Baba
Story: why no lottery
Namaskar,
In the 1960's, Baba was placing a big emphasis on social service work. There was tremendous pressure to increase the number and quality of our social service projects. But, as an organisation, we lacked the requisite money to finance all these works. The projects were many, and the number of margiis was less. Our economic means were quite limited; lack of money limited what we could do.
Around that time, the Indian government started a lottery. I thought this was a very good way for us to increase our capital. My plan to purchase lottery tickets in the name of Ananda Marga, and Baba will use His mantra. By that way we will possess the winning ticket and gain huge money. Then we will be able to perform numerous social service projects. It seemed like the perfect plan. I told everyone that this was a great opportunity and that I would raise the matter with Baba to gain His approval, i.e. grace.
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Baba rejects my plea for lottery
Soon thereafter, I was in Baba's presence and He gave me an opportunity to raise my query. I said, "Baba, the government of India has started a new lottery game, so I thought we should participate and purchase tickets. With the winnings, we could then do maximum social service."
Baba replied, No, this is very bad. True margiis will never participate in any type of lottery. It is just a waste of money. There will not be any gain. The only outcome is that people's greed will increase. This is a bad idea - never think of participating in the lottery, or indulge in gambling etc.
Sadguru Baba rejected the idea of playing the lottery. I told everyone of Baba's decision. Some were disappointed, but we were all keen in following Baba's order. True margiis will not gain or win anything if they buy a lottery ticket - only loss. By playing the lottery, the mind becomes stained and degraded. And one’s penchant for greed multiplies. As we all know, greed is an aspect of avidya maya which leads to psychic degeneration.
Takeaway: helping less, hurting more
This story gives us the guideline that as Ananda Margiis we should not engage in those activities which are detrimental for one’s own self or the general society. If a party or an institution within Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha is involved in lotteries or gambling to fund social service projects, then that will be disastrous and margiis will do the same for their personal gain. Verily, this disease and social ill of gambling will multiply. The black money earned from lotteries and gambling is harmful because it encourages this vice, and that leads to more problems in the society. For this reason, according to Ananda Marga ethical guidelines, certain jobs harmful to the collective are looked upon as lowly. No right minded person should do them, let alone Ananda Margiis.
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For example:
- Earning money by selling drugs to contribute to a children’s home;
- Earning money by running a lewd (sensual) call center to support a leprosy clinic;
- Earning money by committing road robbery to build 15-story homeless centre;
- Earning money by selling adulterated, medicines for flood relief;
- Earning money by selling meat to help heart patients;
- Earning money by opening a prostitution home to help victims of human trafficking;
- Earning money by lending money at a high interest rate in order to run a free hospital.
This list of sinful jobs is very long. These activities and occupations are antithetical to Ananda Marga and they are self-defeating. On the one side you are harming society and earning money, and on the other side you are deceiving yourself that you are running a social service project like a children’s home or hospital. But this is just creating negative habits in society that are detrimental in all spheres of life. This is looked upon as abhorrent and sinful as well.
Unfortunately, in various corners of the globe similar types of despicable activities are going on in the name of funding social service projects by xyz organisations. It is so sad. Those running the show befool themselves that although they are earning money in a negative way it is alright because they are running a service project. May their mind open wherein they can realise their sin and stop that type of business.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "A temptation such as lobha (avarice) is a principle of avidyámáyá. It can only be overcome by reducing the influence of avidyámáyá through intuitional practice (sádhaná). One will never be able to keep away from temptation without overcoming the influence of avidyámáyá. This is possible only through progress in intuitional practice." (1)
And here below Baba has clearly forbidden us to engage in any kind of gambling and lotteries.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The habit of making wagers is extremely undesirable. You must avoid lotteries and gambling.” (2)
Lottery ruins
The exploited, impoverished masses are goaded by the exploiters to purchase lottery tickets. The poor are brainwashed into thinking that by this way they will be able to overcome their poverty and become rich. And when they invariably do not win the lottery and their poverty multiplies, those impoverished people blame themselves for being unlucky. Side by side, the exploited mass believes that the rich are fortunate and that is why they have money. They do not realise that the rich have accumulated wealth by exploiting others.
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The poor believe that, “Due to my misfortune and bad luck, I do not have money.” They fail to realise that their poverty is the result of systemic exploitation, low wages, and numerous other tactics implemented by the wealthy. Wherever people are dominated by the idea that the lottery is their ticket out of poverty, it is extremely difficult to raise their awareness about economic exploitation. They fail to understand that exploitation is the driving force behind their poverty because they are engrossed in the notion that they are just unlucky and if a stroke of fortune comes their way then surely they will become rich.
Lottery gives negative message & self-blame
Some lotteries are worth huge sums of money. This gives the notion that societal systems are not founded on rewarding those who work hard and gain success, i.e. meritocracy, rather it is all just due to luck. People rely on the luck of the lottery to enhance their lot in life. A distinct portion of society operates in this way. When people think that chance and good fortune - not hard work and ingenuity - are the cause of one's success or lack thereof, they have fallen into a very dangerous and harmful outlook.
As Baba has discussed in numerous discourses, when one gives way or indulges in a particular propensity, like greed etc, then that propensity increases. That is the theorem: A propensity gets stronger as it is activated. So if a person indulges in greed or anger, than that propensity or vrtti will gain a greater hold over that person. That is the way it goes.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The peculiar nature of these propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase. And they easily come under control with a slight effort; only in the initial stage, one must struggle a little to control them." (3)
With regards to playing the lottery or gambling, as one thinks about winning money, then their desire increases and their greed multiplies. In turn, one will gamble more or buy more lottery tickets. One's psychic pabulum focuses more on money and in so doing the mind becomes stained - degraded. And one's penchant for greed goes on increasing. From beginning to end this is not good for sadhakas.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "A person who is greedy for money becomes totally preoccupied with the thought of making money;...." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "The mind becomes so infatuated with its crude objects that ultimately it becomes converted into matter. It follows the path of negative pratisaincara." (5)
Sadguru says, "When the tendency towards acquisition in the physical world is extremely strong, people's tendency to assimilate spiritual or intellectual things is usually noticeably weaker. In that condition, their thirst for the material world becomes very intense." (6)
Lottery: the poor loses & indulge more vices
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this predicament. Its consequences are dreadful. The irrational thirst for acquisition of material things is termed “greed”; ….. the tendency to acquire the objects of material enjoyment in ever-increasing quantities."
"So whether in the material world or in the intellectual world, the predominant tendency that makes today's people, both individually and collectively, rush headlong without control, is the instinct of greed. The propensity of greed, if not controlled by rationality, or benevolent intellect, or spiritual practices, will lead to premature death. Nothing can save human beings from this. This instinct of greed has brought the present humanity to such a state that people no longer consider anything as sinful. Rather, they consider the “sin psychology” as a mental weakness, and the worst of sins are being glorified as the height of intellect, not only indirectly, but also openly...Lobhah pápasya hetubhútah [“Greed is the root cause of all sins”]." (7)
So greed / avarice is one of the six internal enemies and part and parcel of avidya maya. The disease behind the lottery and gambling is found in the sadripus because greed for material wealth is one of the six internal enemies. So this penchant for lottery and gambling is embedded deep within the human psyche. If this tendency or enemy of greed is encouraged it will grow and grow. It can swallow one's entire existence where a person even destroys their family and commits suicide - all due to greed.
Encouraging people to participate in lotteries and gambling is extremely dangerous - it can easily ruin their entire existence. Now that we have uncovered the root cause of the problem, we should investigate the treatment as well.
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Lotteries enable the powerful politicians and wealthy shareholders to further exploit the masses because instead of demanding an end to socio-economic exploitation etc, the common people just bask in the false hope of winning the lottery and joining the ultra-rich. Instead of pushing for social change and justice, the sedated masses avoid revolutionary approaches and sit back and play the lottery. By this maneuver of creating lotteries, political leaders maintain the status quo - they are not pressured to respond to social ills.
Conclusion
So wherever lotteries are embraced by the people, Prout can never be established. In order to propagate Prout, the first step is to open the eyes of the common mass. They have to realise the presence of exploitation and give up their bad habit and false hope of lotteries, gambling, and stocks etc. Only then will they be able to understand that capitalist economic exploitation is the cause of their poverty and suffering. Their economic woes are not because of not winning the lottery but due to extremely low wages.
The central idea is that nobody should earn money in sinful ways and justify that, “I earned the money in a dark manner, but it is ok because I am funding this or that social service project.” One should never commit this act. That is what Baba teaches us in the above story.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Giitiishvara
The above story was recounted by a margii from Varanasi, Shrii Narendra Vikram. Hence the "I" refers to Shrii Vikram ji.
All sorts of gambling including lotteries are forbidden in Ananda Marga as it brings psychic degeneration and creates a whole host of social problems.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
2. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #38
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 16)
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice
5. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice
6. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva’s Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10)
7. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva’s Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10)
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Culture & customs
Prout philosophy states, "Culture is a vague term. It is the collective name for different expressions of life. People eat, enjoy hospitality, laugh on some occasions and shed tears on others, and thereby express life through various actions. The collective name of all these actions is culture."
"According to PROUT all of society has the same culture. There are local variations in the mode or state of cultural expression, but the expression is universal. While everybody eats, some eat by hand, others by stick and still others by spoon. Indian dance is based on Mudrá or dance postures, and European dance is based on rhythm, but they do not represent two different cultures."
"Local variations will diminish if there is a close blending between different groups of people, because this will create common customs. In Nepal there is a blending of Hindu and Buddhist customs. In Bengal there is a blending of Aryan and Dravidian customs. These local variations are called customs. Thus local modes of expression bearing local or group specialities are customs, but the expression itself is culture. Therefore it is a mistake to readjust boundaries on the basis of language and culture. Indian culture and the culture of the world are one and the same." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
The slippery slope of tolerance
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Human beings will have to practise tolerance. But this spirit of tolerance must be developed only in individual life; in collective life it must not be expressed. If a country illegally grabs even one inch of your land you must take one mile of the aggressor’s land; no spirit of tolerance in this regard is permissible. If you show your tolerance then they will take one inch today and one mile tomorrow. However, you can practise toleration as much as possible in individual life, and that will be considered a sign of greatness." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
== Section : Important Teachings ==
Longing for power & post is deadlyAnanda Marga ideology states, "Human beings take form according to the characteristics of their object of ideation...Those who have an ambition for power, are called raks'a. Suppose a man has grown old but still has an ambition for power. He thinks he should become this, he should become that, he thinks he should attain this status or that status. After death what shall this person become? He shall become raks'a-- that is raks'as'a." (1)
Note: Unfortunately those running after post, power, prestige status etc will ultimately become lowly microvita. As sadhakas - as well-wishers of the humanity - we should guide and teach such persons not to crave after worldly status and degenerate themselves. It is our duty to help them. We should serve them and teach them to think about Parama Purusa - and not lust after power, prestige, social status, post etc. This should be our approach. Thus when some of our Central Dadas and others are craving for post and power we should intervene and save them from their terrible fate. They should be taught the ways of neo-humanism, otherwise they will plunge themselves into a dark future and face so many negative consequences.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Psycho-Spiritual Evolution of Humans
== Section: Hindi Quote ==
तू वहाँ जा
"ऊतामृतत्वस्येशानो"---”अगर परमात्मा decide करें ऐसा कि---"मैं पापियों का नहीं हूँ | पापी निकल जाए |” तो, पापी पूछेगा---"कृपया यह तो बताओ, मैं कहाँ जाऊँ ?" देखो उनके बाहर में तो कुछ नहीं है | वे बाहर जाने के लिए अगर बोलें, तो बोलेंगे कि---"मेरा जो area है, सरहद है, उसके बाहर चले जाओ |” “तो, तुम्हारे सरहद के बाहर कौन जगह है, बता दो ज़रा ? बताओ ?” वे तो नहीं बता सकेंगे | तब उनको क्या करना पड़ेगा ? अपना ही थोड़ा-सा portion को अलग करके बोलना पड़ेगा---"तू वहाँ जा |" तब थोड़ा-सा area जब बाहर उनसे चला गया, तब वे तो सर्वव्यापी नहीं रहे | उनके बाहर में वे पापी लोग चले गए |”
[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. S24-06
== Section: Bangla Quote ==
কপাল সাধনা যা তোমাদের
“এই বারাণসী বা কাশী এখানে প্রতিষ্ঠিত হয়ে গেলে মনকে খুৰ দ্রুত উপরে তুলে ফেলতে হয় | এবং তন্ত্র সাধনা, কপাল সাধনা যা তোমাদের কেউ কেউ শিখেছ, এর ফলে মনে সেই দ্রুতি আসে, বেগ আসে | তখন এই যে বারাণসী তত্ত্ব এতে প্রতিষ্ঠিত হতে একটু সুবিধা হয় | তা না হ’লে, পারৰে সৰাই | কেন পারৰে না ? যে মানুষের শরীর পেয়েছে, সেই পারৰে |" (1)
Unfortunately, the below English translation from the Electronic Edition of Baba's books (2009) is not up to the mark. It does not accurately portray Guru's original teaching given in Bengali featured above.
“To establish the mind on this point of Váráńasii or káshi, one has to quickly elevate the mind. Those who have learnt the technique of Tantra sádhaná or kápálika sádhaná, know what joy can be derived from this. It helps to establish the practitioner in the cult of Váráńasii. Those who have not yet mastered it, will one day be established in the cult of Váráńasii. Why not? Those who have acquired a human structure will surely be established in Váráńasii.]” (1)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, Where Is Varanasi
== Section: Prout ==
Capitalism can be eradicated
Capitalism can be eradicated
"Considering the collective interests of all living beings, it is essential that capitalism be eradicated. But, what should be the proper method to achieve this end?"
"It cannot be denied that violence gives rise to violence. Then again, nothing can ensure that the application of force without violence, with the intention of rectification, will necessarily bring good results. So what should be done under such circumstances?"
"Nothing would be better, if it were possible, than the eradication of capitalism by friendly persuasion and humanistic appeals. In that case the peace of the greater human family would not be much disturbed. But can it be guaranteed that everyone will respond to this approach? Some people may say that a day will come when, as a result of repeatedly listening to such appeals and gradually imbibing them over a long time, as well as through proper mental and spiritual education, good sense will prevail among the exploiters. This argument is very pleasant to hear. Such attempts are not reprehensible. But is it practicable to wait indefinitely for good sense to prevail among the exploiters? By then the exploited mass will have given up the ghost!"
Reference
1. Problems of the Day, point #2
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
“We are proceeding from darkness towards effulgence, from imperfection along the golden steps to perfection. No obstacle on the way will be able to stop our advancement. Pushing aside and smashing all obstacles and impediments we will move along our destined path. Our ideological rationality is our valuable asset; the blissful glow of Macrocosmic effulgence is our goal and the inherent desire to bring well-being to all living creatures is our way.”
“Moving ahead is the very want of life. Wasting valuable time in lethargy is nothing but inertness; hence we must keep moving. The chant of our forward movement will be our vocal expression, the very pulsation of our life.” (Ananda Vanii #72)
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 which are fabricated by most of the groups - H, B etc.
Solution to inertness
“We are proceeding from darkness towards effulgence, from imperfection along the golden steps to perfection. No obstacle on the way will be able to stop our advancement. Pushing aside and smashing all obstacles and impediments we will move along our destined path. Our ideological rationality is our valuable asset; the blissful glow of Macrocosmic effulgence is our goal and the inherent desire to bring well-being to all living creatures is our way.”
“Moving ahead is the very want of life. Wasting valuable time in lethargy is nothing but inertness; hence we must keep moving. The chant of our forward movement will be our vocal expression, the very pulsation of our life.” (Ananda Vanii #72)
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 which are fabricated by most of the groups - H, B etc.
== Section 3: Links ==
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