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Sunday, April 14, 2024

Semitic faiths: plight of animals + 4 more

Baba

Semitic faiths: plight of animals

Note: Here it should be clearly understood that the Semitic faiths refer to (a) Christianity, (b) Judaism, and (c) Islam, as all three are Abrahamic religions, i.e Semitic faiths. 

Note 2: As Ananda Margiis, we adhere to a sentient diet and are conscious of treating animals in an ethical and compassionate manner. Now is the time for us to take a greater role in leading humanity forward on this issue. This below article is a key facet of this discussion.

Namaskar,

Our global humanity is an ever-rising community of people striving for a sentient way of living and refined ideas. And the holidays and festivals should reflect this. Unfortunately, our world-wide human family still partakes in festivals that feature harsh and cruel treatment to animals. Humanity has inherited these social functions from days-by-gone, and the time has come to rethink these events.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Gotten from the ages: 'put to death'


Many of the religious and social traditions on this earth cause the gross mutilation and rampant killing of animals during times of festivals. 

The Islamic festival Eid always includes the slaughtering of a goats is done by 100% of the Muslim population. This is a given for all Muslims. So here is a classic case of how human "celebrations" go hand in hand with the butchering of animals. Here below Baba indirectly points out the violence inherent to Islam.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “You know that there are certain religions which do not encourage aesthetic pursuits. You will notice that in those religions inertia, inferiority complexes and a sense of violence are predominant.” (1)

And Christianity and the west in general are also involved in this same destructive pattern. In particular, during the American holiday, 'Thanksgiving' millions upon millions of turkeys are massacred. Each and every household or family gathering celebrates this day by eating a murdered turkey. Plus nearly all the holidays from the Semitic religions (Christianity, Judaism, & Islam) revolve around meat-eating. That is the tradition.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

If we look further, we can find countless examples wherein our human family indulges in the cruel treatment of animals as a means to honor the gods and show our festive spirit during the holidays. There is a long, dark history of this, often stemming from times when the people did not have the knowledge or capability to observe festivals in other ways. Over the generations, these cruel and senseless traditions have been kept alive. Still today, they are common.

During the Hindu Durga Puja, animal sacrifices are done in a few temples in India. It is the people's way of "pleasing the gods". And during the pre-historic Aryan tradition, there was a long history of such types of rampant animal killing in their various yajinas, religious rituals, and ceremonies of worship. Further down in this mailing are details how in the pre-historic era the Chambal river was turned into a river of blood created by thousands of animal sacrifices.

'Creation is for our enjoyment'


In this modern era, wherein popular western values are spreading around the globe at record pace, the archaic psychology, 'this creation is for our enjoyment', needs to be firmly addressed. The Semitic religions (Christianity, Judaism, & Islam) preach that God has put all these beings and creatures on this earth for human enjoyment. This is the anthropocentric vision that is grabbing hold of so many people. In the past, the Semitic religions would preach this gospel and now pseudo-culture popularizes this same approach via its 'me-first', self-indulgent manners. It has become the fashion to 'treat yourself right', regardless of the cost to others.

All of the above contravenes our teachings of neo-humanism. And it is time to become more active in putting these dogmas to rest. Animal cruelty and torture is a remnant from humanity's barbaric past. However, the picture is not entirely bleak. In communities around the globe, there are many raising the slogan of animal welfare and animal rights.


Our changing humanity

Today, then our humanity is going through much advancement in many respects. Now is the time to question past traditions and rethink the way we celebrate during times of festivals. After all, so many new outlooks are being born each and every day: women's rights, minority rights, native rights, rights of the accused etc. In each and every sphere of life we are rethinking our relationships with other human groups. And this has brought respect and dignity to our human family.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadly, this trend has failed to come full circle with regards to the rights of animals. Some progress has been made, but there is much work to be done. In the dark past, humans were offered to the gods via sacrificial fires; that has now stopped. Yet other issues abound like human trafficking, genocide, etc. So there remains much work to be done. But at least those sacrificial rituals are a thing of the past. Now, we have to put an end to such rituals involving the sacrifice of animals.

Around the globe during times of festivals, people heartily look forward to "sumptuous meals" born from the ruthless killing and torture of animals. 'Thanksgiving' is just one of many such occasions where people blindly overlook the senseless destruction of animals for their own selfish pleasure.

We have to ask ourselves, 'Is this the civilisation we want to perpetuate and pass down to our children?' Now then is the time to raise consciousness on this dire issue. Oftentimes, animals look to us for shelter and support, and in response we outrightly breach that trust and dupe them into walking into their own death.

Conclusion


Our duty as Ananda Margiis is to facilitate that transition from the outlook of old where animals are senselessly tortured and slaughtered to a neo-humanistic perspective where animals are granted their rightful place on this earth. They should be allowed to live freely, not just as pawns of human abuse. With more education and awareness, the celebrations during festivals, of any tradition, will come to reflect this neo-humanistic order.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Nirvan

~ In-depth study ~

Here Baba identifies how the human psyche wrongly justifies the slaughtering of animals. Deep inside people know it is not right, but they cover it up will all kinds of false logic.

The teachings of Ananda Marga say, "When people sacrifice a goat or buffalo in a religious festival while chanting “Divine goddess, divine goddess!” before a deity, they know that the animal is an irreplaceable part of creation, but still they slaughter it. This is hypocrites’ dogma." (2)

Against natural law for humans to eat meat


Here below Baba clearly points out that it is against the law of nature for humans to eat meat.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "According to the laws of nature, canine teeth are necessary …... Carnivorous animals such as cats, dogs, tigers and lions possess canine teeth, but cows, monkeys, elephants, wild asses, etc. do not possess canine teeth. Nature does not want them to eat meat. But what do greedy human beings do? Even though they do not possess canine teeth, they cook or boil meat so that they can eat it. This is done out of greed. According to the laws of nature, human beings are not carnivorous. So, if they eat meat they will catch numerous diseases. Vegetarians generally suffer from fewer diseases than non-vegetarians because they are more habituated to following natural laws. You must have noticed that those who violate the laws of nature and become non-vegetarian, even though they do not possess canine teeth, have peculiar eating habits. Sometimes it even seems as if non-vegetarians eat like dogs." (3)

Animal sacrifices & the Chambal river


Next Baba sheds light on the horrors of past animal sacrifices where the spilling of blood was like the flow of one river.

The teachings of Ananda Marga say, "When the Aryans were living in the Rajasthan area in the western part of India, they found many animals there, because there were forests and sufficient rainfall. They used to perform sacrificial rites by killing these animals. There is a story that once they performed a sacrificial ritual killing hundreds of thousands of animals; the heaps of those animals’ skins was as high as a mountain, and blood streamed down unceasingly from that pile of skins. It looked as if a river was flowing. After a long distance, this stream of blood flowed into the Ganges River. As the stream of blood flowing from the pile of animal skins took the form of a river, it was named Carman'vatii in Sanskrit. The present name of the river is Chambal." (4)

Dogma: putting animals to sleep

One other misconception these days is that people, especially in the west, brag about how kind they are to their own pets, yet in the end put their pets "to sleep", when they think the animal is too old and frail. People sympathetically boast of their compassion in doing such things. But really is this a practice that can be supported. Under normal circumstances, would we put elderly human beings to sleep as well at a time we deem fit. Or do we honor them up to the last breath. Our way is to respect their dignity and let them live out their days according to nature's design. We do not prematurely put them to death. But this same  respect we do not extend to animals. Rather we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are doing proper by intentionally putting an animal to sleep, when in fact we are rudely ending their life.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Only humans are this cruel


Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Vultures are carnivorous birds. Yet it is found that they are not cruel or heartless. Usually, like eagles, they do not attack living humans or animals. Their habit is to eat the flesh of dead bodies. There was an incident in my childhood that I can still vividly recall. On the west of our locality there was a large field which bordered on a tributary of the Ganges. As the soil was not fit for cultivation nothing could be grown there. On the upper side of that fallow land was a mound upon which stood a large tamarind tree. A vulture lived in a nest on the tree. Beside the mound was the site for the disposal of carcasses. Cows used to graze in the field as did a few horses and sheep. Once an old cow came there and fell flat on the ground due to utter exhaustion. The veterinary doctor came and said, “The cow has no chance of survival. She is likely to die in a few hours.” The owner of the cow was a very kind-hearted man. He tried to save the cow in various ways but in vain. I noticed that as long as the cow was alive, she gently wagged her tail, even when her eyes were half closed. There was no other symptom of life, at least that is what it seemed to me. I also noticed that while her tail was wagging, the vulture stayed patiently in the tree. It came to eat the cow’s flesh only an hour after her natural death. Human beings are more cruel than vultures. Their hearts don’t melt even at the sight of tears of innocent birds and animals. Just to gratify their sense of greed, they mercilessly slit the throats of animals with sharp knives and swords and thus deprive them of the right to live, even while preaching the hollow dictates of religion." (5)

How Semitic religions view the world


The teachings of Ananda Marga say, "At one time people were told that this world is for human enjoyment only, so the existence of all the plants, of all the birds and animals, in the world is intended merely to provide objects of enjoyment for human beings. Their hopes and aspirations, their intense desire to live, their pains and pleasures, their affectionate family or community lives are simply without value. However much a baby goat may wish to live, the main consideration is how much meat that kid carries on its frame. This defective philosophy has made people ruthlessly violent – even more dangerous than blood-thirsty tigers. Tigers kill only to fill their stomachs, to preserve their physical existence; whereas human beings kill animals mostly out of greed. Generally people have resorted to hypocrisy to camouflage this instinct of greed; they have killed animals on the pretext of pleasing the gods, while actually their main motive in doing so was to please their own tongues. These are all the inevitable results of such defective philosophies." (6)

As a humanity, we will rethink our role on this earth and treat all animals with dignity and respect, and not work towards their wanton destruction.

The teachings of Ananda Marga say, "Human beings are more cruel than vultures. Their hearts don’t melt even at the sight of tears of innocent birds and animals. Just to gratify their sense of greed, they mercilessly slit the throats of animals with sharp knives and swords and thus deprive them of the right to live, even while preaching the hollow dictates of religion." (7)

Senseless ecological devastation for self-interest


Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Human beings led by self-interest have been neglecting ecology at every step. We should remember that the sky and air, the hills and mountains, the rivers and forests, the wild animals and reptiles, the birds and fishes and all sorts of aquatic creatures and plants are all inseparably related to one another. Human beings are an integral part of that vast common society. No one can survive to the exclusion of others, not even human beings. If they continue to destroy forests, kill wild animals and exterminate fishes and birds foolishly, it won’t serve any of their purposes. Whoever comes onto this world goes. One only survives on this earth for a limited period as stipulated by nature. Due to the foolishness of human beings many creatures and objects will not survive the period fixed for them by nature. Prior to their stipulated period of longevity they will be swallowed up by eternity. Human beings due to their utmost folly have annihilated numerous objects and thus prepared their own funeral pyre. Such folly on the part of human beings is unbearable. Human beings must be cautious from now on. They must restructure their thoughts, plans and activities in accordance with the dictates of ecology. There is no alternative." (8)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10, Yatamána – the Stage of Perseverance
2. Prout Nutshell - 16, 'Religious Dogma - B'
3. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Plants, Animals and Human Beings
4. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 7
5. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt A
6. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 14
7. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt A
8. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt B

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section: News (2018) ==

Tale of torture of one WT

Namaskar,

#1: The Nairobi SS Diptimayananda tortured Dada Shubhavratananda and sent him back to India under the order of Centre. Now Shubhavratananda is in Mumbai India, and he is very frustrated. Here is the story how it happened.

#2: Ac Shubhavratananda Avt is a senior WT of AMPS but the way Rudrananda and Madhuvratananda are pitting common and junior Wts against the senior Wts makes them get fed up.

#3: Dada Shubhavratananda is a very simple and hard-working WT of AMPS. Wherever he was posted he has done some constructive work and even there in Nairobi he purchased 5 acres land and established the Children Home, but he was abused and tortured by Nairobi SS Diiptimayananda. First Diiptimayananda went to beat Shubhavratananda during the night after that again one day Diiptimayananda sent goons to beat Shubhavratananda. Thereafter, Diiptimayananda cancelled Shubhavratananda’s visa. Then Diiptimayananda informed immigration office and called the police to have Shubhavratananda arrested. Shubhavratananda even told the Police that, “I am leaving the country soon on 30th October” but still they harassed him.

#4: Over this period, Shubhavratananda called to GS and in the beginning GS told him that he is going to talk to SS about his (Shubhavratananda’s) matter. But later on when situation became worse, Shubhavratananda called GS and GS told him to return back to India with all his belongings.

#5: That’s why Shubhavratananda is so frustrated, and he is not talking to anybody. Now he is in Mumbai and a few Dadas are there with him and he is doing whatever he can to help in the coming DMS in Mumbai.

#6: Then just the other day, GS called Shubhavratananda and told him that, “You (Shubhavratananda) better you come to New Delhi. Dada Rudrananda is here at the Baba Quarter so come here and talk to Rudrananda.” But this is nothing more than an attempt to brainwash Shubhavratananda and post him to a place where the situation is not good, i.e. punishment posting.

In Him,
Jayesh


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Unholy birth of capitalism

Prout philosophy states, “How was capitalism created? Capital is consumable commodities in their potentiality. Intelligent people collect more capital than others in the form of consumable goods, but since this capital cannot be stored for a long time, they began to keep it in the form of money. Such people are called capitalists. These capitalists are the unworthy sons and daughters of the Cosmic Father because they go against the principle of cosmic inheritance. They should be cured of their ailments. To fight capitalism is therefore within your goal. The seed of infinite expression lies within Dharma, but you must nourish it. Capitalists create hindrances on the path of human beings to prevent them from becoming one with the cosmos – to prevent them from becoming great. So capitalism is anti-Dharma and the actions of capitalists are also anti-Dharma.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Hindi Quote ==

अहैतुकी कृपा?“मनुष्य करेंगे साधना, मनुष्य करेंगे जनसेवा, मनुष्य अच्छे-अच्छे काम करते रहेंगे | मगर कहते रहेंगे---"परमपुरुष ! मैं हूँ क्या ? तुम्हारे कृपा का भिखारी हूँ, कृपा का भिखारी हूँ | तुम कृपा करो, सब कुछ मिल जाएगा |
["बाबा, बाबा, बाबा !"]
हाँ | तो, "मैं तुम से अगर चाहता हूँ, तो एक ही चीज़ चाहता हूँ, कि अहैतुकी कृपा | सिर्फ़ कृपा नहीं, अहैतुकी कृपा | क्यों अहैतुकी कृपा कहूँगा ? कृपा में अगर युक्ति हो, कि मुझमें यह गुण है इसलिए कृपा करो | तो, उस युक्ति के अनुसार मैं कृपा नहीं पा सकता हूँ | क्योंकि मुझमें उतना गुण नहीं है, इसलिए कहूँगा कि अहैतुकी कृपा | अर्थात्‌ कृपा के पीछे कोई वजह नहीं, इसलिए कहूँगा कि अहैतुकी कृपा | अर्थात्‌ कृपा के पीछे कोई वजह नहीं, कृपा तुम करो | तुम्हारी कृपा के कारण ही कृपा | अर्थात्‌ तुम्हारी कृपा की बदौलत मुझे कृपा मिले, मेरी योग्यता के बदौलत नहीं |" बात यही है | यही सबसे बड़ी बात है, और विश्वब्रह्माण्ड में यही बात है "चरम-सत्य तथा परम-सत्य" |”

 [यह बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया, बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्द मार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं] [1]

Reference
1. 
हिंदी, अप्रकाशित 29 May 1983 Ananda Nagar


== Section 2: Links ==



What to wear: AM funeral + 2 more

Baba
What to wear: AM funeral 

Namaskar,

When a person dies, then what colour clothes should we wear to their death ceremony? For example, some female Christians wear a black dress when their spouse dies. In the religions around the world, similar provisions of wearing particular clothes exist. What does AM philosophy recommend on this matter?  


Vibration of colour

Every colour has a vibration. For example, white colour represents a sattvika feeling. It creates a soothing good feeling in the mind. The colour red generates feelings of himsa (violence) feeling. According to AM philosophy, colour does not represent psychological feeling, but rather each colour affects the mind according to the vibration of the colour. Saffron colour represents sacrifice; and, black has the vibration of sorrow and depression. When people use a specific colour of dress for an occasion it is because of what they have been following as tradition. It is not based on the vibration of the colours.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Which colour & attire in sad occasion 


When we are surrounded by sadness; we should use a colour which removes that sadness. But if we use black colour which generates a vibration of sadness then it will not work, it will make the situation worse. That is why when there is sorrow or darkness, then using black colour will increase the sorrow further. That is why it is not recommended to use black colour when attending a death ceremony (shava-satka’ra). One can wear white, but AM philosophy does not recommend any specific colour. This is because Ananda Marga is manava dharma which is for all human beings irrespective of caste, colour, age, race, ethnicity, geographical location etc. So AM sadhakas live everywhere in the world including in rich and poor countries, very hot to very cold climates etc. So recommending a dress code in these circumstances is not appropriate. That is why in AM there is no dress code for observing death ceremonies.

AM philosophy says the dress code should be appropriately made for different types of climatic conditions, needs of people at different locations. Yes---He guides that people should cover their bodies when they go out of the house, which is good for society. But which type of dress to use there is no restriction as long as the body is covered. The question of who is going to wear pants, who is going to wear kurta is according to availability of clothes, and the location where one lives. If one is a poor farmer, how can one afford to use a dhoti or pants? Similarly, if one works on mountains, then their dress will be different, as per the needs of circumstances one is in. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So Ananda Marga is for all. One can die anywhere, and when rules are written for human dharma, then that should be followed. By considering all these factors, AM philosophy made guidelines which can be easily followed by all as well as which are logical. While white dress is good, but it is not strictly recommended that one would wear white colour dress in the event of death. But according to rule, as much as possible one should not wear black colour dress in the event of death because of aforementioned effect of black colour vibration and so should not be used. But if possible white colour can be used because white has a satvik vibration which will lead to reducing the darkness around.

One example: The king of Thailand died in recent years. People were ordered to mourn his death for an entire year, and then after a year it was decided that his body will be burnt. On this occasion it was ordered that whoever has been a public employee in the past or present, as well as people who came from abroad, will wear black dress. Everyone who was present had to wear black clothes. This is dogma. There is no such logic on why such dress colour was ordered. It might be the case that someone has started such a tradition before and people are following it blindly.


AM Guideline: attire

The summary is AM is for everybody, and so in AM there are no specific guidelines in using dress type and colour in observing death ceremonies. People live in very diverse climatic conditions; some live in very cold climates, while others live in extreme hot climates. People in cold climates need to cover their whole body, whereas people in hot climates use dress so their body can get air, and will not be affected by extreme heat. If there were specific rules, then people who live in extreme climatic areas may feel that they are not able to adhere to strict guidelines of manava dharma. For that reason, there is no specific guideline. But in the so called religions around the world, people who follow them blindly buy clothes for specific ceremonies (black dress for the death ceremony). 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But people who are new in Ananda Marga and whose ancestors were Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or any other religion, may even try to follow what their ancestors did and follow family traditions. But according to AM philosophy there is no dress type or colour code for death ceremonies. If one has the option, they can wear white but not black. Wearing black dress is a dogma, and one should reject that approach.

In Him,
Nirakara

One note here is that colour is mentioned in the sense of matter (such as dress) but not the colour of human skin. All humans are equal, and skin colour is not a representation of how one thinks. But certainly the colour of material objects has a vibration; one who is crude may not feel it but others can recognize it.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Sad occasion: white attire

Here below is an English summary of Baba’s original Hindi teaching of Svastik Jhan'd'a' (1970). 

Various colours each have their own particular effect on the human mind. White colour is the symbol of purity. There is an old tradition in India that at the time of sad occasions they used to wear white coloured dress. That means the pain which has come in the mind due to loss, that loss they wanted to remove by this white coloured attire or garment. Because of this, people used to wear white dress. The colour of sadness is black. If someone uses black dress in an attempt to remove their pain or agony, in result they will only increase their suffering. Because of this, in any sad occasion or mourning ceremony, black colour should never be used. One should use white dress. (English summary)


*        *        *

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 ==

So much injustice

"Mánavatár mukta dhárá, baháye dile dharáte..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3984)

Purport: 

Parama Purusa, You have come and unleashed the free-flowing fountain of humanity on this earth. Demons will no longer be able to continue their ugly dance of disaster, looting, plunder, exploitation, and murder.   

Since ages, people have been crying in agony and pain. There was so much injustice, suffering, bloodshed, war, and communal rights that were being perpetrated by anti-social elements. Immoralists were using their weapons to torture innocent people in so many ways. With refulgence You came, my Great Entity, and wiped away all suffering and injustices from everywhere. 

That time human beings were thinking that they were just animals. They forgot their real identity. Their actions, lifestyle, thinking, and everything was vulgar. They viewed themselves as brutes - nothing more. They were imagining that by indulging in materialism and sensual pleasure they will be victorious and reach their destination. They thought their purpose for coming here and getting this human body was for satisfying their baser propensities. In this transitional period, You have come and made them understand their blunder. They realised their mistake and gave up their debased way of living. 
  
Today, You have come and created a sentient vibration, ignited the light, and removed the pain and suffering for one and all. Baba, this is all Your grace... 


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Oppose those who invented differentiations

   Ananda Marga ideology says, “Just see the case of air, light, water, respirations and everything. The need for these things is the same for all individuals. There have been no differentiations. These differentiations that we see in society are creations of vested interests, creations of depraved persons, of degenerated, immoral people. So you should not support these actional defects of immoral persons. You should follow the divine vibrational system, that is, you must not try to find any differentiations among individuals. “Devábhágaḿ yathápúrve saḿjánáná upásate.” It is the wont of divine expressions that there be no differentiations, no class of exploiters and exploited. That is, this wont of not creating any differentiations was not only their duty, it was their upásaná, the desideratum of their existential march.”
   “Samáni va ákuti”. When everything cometh from the same source, from the same Progenitor, and when finally everything goeth back to the same desideratum, there must be the same aspirations, the same longing, in the heart of each and every individual. But due to the depraving actions of immoral people, those exploited, those downtrodden people are forced to forget their goal. They are drifted away from the desideratum of their life. This should not be done. Everybody should get the chance to develop their natural longings for Him.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ


== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS