Baba
Not punitive but corrective
Namaskar,
Having a proper understanding of our Ananda Marga justice system is instrumental for creating security, peace, and harmony, both in our organisation and throughout the greater society. In His discourse on ‘Social Psychology’, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar guides us that without justice, unity and peace can never be achieved. Rather, in any society where members are denied due process and justice, that social order will disintegrate.
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We may only take corrective measures
And, in the chapter on 'Justice', Prout philosophy clearly delineates that to safeguard society, human beings should not take punitive measures against anyone.
Prout philosophy states, "It is obvious that for the preservation of social purity and integrity, humans can only take corrective measures, not penal." (1)
The above teaching guides us that, as human beings, we are only to issue disciplinary action based on rectification, not punishment. For instance, suppose a man commits a brutal double murder and is caught by the authorities. Then the only judicial actions that can be taken are those which help better that guilty murderer. Certainly, he may be separated from society for the safety of one and all. But in that time all sorts of efforts should be made to refine his character. That murderer should be given counseling, taught moral principles, and initiated into dharma sadhana - and other practical measures should be taken to improve his personality and character.
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In short, that incarcerated murderer should be trained in such a way that he may become an asset to society. There is no scope just to let him wither away in jail, where he leads a life of neglect, torture, and suffering. That will not do. No matter what a particular individual may have done, our approach is to take steps to help that person progress through measures of rectification etc. Punishment for the sake of "getting even" or harming the guilty party is not our way. According to Prout, we do not have the right to take penal action against anyone.
One of the reasons behind this is that the human justice system is imperfect. Innocent people are often detained, jailed, and deemed guilty. This has come to light even more in recent years with the use of DNA testing etc. So many innocent people were wrongly imprisoned and given harsh sentences. In that case, court ordered punishments upon innocent people only compound the problem. Whereas if the justice system is purely rectificatory in nature, then even if an innocent person is wrongly sentenced, he will be able to progress. The key point is that the sole aim of the justice system is to help that person become better.
Only cosmic law can punish
Penalisation itself is a distinct form of punishment that severely jeopardises the welfare and unity of the society. Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, the Propounder of Prout, explains that only cosmic law has the right and power to mete out punishment. Because cosmic law is perfect, beyond defect, and it will serve to bring one and all onto the path of supreme salvation.
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Prout philosophy states, "The divine system (the law of cause and effect) that controls every pulsation of human existence alone has the right to penalize humans, and no other." (2)
Conclusion
So by all this the following points are clear:
1. We humans can only give corrective measures in our legal proceedings;
2. We do not have the right to take punitive measures against anyone;
3. Only the divine system can take "penal" action.
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These three points lead to the following conclusion: Human beings, whether acarya or margii, cannot issue punitive decisions as the entire Ananda Marga justice system is based on corrective measures.
Prout philosophy states, "Harsh social punishment...does not find a place in our society. Ananda Marga has formed a society which frames its laws on the basis of common ideals in order to develop the idea of the oneness of all humanity." (3)
in Him,
Harihar
References
1. Human Society part 1, Justice
2. Human Society part 1, Justice
3. Prout Nutshell - 11, Ananda Marga: A Revolution
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Harsh reality of tattoos
Namaskar,
Shabda Cayanika says, "Kinnara microvita is that category of microvita which creates a thirst for beauty – a strong desire for beautification and decoration. The word kinnara means “receptacle of beauty” or “a beautiful and graceful structure”. This category of microvita creates a tendency in the human mind to make the human body as beautiful as the many forms and figures it observes in the external world. This tendency or propensity is called “kinnarii vrtti”. If the kinnaras direct the mind towards crude matter instead of leading it towards the subtler layers, they are considered to be enemy microvita or negative microvita." (1)
Under the spell of the negative / enemy aspect of kinnara microvita, these days many are trying to glorify themselves by decorating their bodies with tattoos. The popularity of tattoos is at an all-time high in materialistic countries. This type of approach is indicative of a degraded, extroverted mind - as Baba guides us in His above teaching.
In addition, recent surveys and research has shown that there are numerous health risks associated with tattoos. And that is the central theme of the news articles appended below.
Tattoos & complications
~ Courtesy of FDA gov(dot)org ~
As the popularity of tattoos continues to grow, so does the concern about potential risks. Some risks, such as the spread of infections through the use of unsterilized needles, have long been known. But what isn't clear is the safety of tattoo inks.
Permanent tattoos are made by using needles to inject colored ink below the skin's surface. Permanent make-up is considered a permanent tattoo that mimics the results of cosmetic products such as an eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner, or blush. While state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, ink and ink colorings (pigments) used in tattoos are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives.
FDA has received reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing or even years later. Some people report itchy or inflamed skin around their tattoos in the summer when they've been out in the sun. Recent reports associated with permanent make-up inks have prompted FDA to study tattoo ink safety.
What are the Risks
- Infection – Dirty needles can pass infections, like hepatitis and HIV, from one person to another.
- Allergies – Allergies to various ink pigments in both permanent and temporary tattoos have been reported and can cause problems.
- Scarring – Unwanted scar tissue may form when getting or removing a tattoo.
- Granulomas – These small knots or bumps may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
- MRI complications – People may have swelling or burning in the tattoo when they have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (Courtesy of FDA.gov)
Dermal conditions
~ Courtesy of Wikipedia ~
Keloid formation at the site of a tattoo.
The most common dermal reactions to tattoo pigments are granulomas and various lichenoid diseases. Other conditions noted have been cement dermatitis, collagen deposits, discoid lupus erythematosus, eczematous eruptions, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, and keloids. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
~ Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic ~
- Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
- Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after tattooing.
- Other skin problems. Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
- Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image. (Courtesy of Mayo Clinic)
In Him,
Jagadiish
(John Waters)
References
1. Microvitum in a Nutshell - 11, Crude and Subtle Microvita
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Just “doing the concrete work” is not enough
Prout philosophy guides us, “Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare. It may not be possible to bring about social welfare through constructive programmes and through the struggle against injustice alone.” (1)
Note: There are some who think that doing service only entails doing concrete work like building schools and medical clinics etc. However, in His about teaching, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar clearly guides us that arousing social consciousness is a key element for bringing welfare to humanity. That means, the mass of people need to be awakened and taught in the psychic and psycho-spiritual realms. Merely giving them physical support will not do. People need to be taught new ways of living and they need to be inculcated with a balanced and healthy outlook. With this heightened social consciousness, then our human society may progress by leaps and bounds. And without it, humanity will continue to wallow in suffering and neglect etc. So concrete works and opposing injustice are not enough. There has to be intense efforts to awaken the hearts and minds of the people towards a greater social understanding.
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, The Responsibility of Society
== Section: Important Teaching ==
One will have to take shelter in Him - 3
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Some so-called bhaktas – those who do not have genuine devotion - pretend to be devotees just to cheat others. That is, they ring the bells as they should be rung and light the candles as they should be lit, but without any feeling, so that after some time they become like machines. A person lacking devotion becomes like a machine. There is no more joy; only the mechanical turning of the parts. A heart devoid of joy is as barren as a desert. When one becomes as dry as the desert sands, one is compelled to cry out, “Oh Lord, save me. Protect me from the scorching heat of the desert.”" (1)
Note: In the life of a sadhaka on the spiritual journey, the first and foremost ingredient is surrender. Yet surrender itself is defined and described in a multitude of ways. In the above quote, surrender is explained in a very simple manner.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings to Read
Shraddhá & success
When science skews society
Mindless repetition not sadhana
Our special pracara approach
PTSD & AM remedy