were as deadly as scorpions and snakes. As a result of this teaching, people lost the will to fight against the enemies of society. So, although the teachings of Buddha and Mahaviira Jain were not based on dogma and did not deliberately mislead people, they failed in the course of time because they were not sufficiently comprehensive and well-balanced." (6)
Even then on certain points Baba has appreciated some of Buddha's teachings like the 'Cakkhuna Samvaro sadhu' shloka, and the eight fold path. Those points are wholly consistent with Ananda Marga teachings.
So Baba has appreciated Bhagavan Buddha and Mahaviira Jain on various levels such as on the tenet "live and let live." And Baba has given entire discourses on some of Buddha's teachings - such as "Lord Buddha's Cardinal Principles" - because those teachings are rational. But that does not mean that the entire body of teachings of these two thinkers should be wholly embraced by Ananda Margiis.
On that basis of this limited appreciation it does not mean that Ananda Margiis should therefore start following all those other aspects of Buddhist dogma. Rather we must always raise the banner of Ananda Marga.
Conclusion
In a line we can say Baba appreciates those thinkers when their guidelines are rational; and, Baba criticises those thinkers when their teachings are irrational. That is the sole reason behind Baba's praise and condemnation of any philosopher religious or social leader. So just because Baba appreciated a certain thinker or writer on single point, it does not mean that
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Supakash
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
(Note: Please also bear in mind that Buddha's teaching of samayak samadhi is different from Ananda Marga spiritual samadhi.)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Nuclear Revolution
2. Yoga Psychology
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Suppression, Repression and Oppression
4. Humans Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age
5. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 7, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Vishuddha Advaetaváda – 1 (Discourse 13)
6. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B
कोई भी किसी भी time में
“तो, और घबड़ाने की बात नहीं है इसलिए भी कि—परमात्मा सामग्रिक रूप से सबके साथ हैं | और वैयष्टिक रूप से हर जीव के साथ हैं | कोई भी किसी भी time में, किसी भी वक्त, किसी भी समय; ऐसा मनुष्य के जीवन में, कोई भी दुःसमय नहीं आ सकता है, जिस वक्त मनुष्य महसूस कर सकते हैं कि—वे अकेले हैं; he is never alone | कभी भी वे [जीव] अकेले नहीं हैं | वे तुम्हारे साथ दुःख में भी हैं, सुख में भी हैं | बात है कि तुम अपनी बुद्धूपनी के कारण सुख के time में उनको भूल जाते हो; और दुःख के time में रो-रोकर आकाश फटाते हो, चिल्लाते हो; यही करते हो | किन्तु बात सो नहीं है, वे हमेशा तुम्हारे साथ हैं | परमात्मा हँसते हैं—जब [सुख] के time में तुम कहते हो, "अरे, परमात्मा जहाँ हैं रहने दो |" और दुःख के time क्या करते हो ? अपनी छाती पीटते हो | तो उस वक्त भी वे हँसते हैं—"अरे, तुम दो दिन पहले बोल रहे थे, 'जहाँ हैं वहाँ रहने दो' और अब छाती पीट रहे हो, कि होलइ गे, कि होतइ गे |" अहिं ना ?*”
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] [1]
Reference
1. अप्रकाशित, हिन्दी, MGD, September 4, 1978 Patna
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
Baba’s praise of Karl Marx, Buddhism, Shankaracarya
Namaskar,
Some think that Baba's mere mention of a particular personality means that that individual is great - and we should therefore follow all their teachings. Now
let’s research and find out the truth. First take this example regarding the philosophy of communism and its founder.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
What about Karl Marx and communism
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The fundamental principles of Marxism [Communism] are unpsychological, irrational and anti-human...the concepts of dialectical materialism, the materialist conception of history, the withering away of the state, proletariat dictatorship, classless society, etc., are defective ideas which can never be implemented. That is why the post-revolutionary stage in every communist country has suffered from turmoil and oppression." (1)
Karl Marx propounded the philosophy of communism and those teachings buckled the knees of the whole humanity. Indeed Marxism / Communism has been the cause of so much torture, chaos, and horror.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "When Karl Marx said that property should be owned by the state, by communes, he went against human psychic passion and urge." (2)
Verily on countless occasions, Baba has exposed the defects and inherent loopholes of communism. Even then in one or two accounts Baba has appreciated Karl Marx in a of particular way.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Marx was a good man. He had strong feelings for suffering humanity, and out of compulsion to do something he wrote his theory." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It should be remembered that Karl Marx never opposed spirituality, morality and proper conduct." (4)
However Baba's appreciation of Marx on these points does not mean that as Ananda Margiis we should appreciate all aspects of Marxism.
What about Shankaracarya
As many know, Bhagavan Shankaracaryaji introduced the dogmatic and impractical teachings of mayavada (illusion theory) and created so many problems in the society with his numerous religious dogmas - including caste dogma.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The question arises whether or not adherents of Máyáváda should eat. I suggest that they should not eat, because the rice, dal, rasagollá and rájabhoga that they will eat are also Máyá. I will go one step further and say that they should not live either, for in order to live one must breathe in and breathe out, and air is also Máyá, so they should stop that breathing in and out….The fundamental tenet of Máyáváda is that your body has no existence and thus you have no connection with the rest of the world, for human beings are connected to the rest of the world through their bodies. How can there be any practical application of Máyáváda without the existence of the physical body? There cannot be. Moreover, as I have already said, the Máyávádins should give up food, since they have no body. Thus it follows that the practical application of Máyáváda is impossible; it is a mere fantasy.” (5)
So it is clear that Shankaracarya’s mayavada doctrine is a nonsensical, bogus philosophy. Even then Baba has openly appreciated a few of Shankaracarya's teachings like bhakti being the best path. Ananda Marga philosophy espouses the excellence of bhakti. But that does not mean that we Ananda Margiis should begin adopting all those others teachings of Bhagavana Shankaracarya like mayavada - world is an illusion - and stop doing service to the society. To do that would be entirely wrong and an injustice to the humanity.
What about Buddhism and Jainism
Some of Bhagavan Buddha's teachings have created huge problems all around the globe. That includes Buddha’s entire nihilistic philosophy of dukha-vada and his wrong definition of ahimsa. Plus because of Buddhism, medical science was tossed aside for centuries; and another problem is that Buddhism turned human beings into cowards. Indeed there are many central defects which Baba exposes about Buddhism. And similar is the case with the Jain religion propagated by Mahaviira Jain.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Why have Buddhism and Jainism not stood the test of time? Both these religions suffer from two main defects which have undermined their popularity. Gaotam Buddha failed to propound any clear idea about God and the ultimate goal of human life, and he did not try to build a human society based on his teachings. Mahaviira Jain, first of all, gave too much stress to nirgrantha vada or going about naked. Primitive people did not wear clothes, but they began to cover their bodies due to changing climatic conditions. After they grew accustomed to covering their bodies, they began to feel ashamed if they went about without clothes. Hence, Mahaviira’s philosophy of nirgrantha vada never gained mass support. Secondly, he placed too much emphasis on forgiveness and mercy. He taught people to forgive their worst enemies, even if they were as deadly as scorpions and snakes. As a result of this teaching, people lost the will to fight against the enemies of society. So, although the teachings of Buddha and Mahaviira Jain were not based on dogma and did not deliberately mislead people, they failed in the course of time because they were not sufficiently comprehensive and well-balanced." (6)
Even then on certain points Baba has appreciated some of Buddha's teachings like the 'Cakkhuna Samvaro sadhu' shloka, and the eight fold path. Those points are wholly consistent with Ananda Marga teachings.
So Baba has appreciated Bhagavan Buddha and Mahaviira Jain on various levels such as on the tenet "live and let live." And Baba has given entire discourses on some of Buddha's teachings - such as "Lord Buddha's Cardinal Principles" - because those teachings are rational. But that does not mean that the entire body of teachings of these two thinkers should be wholly embraced by Ananda Margiis.
On that basis of this limited appreciation it does not mean that Ananda Margiis should therefore start following all those other aspects of Buddhist dogma. Rather we must always raise the banner of Ananda Marga.
Conclusion
In a line we can say Baba appreciates those thinkers when their guidelines are rational; and, Baba criticises those thinkers when their teachings are irrational. That is the sole reason behind Baba's praise and condemnation of any philosopher religious or social leader. So just because Baba appreciated a certain thinker or writer on single point, it does not mean that
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Supakash
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
(Note: Please also bear in mind that Buddha's teaching of samayak samadhi is different from Ananda Marga spiritual samadhi.)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Nuclear Revolution
2. Yoga Psychology
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Suppression, Repression and Oppression
4. Humans Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age
5. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 7, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Vishuddha Advaetaváda – 1 (Discourse 13)
6. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B
== Section 2: Hindi Quote ==
“तो, और घबड़ाने की बात नहीं है इसलिए भी कि—परमात्मा सामग्रिक रूप से सबके साथ हैं | और वैयष्टिक रूप से हर जीव के साथ हैं | कोई भी किसी भी time में, किसी भी वक्त, किसी भी समय; ऐसा मनुष्य के जीवन में, कोई भी दुःसमय नहीं आ सकता है, जिस वक्त मनुष्य महसूस कर सकते हैं कि—वे अकेले हैं; he is never alone | कभी भी वे [जीव] अकेले नहीं हैं | वे तुम्हारे साथ दुःख में भी हैं, सुख में भी हैं | बात है कि तुम अपनी बुद्धूपनी के कारण सुख के time में उनको भूल जाते हो; और दुःख के time में रो-रोकर आकाश फटाते हो, चिल्लाते हो; यही करते हो | किन्तु बात सो नहीं है, वे हमेशा तुम्हारे साथ हैं | परमात्मा हँसते हैं—जब [सुख] के time में तुम कहते हो, "अरे, परमात्मा जहाँ हैं रहने दो |" और दुःख के time क्या करते हो ? अपनी छाती पीटते हो | तो उस वक्त भी वे हँसते हैं—"अरे, तुम दो दिन पहले बोल रहे थे, 'जहाँ हैं वहाँ रहने दो' और अब छाती पीट रहे हो, कि होलइ गे, कि होतइ गे |" अहिं ना ?*”
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] [1]
Reference
1. अप्रकाशित, हिन्दी, MGD, September 4, 1978 Patna
== Section 3:
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