Namaskar,
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "If, in consideration of the power of
your post, anyone offers you a present, that should count as a bribe [or
tip]." (1)
Just imagine if the tips are extended to teachers in schools. In that
case, if you do not give a huge tip, then those teachers will not teach
your child. Here the point is that whatever field of life incorporates
tips, then a few wealthy people will get special, preferential
treatment. That is why as Ananda Margiis we should not be involved in
giving tips for work rendered.
Similarly, if judges and police officials are not paid properly and are
instead depending upon tips [financial gifts], the entire justice system
will become corrupt. Robbers, criminals, and others who have access to
huge amounts of stolen funds, will give large monies to judges and
police officials as a "tip" in order to gain their favour. The end
result will be that justice will not be served. That tip is the
equivalent of a bribe; there is no difference.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Who suffers the most?
The ones who suffer the most are those who cannot afford to give a big
tip. Just as with bribes, it is the common person who gets neglected and
pushed aside while the "wheelers & dealers" like big business and
mafioso types get the best of everything. Where there are tips there is
partiality, and where there is partiality it is the "common man" who is
left behind. That is what tips do: They alienate and block the regular
people from getting what they need. Those ordinary citizens are the ones
who suffer the most.
Solution
As Ananda Margiis we should refrain from giving tips or gratuities to
anyone for their work. Rather we should raise the slogan that those
people should be paid more by their employers. No doubt this may feel
uncomfortable to forgo giving someone a tip, but this is the work of the
pioneer. And society will benefit greatly in the long run.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
If people do not want to perform certain works for you because they know
you are not going to tip them, then get your work done by other
agencies or businesses. Supporting the system of tipping is not good as
it leads to partiality and injustice for the common people. Those who
tip big get special preference and those who do not have the money to
tip large sums are overlooked. Plus the one receiving the tip becomes
degenerated as they are always thinking about money. This is not the way
to build a healthy society.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "If, in consideration of the power of
your post, anyone offers you a present, that should count as a bribe [or
tip].” (2)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Bhaktidhara
~ In-depth study ~
If you are robbed, the police will do nothing unless
Every Ananda Margii understands that accepting or giving a bribe is against our moral principles and societal regulations.
Here are Baba's teachings towards employees of different institutions:
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Do not, on any account, accept or offer a bribe." (3)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "If someone, through pressure of
circumstances compels you to offer or accept a bribe, do not forgive
that person till he/she is reformed." (4)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "If, in consideration of the power of
your post, anyone offers you a present, that should count as a bribe [or
tip]." (5)
In the workplace, any financial or material gift that is associated with
one's professional standing should be considered a bribe.
Regarding householders, Baba has given the following teaching:
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Do not offer a bribe to anyone. If
someone through pressure of circumstances forces you to offer a bribe,
do not forgive that person till he/she is reformed." (6)
Whether in our professional life or personal life, whether at work or at
home, in no such circumstances are we to indulge in any form of tips or
bribery. As Ananda Margiis we should refrain from giving or receiving
bribes and side by side we should raise awareness that bribes lead to
the degradation of society. In that sense it is just like tipping - it
is to be wholly avoided and public education is needed.
In certain countries one cannot get the basic necessities of life (such
as electricity, water, heat etc) without bribing local officials and
administrators. Or if your house is robbed, the police will not do
anything unless you offer a bribe or tip. Then and only then will they
start their investigation, otherwise not. In such situations, due to
pressure of circumstances, one will have to pay a bribe. At the same
time it is imperative to take a strong stand.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "If someone through pressure of
circumstances forces you to offer a bribe, do not forgive that person
till he / she is reformed." (7)
Medical industry: tips and bribes
Next Baba shows how in some places the medical industry is riddled by bribes.
Ananda Marga social philosophy guides us, "Countless complaints can be
made against doctors and the medical profession. Although it would take a
lot of space to list them all, let me briefly mention a few: patients
have to settle for adulterated medicines unless they bribe the
pharmacist; sweepers, orderlies and nurses do not take proper care of a
patient's needs unless they are tipped; a patient writhing in pain may
be rebuked instead of being given medicine; if one does not call the
doctor at least once for a personal consultation so that that doctor can
earn some extra money, one may be unable to secure a bed on one's next
visit to the hospital; a medicine that is supposedly out of stock in the
hospital can be illegally purchased in a nearby shop at an exorbitant
price; without bribing the doctor a sick patient will not be admitted to
the hospital; during the compulsory medical examination for a new job,
all the medical staff put out their hand for a bribe; the doctor in
collusion with the optician fails many people in their eye tests so that
they will have to buy glasses; hospital patients are served food which
is cheaper and of poorer quality than what they are entitled to; milk
and fruits reserved for patients are consumed by the hospital staff;
spurious drugs and injections are administered to patients. Such
grievances are endless. Some are extremely serious, involving
accusations of such irresponsibility that it is difficult to believe
that people actually have these experiences." (8)
Accepting a bribe may kill your son
Here Baba guides the negative reactions that come when one takes bribes.
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "When people rob others, or indulge in
hypocrisy, or cheat people, or indulge in tall talk day after day, they
are committing original actions. When a dishonest government employee
accepts a bribe it is an original action, and when his son gets sick and
has to be rushed to the doctor it is the reactive action (the reaction
to the original action). When his son dies he laments, “I haven’t
knowingly done anything wrong. Oh, Lord, why have you given me such
severe punishment.” But God did not give him any punishment – the deep
sorrow he felt at the death of his child was the result of his past
original actions." (9)
Tips effectively work in the same way as a bribe. Those who are known to
give generous tips get treated differently from others. They are given
the "royal treatment." Viewing the situation in this manner, it is very
evident that tips bring injustice and stagnancy in the society, just
like bribes. Preferential treatment becomes the rule of the day, not
true human feeling.
References
1. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #23d
2. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #23d
3. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #23b
4. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #23c
5. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #23d
6. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #24c
7. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #24c
8. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
9. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Smara nitya anityatám. You should remember always that you have come here for a short span. You won't remain in this world for a long period. You may remain here, say, for ninety or a hundred years, or say for 150 years. Some saints like Traelauṋga Svámii lived here for 350 years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations – limitations of time, space and person."
"So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span."
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won't remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, will not require a passport." (1)
1. 25 May 1979 evening, Rotterdam
