Baba
Dos & don'ts: Mourning
Namaskar,
As we all know, the various ceremonies given by Sadguru Baba in Caryacarya are to be performed in a certain way to preserve the sanctity of the function and prevent dogma from entering. One key point about the shraddha ceremony is that a photo of the deceased should not be on display during this shraddha function. And here is why.
As we know, Sadguru Baba’s teachings of Ananda Marga ideology offer perfect guidance in every sphere of life - in every circumstance. The tenets of Ananda Marga ideology are for the welfare of all. To ease the suffering of the grieving family, the Ananda Marga shraddha (death) ceremony does not support the idea of having the deceased’s photo on display.
True neo-humanists always try to remove people’s suffering
The grieving family is already suffering the pain of their loss. And this is really the key point. Ideal Ananda Margiis are sadhus and aim to reduce the pain and suffering of others. True neo-humanists always try to remove people’s suffering. Yet, seeing the photo of their departed loved one, those in mourning will more acutely feel the pain of their loss. In that case, displaying the photo of the deceased runs counter to the aims and goal of the Ananda Marga shraddha ceremony. Because that ceremony is only for bringing a sense of closure to those in mourning.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya guides us, “The departed soul does not get any advantage from the shráddha ceremony [memorial ceremony]. It is only meant for the psychic satisfaction of the person performing it.” (1)
Neo-humanists will always work to uphold the ideals and tenets of tantra shastra. They will not do anything which rekindles the memory of the deceased by displaying the photo, telling a story, or delivering a eulogy etc. Because no sadhu-minded person wishes to cause pain to others. So they will not introduce elements - such as a photo of the deceased - into our Ananda Marga shraddha ceremony as that will make matters worse for the grief-stricken family. When people come and see the photo and talk about the deceased then the grieving family will again fall into despair.
We should not exacerbate the the suffering of those in mourning
So the deceased’s photo should not be on display nor should anyone deliver a eulogy of the deceased on the occasion of their shraddha ceremony. Otherwise one is exacerbating the situation and multiplying the suffering of those in mourning. The grief-stricken family can only overcome their misery when the mind is diverted to Parama Purusa. And having the photo present undermines this endeavour. So devotees will never remind the suffering family of that raw wound by displaying the photo of the deceased during the shraddha ceremony - as that would undermine the welfare of the grieving family.
In Him,
Yogendra
~ In-depth study ~
Important to discuss ahead of time with loved ones
The following points are all related with why the deceased's photo should not be put on display and how to raise awareness with others on this matter.
1. First and foremost, it is very important to educate everyone beforehand about Baba's guideline. The concerned family and their relatives people should know ahead of time. Raising the matter the day of the shraddha ceremony or at the ceremony itself is bound to create a lot of emotional angst and turmoil. So the earlier this conversation can happen the better. The main thing is that awareness and pracara must be raised ahead of time.
2. Bear in mind that Baba made the rule for all-round welfare of those in mourning so no one should feel shy in educating others about this policy.
3. Remember, this is no different from other dogmas faced and overcome in the past liken caste marriage, dowry, and multi-deity puja worship etc. Similarly, as people are made aware of the drawbacks and defects of having a photo of the deceased on display at the shraddha ceremony, this dogma will also fade.
4. Overall, there are various levels of margiis, and those who are pashvacariis are not going to be able to follow everything perfectly. Whereas, those who are divyacariis will follow. Ultimately, true margiis will adhere to this guideline.
Garlanding the deceased’s photo is against AM ideals
Offering a garland to the deceased’s photo at the shraddha ceremony goes directly contrary to Ananda Marga teachings.
Tadekaḿ japámas tadekaḿ smarámas
Tadekaḿ jagatsákśiirúpaḿ namámah;
Tadekaḿ nidhánaḿ nirálambamiishaḿ
Bhavámbodhipotaḿ sharańaḿ vrajámah.
[I will remember You only. I will contemplate on You only. I will salute You only, the Witnessing Entity of this expressed universe. You are the supreme shelter, but you require no shelter, and no authority lords over you. We take shelter in You in the form of a ship sailing on this vast universe.]
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “If anyone's name is to be chanted in japa, it is the name of Parama Puruśa.” What is japa? A word has a particular meaning; repeating the word inwardly again and again, after having understood its meaning, is what is termed japa. As a result of the prolonged repetition of a word, whose inner meaning is clearly understood, its ideation becomes permanently imprinted on one's mind, and consequently there occurs a radical change in one's mental arena. The extroversial tendencies of the mind gradually become introverted. This is the benefit of japa. And if anyone's name is to be repeated, it is the name of the Lord.” (2)
References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Intuitional Science of Tantra
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Links ==
Unholy alliance: capitalism & the priesthoodAnanda Marga philosophy states, “In ancient times powerful rájas and mahárájas used to perform yajiṋas or sacrifices to declare that they were heroes, but this was also a form of exploitation. They erected many temples to hide their ill-deeds, not out of devotional spirit. There was an unholy alliance between physical exploiters and intellectual exploiters. Intellectuals have praised these rájas and mahárájas in all ages. Another form of exploitation is the priesthood. Capitalism will never go against the priesthood nor will priests go against capitalism. In order to create inferiority complexes in the minds of the people, intellectuals have composed many stories and myths. These stories are illogical and concocted to exploit the sentiments of the common mass. One glaring instance is the following verse composed by satanic opportunists.”
Bráhmańásya mukhamásiit váhurájano’bhavat
Madhya tadasya yad vaeshyahpadbhyaḿ shudrojáyata.
“Brahmins came out of the mouth, Kśatriyas were born out of the arms,
Vaeshyas came out of the trunk of the body, and Shúdras were born out of the legs.”
“In the capitalist structure, industry or production is governed by the profit motive, but in the Proutistic structure production will be governed by the motive of consumption.” (1)
Reference
1. Talks on Prout
== Section 3: Links ==
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Baba
This email contains three sections:
1. Posting: Dos & don'ts: Mourning
2. Important Teaching: Unholy alliance: capitalism & the priesthood
3. Links
