Baba
Kind of bribe
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Viina of my inner core
"Adrira ma'jhe tumi himagiri, pus'per ma'jhe pa'rija'ta..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1685)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, You are the Greatest among the great, the Sweetest among the sweet. Amongst all the mountains, Your status is like the towering, snowy Himalayas. Of all the flowers, You are like the most brilliant pa’rija’t flower with its intoxicating aroma. With Your own hand You are touching and playing the strings of the viina of my inner core and infusing bhakti. With Your soft, loving touch, You are arousing the divine ecstasy in my mind.
Baba, I have come on this earth again and again and have loved You in so many ways. My whole existence has always revolved around You. All along You were with me by my side; but, even then my heart could never be satiated to its full content. At this time, You have brought me again on this earth. And, You also have brought a basket full of love for me. Now, please remain along with me always - day and night.
Among all the things which are dear, You are the Dearest. You are my Priyatama, the innermost One of my core. Of all those whom I love, You are the most precious and always reside inside my heart. I love You so much. Baba, what way You are, it is impossible to explain through language. I do not have any words to express Your glory. So I do sastaunga pranam to You - thousands of times, infinite times, again and again.
Baba, please keep me at Your lotus feet...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Way to please Him
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We are all the progeny of Parama Puruśa. He is creating each and every thing. There is no need to worry about the man-made distinctions between tall and short, black and white, male and female. Identify your mind with the Cosmic Mind and see whether that pleases Parama Puruśa or not. Do whatever pleases Him.”
“No father wants to see his child die of starvation or one of his children eating or accumulating more than required. You will have to develop the economic sphere to ensure that these things will never happen. In social life no father would wish to see his widowed daughter forced to dress in an austere fashion, persecuted socially, or debarred from attending social functions. You must not support these things. Rather, you must provide equal opportunities for all.”
“Parents hate to see their children weep. If they do, they take them on their lap and comfort them with love and affection until their tears stop. You will have to build a society in which no one is forced to weep, where everyone smiles joyfully all the time and gets ample scope for laughter. Seeing such mirth and merriment, Parama Puruśa will feel immensely pleased. By giving joy to Parama Puruśa you will feel even more joyful and will feel His close proximity. This is the actual social code. And the actual spiritual code is the one that helps humans move towards Parama Puruśa. Under no circumstances should one create unnecessary controversies. The social code aims at bringing a broad smile to the faces of the progeny of Parama Puruśa. You should all move along this path – you are sure to meet with success.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Which Is the Right Path?
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Your permanent home
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)
Reference
1. 25 May 1979 evening, Rotterdam
== Section 4: Links ==
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