Baba
Olympics: practical approach
Namaskar,
With the world in a state of flux politically, ecologically, and financially, it is time to rethink the presentation of big events like the Olympics etc. One of the unfortunate trends is that in some cases wealthy and powerful leaders use public money for their own gain, at the expense of the well-being of the poor and suffering people. In some cases like Rio, Athens, South Africa, Sochi (Russia) etc this problem is acutely evidenced during the planning and preparation of big world events like the Olympics and World Cup etc. Such planners feel entitled to use the money in a way that suits them best, and utterly overlook the needs of the local, impoverished populace.
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Wealth of entire universe is property of Parama Purusa
Our Proutistic outlook is entirely different. Baba guides us that Parama Purusa - not any unit being - is the owner of all mundane wealth.
Prout philosophy states, "The universe is the thought projection of Brahma [the Supreme Entity], so the ownership of the universe lies with the Supreme Entity, and not with His imagined beings. None of the movable or immovable property of this universe belongs to any particular individual; everything is the common patrimony of all, and the Father of all is Brahma." (1)
In that case, where is there scope for the misuse of public funds in pursuit of self or group interest. There is no justification for it, only materialists can indulge in this way.
Distinct lack of family feeling
The agents of capitalists feel it acceptable to spend massive amounts of public money on Olympic stadiums despite the presence of widespread poverty in that host nation.
The following analogy sheds light on this matter. Suppose a child is sick, lacks food and medical treatment, and is living in a house that has a leaky roof, yet his parents are spending all their money on films, dancing, drugs, and nightclubs, and there is no food or medicine for the child. In that case, who is going to be sympathetic to those parents? No one.
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Similarly, we have to reconsider the ethic of those who build stadiums at tremendous public expense while much of the local population suffers and lacks the minimum requirements of life: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education. Such persons do not look upon the entire population as their own. They suffer from a narrow-minded and selfish outlook, i.e. atma sukha tattva, or principle of selfish pleasure. They are involved in gratifying their own unit self, not thinking about others.
Proponents of the extravagant stadiums suffer from atma sukha tattva. Blinded by their own selfish vision, the wealthy leaders of society fail to see the pain experienced by common people who struggle for their daily needs. In turn, those wealthy leaders exploit the masses by adhering to their own selfish agenda. That is what we see happening in some of the nations hosting the Olympics and World Cup etc. If those wealthier, empowered leaders were infused with sama samaj tattva (principle of social equality), then their priority would first be meeting the basic needs of the common people. Once accomplished, one could discuss other projects like stadium construction etc.
In that case, the issue of exploitation and suffering would not arise. Then those with means would help those in need and not indulge in their own selfish gratification.
Here the point is that only those with a very narrow and selfish outlook can think that vast amounts of public monies should be used for fancy stadiums for the Olympics etc, when large numbers of people in that country are starving and living in unsanitary conditions. In contrast, if one cultivates the ideal that this whole humanity is my kith and kin, then there will be no scope to waste money on extravagant sporting venues while naked children in that country beg for food and lack drinking water.
Please bear in mind that I am fond of sports and encourage participation and healthy competition in sporting endeavours. What I am not in favour of is extravagant spending on superfluous projects when brothers and sisters are suffering from lack of essential needs: Food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education. As we all know, this goes directly against the approach of Ananda Marga.
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Only when the minimum requirements have been provided to all can we then think to invest in sports stadiums.
Why misuse of public funds
Another cause behind the misuse of public funds is over-accumulation of physical pabula. There are some in society that have so much money that they literally do not know how to spend it - they just indulge in misuse. They pay extraordinary sums of money for clothing, intoxicants, x-tra fancy airplanes, huge number of cars, and in other frivolous and degrading ways. When in their own private life they are accustomed to the misuse of money, then they casually apply that same approach to public money. Because of their extreme over-accumulation of money, they do not know how to use money in a rational manner for social good.
Recurring theme - Prout is needed
So this is a recurring theme. Time and again, those in power spend huge amounts of public money on structures that will supposedly bring them prestige and fame, and the common people lay impoverished. So many extravagant structures were constructed at the expense and well-being of the public good. Misusing public funds in this way invites crime, social unrest, and chaos. All because the state forces people into a situation of being have-nots.
When a nation indulges in constructing extravagant stadiums to impress others - while their own denizens lack the basic necessities - then that is just a superficial show. It is tinsel - nothing more. They have no substantial good to portray.
The only answer is Prout. Only the practical approach of Prout takes into consideration the welfare of the common people and encourages the rational distribution of public resources. Big money decisions based on a leader's prestige will never get support in a Proutistic system.
Our policies are for the welfare of the people and Proutistic leaders are linked with the heart-beat of the masses. The torchbearers of Prout are not living in golden castles, aloof from the worries and needs of the general populace.
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Prout Philosophy says, "The Proutistic social order follows the principle sarva jana hita'ya – that is, PROUT is for the welfare of all. Nobody is suppressed or oppressed. PROUT supports the rule of sadvipras. Only sadvipras can guarantee the all-round welfare of all groups of people because sadvipras represent the interests of all classes in society." (2)
Financial regulations needed
In both Caryacarya part 2 and "A Guide to Human Conduct", Baba has given the strict guideline that individuals and families are not to go into debt to host social functions like marriages, baby-naming ceremonies, and festivals etc. That same type of approach should be taken with nations and international bodies. Host cities and nations of the Olympics regularly go deep into debt and often never recover, as has happened numerous times. So there should be strict regulations and guidelines about this.
Various international organisations like the United Nations etc do not build new offices every time they hold a meeting. Rather they return to the same venue again and again. The same should be done with the Olympics. There can be 4 fixed sites around the globe. The Olympics can simply rotate through those 4 venues, returning to the same site every 16 years. That way each facility can be of a premium standard and well maintained. An international board will manage the sites and distribute profits to all nations. During "off years" when the Olympics is not being held at a particular site then that location can be used for the Asia games or other competitions. This will bring regular use and income to each site. It will not be like the way things are now where an entire Olympic sporting complex is built for the Olympics, only to sit unused and fall into disrepair as soon as the games are over.
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Prout policy: support common people
While we are in this transition phase of the height of the vaeshyan era, particular attention must be paid to those impoverished people. That is our Prout policy
In those lands where the World Cup and Olympics are held, and in those lands where huge airports are built and fancy rails are put in place for the wealthy, there are millions and millions of people living below the poverty level. They are overlooked by their governments and ignored by the educated elite. This must be corrected - the course must be changed. The way to proceed starts with the health, safety and welfare of the downtrodden masses. Failing that we will continue to see so many fall prey to starvation, neglect, and premature death. And a proper society will never be built. Along these lines our Proutistic teachings put forth this following warning.
Prout philosophy states, "It is desirable that the management of industrial, agricultural, trade and commercial enterprises not be in the hands of the central government or the world government (after the establishment of the world government). If it is, the common people will not get the direct or even the indirect opportunity to participate in the management of these enterprises. In such cases capitalists, opportunists or self-seeking politicians can easily take control of them and misappropriate public wealth." (3)
The solution is Prout
Baba has blessed us with all the resources and the right philosophy (i.e. Prout) to ease the pains of humanity. We are to act fast and protest the wrongs being carried out at present wherein huge monies are misused and wasted by the state for lavish events like the Olympics etc, while the people of that land lack even the most basic necessities to survive. There is growing awareness about this tragic issue - good people everywhere want to help - we should keep the flame alive and bring welfare to the people.
Conclusion
Here in review: The point is that only those with a very narrow and selfish outlook can think that vast amounts of public monies should be used for fancy stadiums for the Olympics etc, when large numbers of people in that country are starving and living in unsanitary conditions. In contrast, if one cultivates the ideal that this whole humanity is my kith and kin, then there will be no scope to waste money on extravagant sporting venues while naked children in that country beg for food and lack drinking water.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
in Him,
Lokesh
As mentioned above, I am not against games and sports, only my concern is the commercialisation thereof. In the US, obesity is rampant, and games and sports are highly commercialised. The unfortunate result is that people think they should watch, not play. Yet real use of games and sports is for keeping a population healthy, active, and vibrant, but in the US and other nations that tenant has sadly been lost.
~ In-depth study ~
Prout: People are prevented from manifesting themselves
Prout philosophy states, "To sadvipras [spiritual revolutionaries] the value of human life surpasses all other values. So states and scriptures, societies and religions, acquire significance only insofar as they develop humanity to the maximum through learning, culture, physical health and economic plenty. It is for the sake of developing humanity that civilization has so many institutions of different kinds, that states take their various forms, that theories proliferate, and that the scriptures abound in ordinances and regulations. What in the world does the state stand for, what is the use of all these regulations, and what are the marvels of civilization for, if people are prevented from manifesting themselves, if they do not get the opportunity to build good physiques, to invigorate their intelligence with knowledge, or to broaden their hearts with love and compassion? If, instead of tending to lead human beings to the goal of life, the state stands in the way, it cannot command loyalty, because humanity is superior to the state. According to Rabindranath Tagore, “Justice and law at the cost of humanity is like a stone instead of bread. Maybe that stone is rare and valuable, but it cannot remove hunger.”" (4)
"Human value takes precedence over social value"
Prout philosophy guides us, "It is customary to give preference to social value over human value. Sadvipras want to strike at the root of this custom. For them, human value takes precedence over social value. Human beings form the society, and hence human value must lay the foundation for the social value. In other words, those who show respect to human value will be entitled to social value. It was mentioned earlier that human value means nothing but to treat the joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations of human beings sympathetically, and see them merged in Cosmic Consciousness and established in divine majesty. And if one is to elevate oneself to that sublime height, he or she will have to be supplied with an environment suitable to his or her physical, mental and spiritual existence. It is the birthright of everyone to make headway in their trifarious existence. It is the duty of society to accord recognition to this human right. Society has failed to do its duty, and that is why life is full of sorrow and suffering." (5)
Withering away in their embryonic stage
Prout philosophy states, "No one can say for certain that no great person might have emerged from among those wayward urchins whom we are wont to slight and hate. Women who have turned to prostitution for the sake of their physical existence might have grown into noble personalities if their agony had been appreciated sympathetically, and if they had been rehabilitated by society. But since society has nothing to do with human value, a good number of great personalities are withering away in their embryonic stage. The sadvipras will undertake to revive this neglected section of humanity. To them no sinner is contemptible, no one is a rogue. People turn into satans or sinners when, for want of proper guidance, they are goaded by depraving propensities. The human mind goaded by depraving propensities is satan. If their propensities are sublimated, they will no longer be satans; they will be transformed into gods. Every course of action of society ought to be judged with an eye to the dictum “Human beings are divine children.”" (6)
We should not just go ahead & leave them in the lurch
"The significance of society lies in moving together. If in the course of the journey anybody lags behind, if in the darkness of night a gust of wind blows out anyone's lamp, we should not just go ahead and leave them in the lurch. We should extend a hand to help them up, and rekindle their lamps with the flames of our lamps..."
"...Stop we must, otherwise the spirit of society is in jeopardy."
"A rśi [sage] has said: Samamantreńa jáyate iti samájah [“Society is the collective movement of a group of individuals who have decided to move together towards a common goal”]. That is, whether people are pápii [sinners], thieves, criminals, or characterless individuals, they are so only superficially; internally they are filled with the potential for purity. The principal object of the sadvipras is to explore and bring this potentiality into play. They will accord human value to everyone without exception. Those who have done hateful crimes must be punished, but sadvipras will never hate them, or put an end to them by depriving them of food, because sadvipras are humanists. The pandits puffed up with vain glory could turn their attention to their books instead of attending on the ailing non-Hindu Haridas, but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found it impossible to remain indifferent to him. He took Haridas in his arms and nursed him carefully, and thus showed respect to human value." (7)
More Proutistic guidelines
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "That is, these days, a person who possesses wealth is respected and revered whereas a person without money is a person honoured by none. The poor, whoever they may be, have to woo the rich just for the sake of earning their livelihood. Human values have become meaningless, for human beings have become the means for the rich to earn money. The rich, having purchased the human mind with their money, are busy playing a game of chess with the other members of society. Bereft of everything, people toil round the clock to earn a mere pittance. Today the motto of people is, “I have to send some food particles into the apathetic stomach after somehow taking a dip in the muddy water amidst hyacinths.”" (8)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Those who are at the helm of society, constantly suspicious of others, forever count their losses and profits. They have no desire to think about the plight of humanity. Rather, to gratify themselves they are ready to chew the human bone, and suck human blood. For the self-centred there is no place for feelings of mercy, sympathy or camaraderie. The railway stations and market places are full of half-clad beggars and lepers desperately stretching out their begging bowls, earning their livelihood in the only way they know. They are fortunate if anyone contemptuously flings them a copper coin. The old blind beggars sitting all day long on the steps of a bridge automatically lift their bowls whenever anyone walks past. But their hungry pleas fall on deaf ears. On the other side of the social coin, sumptuous dishes are being prepared to entertain the rich dignitaries. These contrasts ridicule the present human society." (9)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Today, those who occupy high posts are also respected. Dignity is attached to post or rank. A station master will take great pains to prepare the railway minister's visit, but will never trouble himself with the inconveniences faced by the ordinary passengers. Luxurious houses are built for high-ranking officers while the poor live in shanty towns, barely protected from the elements. I don't say that large houses should never be built, but that everyone should be provided the minimum requirements. “I admit that both rice and tasty dishes are necessary for people, but I shall not demand a sumptuous dish from the goddess of food until I see that India has been overflooded with an abundance of rice.”" (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "These days educated people are so proud of their erudition that they detest illiterate people and avoid the company of commoners. Thus they shun village life and live in towns. When the question of returning to the village crops up, they say, “What on earth would we do in a village? There's not a single person to talk to. Only idiots live there.” This explains why almost all attention is focused on the urban areas to the detriment of the villages. While soliciting votes, political leaders pay a short visit to the villages with a mouthful of attractive promises. They promptly inform the ignorant populace about their great achievements in constructing huge dams; though perhaps village cultivation is becoming impossible due to want of irrigation. They give detailed descriptions about their plans to build bridges and bungalows and install television sets, though perhaps in that village people die for want of medicine, or beg for food in poverty-stricken desperation. And yet the common villagers constitute the backbone of society. Even in the towns not everyone gets equal opportunities. The pavements have become the home for so many people. Rabindranath says, “There are always a number of uncelebrated people in the human civilization. They are the majority, and they are the medium, but they have no time to become human beings. They are raised on the leftovers of the national wealth. They are poorly dressed and receive little education, yet they serve the rest of society. They give maximum labour but are rewarded with ignominy – they die of starvation or are tortured to death by those they serve. They are deprived of all life's amenities. They are the candlestick of civilization: they stand erect with the candle resting on their head. Everyone gets light from it, while they suffer the discomfort of the wax trickling down their sides. In this way, the dishonest of humanity or the neglect of human values has become a social malady.”" (11)
References
1. Problems of the Day, Point #1
2. Prout in A Nutshell - 15, Elevating Backward Classes
3. Problems of the Day, Point #11
4. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
5. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
6. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
7. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
8. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
9. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
10. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
11. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Those divine solutions
PS Intro: This below song describes the scene of that era, i.e. before the divine advent of Parama Purusa. In that time, the people were completely distraught and feeling helpless; they were pained by witnessing all the suffering of their brothers and sisters. Those days the whole humanity was being exploited, tortured, and choked. In response, various great bhaktas tried to solve the situation, but they could not get victory over those wicked, demonic forces. That is why they began desperately calling for that Divine Entity - Parama Purusa - to come immediately and rescue them from those cruel rulers and restore harmony and peace throughout the society.
So this song is the expression of the heart of those bhaktas from that era when they were desperately crying for His divine help. Upon hearing their call, by His sweet will, Parama Purusa has taken advent as the Mahasambhuti; He has created a tremendous psycho-spiritual vibration whereby all the problems were solved - completely. In the very near future, in the coming hours and days, we will see those divine solutions manifest in the physical sphere.
"Mánavatá áj dhuláy lut́áy, tumi keno dúre rayecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2815)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, the whole humanity is suffering and wallowing in the dust. The exploiters have grabbed the upper hand and the suffering people are at their mercy. Those selfish forces have created a black pact and are imposing their will on the innocent. Parama Purusa, why are You remaining far. All the sweet softness has been lost and turned into an abrasive roughness. Love and compassion have been twisted into animosity and cruelty. The sweet spiritual feeling has completely dried up. O' Lord, are You not seeing this? Why are You remaining so far away.
In this present era, the fragrant flower pollen has become inert and lost its sweet aroma; it has now become lifeless. The sandalwood is devoid of its aromatic fragrance and become crude and static, like a demon's body. Morality and bhakti have been suppressed by those sinful forces. How have You allowed poison to creep into each corner of the heart and the flower gardens? For what reason have You allowed noxious elements to float everywhere. Is that Your plan to let society become overrun by the darkness of those poisonous tamasika forces. Baba, to which end have You enabled this to happen.
Parama Purusa, the great virtue of generations and generations of sadhana has become lost. Humanity's benevolent brilliance and compassionate endeavours - all those good and auspicious thoughts - have been crushed and are long gone. All the dharmic teachings of those great rishis and yogis have faded away. Evil-minded wrongdoers have polluted the air, water, and moonlight. The sweetness and purity in this world has gotten crushed by the demonic elements. Negative forces have taken over; demons in human form are ruling - doing their hellish dance of war and destruction. How come You allowed the devils to do their dance?
Baba, Parama Purusa, why are You still remaining far…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Limitations of human perception
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “In this visible world you receive tanmátras in accordance with your strength and ability. When the tanmátric vibration is more powerful than your strength or capacity, you are unable to receive it. Similarly, when the vibrational momentum is more slow and slack than your power of perception, you cannot receive it either. If people whisper in a soft voice, you cannot hear them – there you become deaf. Then again, if there is a very loud noise somewhere nearby, you cannot hear that either, for your hearing has been stunned – here too you are deaf. Your system may easily endure petty mental afflictions and in that case you do not cry before people. Then when you are filled with extreme grief you become so dazed and bewildered that in this case, too, you do not cry before people. You have seen a child suddenly stops crying in the midst of intense suffering. We call it “choked in crying”, for the child is unable to endure the violent sorrowful vibrations. You can tolerate a small pain with a smiling face and people cannot detect your hurt. An intense pain stuns you into unconsciousness and then, too, people are not aware of it. You are able to utter pathetic cries of “Ah” and “Oh” only in the intervening state to embellish your plight." (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us how the range of human perception is very limited. If a vibration is very subtle then we cannot detect it, such as a very quiet noise. And if the vibration is very crude and powerful, such as a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius, then we cannot tolerate it and we will die. In the true sense, the scope of the vibrations which human beings can manage is of a very narrow scope.
There are so many things going on around us; there are all kinds of vibrations that we are completely unaware of. Some things we can detect with scientific instruments but there are countless subtle things going on around that we have no clue about. The irony is that even when sitting in an isolated room a person thinks that, “Nothing is here other than me.” When in truth, so many phenomena are going on all around, wherever you are. Those are extremely subtle vibrations which you can neither see nor hear. That is why it is said that human capacity is very negligible.
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration Form & Colour
== Section 3: Links ==
