Baba
Fake love
Namaskar,
Are eco-groups and animal rights groups neo-humanistic? Some raise the
banner, “Aren’t all those animal rights groups and eco-groups in the
west concerned about animal welfare.” The first reply is that many of
those conservation groups subscribe to eating meat etc.
Secondly, those eco-oriented animals rights organisations have their limited agendas:
(a) so-called restoring ecological balance for hunting for fun;
(b) fighting for their own selfishness on this earth so they can continue hunting.
They got involved in environmental problems to support a meat-based diet. Those activists are inherently selfish and indulgent.
Some activists may be internally sincere in their desire to help
animals, but in general they do not feel that those animals are
expressions of Parama Purusa and that we are to serve Him by helping
those animals. So the overall perspective of such advocacy organisations
is not one of true seva and neo-humanism.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
History: animals have their special status
In the west, the rampant mistreatment of animals is fueled by the
selfish, dogmatic outlook of the Semitic religions which states,
"Animals are made for us." Because of this defective outlook, factory
farming, hunting for sport, the meat- based diet, and so many other
infringements on animals’ rights are pervasive throughout the western
hemisphere.
The situation with regards to the treatment of animals in India is
comparatively better. No doubt there are some pitfalls, but at the same
time it has to be recognised that those early rishis of 15,000 years ago
preached the spiritual ideal that all are the expressions of Parama
Purusa. And this pure premise filtered down to the Indian masses
generation after generation.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The thoughts and ideals of India are
quite different from the other countries in the East. Since ancient
times, India has been adhering to her distinct pra'n'a dharma. Regarding
life and the world, the Indian people are certainly spiritually
inclined. They look upon each and every thought and deed as part of
their spiritual practice." (1)
And it is with this prana dharma firmly in mind that so many proper
practices have been implemented in life such as a purely sattvika diet
as well as a long-standing belief that animals have a right to live on
this earth. Those animals have their God-given status and inherent
value. And when things went overboard and the Aryans came from outside
and started doing huge animals sacrifices and turning the rivers into
pools of blood, then great souls like Buddha and Mahaviira Jain echoed
the words of those rishis of old and came forward and opposed those
cruel sacrifices. Though now in this modern era, the number of
meat-eaters in India has dramatically increased, as the population has
fallen away from the teachings of those ancient rishis. Verily, there
has been an ongoing, steady degradation in India over the past few
hundred years with the influx of the Semitic religions and the rise of
materialism.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Pashupati: Lord Shiva and God of the animals
Ananda Marga philosophy adheres to the standard of neo-humanism. Using
that as a guideline, it has to be recognised that the moral and ethical
treatment of animals in India is higher than in those Semitic oriented
countries like the US that are dominated by the selfish outlook that
"animals are made for us - for human enjoyment."
This idea was never present in the Indian mentality. And one proof of
this is that one of the names of Lord Shiva is 'Pashupati' - i.e. Shiva
is not just the God of humans but of animals also. Certainly Shiva
taught sadhana to animalistic humans, but that is not the only reason
why He is called Pashupati. Mahasambhuti Shiva cared very sweetly for
animals and preached this ideal as well.
Since long in India it has been known that through samskara theory
humans evolved out of animal life. This also helps one recognise the
value of animal life. This is commonly understood within the Indian
philosophical tradition. Here the point is not to glorify the Indian
outlook. It has its defects and has been certainly by infiltrated by the
Aryans, Muslims, Britishers, and Christians etc. But at the same time
we should recognise that those early Himalayan rishis who preached
Samgacchadhvam, the yogic ideal, and other great teachings were also
well aware that humans are to watch for the welfare of animals. And this
message filtered down to the masses.
And still today, the common people in India will readily say, "What
right do I have to hurt those animals, when those animals are the
expression of God'. How far they follow this cent-per-cent in their life
may vary - but this idea is commonly embraced. That is a significant
step higher than the typical materialistic outlook: "Animals are made
for my enjoyment."
So comparatively speaking, India's treatment and regard for animals is
higher than that of the west, and that is all due to the respective
religious outlooks of those lands. The Semitic religions preach that
animals have no soul and are here for human consumption, while the
spiritual outlook of the Indian subcontinent is that every being has its
God-given place and should thus be respected. This is the long history
and divergent views of western and eastern religion etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
But in this ever-changing world, it is quite apparent that now the
unfortunate turn of events is going on where India has begun rushing
headlong after materialism. Sadly, they are slipping into the
capitalistic trap whereby animals are nothing but a means to an end. On
the plus side, a greater number of westerners are trying to leave
materialism and are harbouring a strong desire to fashion their life
after age-old eastern truths. This switchover is going on. However, the
tables have not fully turned yet. So comparatively speaking India's view
towards animals more closely resembles the gold-bar standard of Ananda
Marga and neo-humanism.
It is ironic that westerners blame those brothers and sisters in the
east and in so-called developing nations, when the mentality entrenched
within the Semitic religions is the real cause behind animal cruelty. By
Baba's grace we will personify His teachings and spread the message of
animal welfare to all - thereby eliminating, once and for all, the
degrading Semitic belief that "Animals are made for us - for human
selfish enjoyment".
Namaskar,
In Him,
Jayanta
(James Davidson)
The religions have a big effect on the mentality of the people. And in
the traditional Indian outlook, various animals like the monkey are
highly regarded as being so-called deities or mounts to the attainment
of Brahmahood. And the obvious plus point of such religious beliefs is
that they have helped infuse a certain respect towards the animal
kingdom among the followers of that faith. Because the people truly
believed that animals are not just lowly creatures for human
consumption, but rather expressions of divinity etc. Whereas in the
Semitic faiths, this type of regard for animals does not exist.
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga is far above
In Ananda Marga, our vision and perspective towards animals is pure and
unblemished. Baba has given all the ideal teachings and has pointed out
the prevailing dogmas.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Hindus worship cows as something holy,
apparently because they give us milk. But if cows are revered as mothers
for giving us milk, shouldn't buffaloes be given a similar status?
Actually, buffaloes give more milk than cows. Unfortunately, the blind
religious followers refuse to listen to logic as their religious
sentiment for cows has taken root deep in their minds. People are fed
these ideas since childhood, so later on it becomes impossible for them
to discard them." (2)
So our ideal is neither western, nor eastern - neither American, nor
Indian. Our ideal is the neo-humanistic vision which Baba has given.
That alone can save the fate of animals on this earth. With Baba's grand
teaching of neo-humanism, then surely the future of animals is bright
and one day animal cruelty will be fully eradicated.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "All molecules, atoms, electrons,
protons, positrons and neutrons are the veritable expressions of the
same Supreme Consciousness. Those who remember this reality, who keep
this realization ever alive in their hearts, are said to have attained
perfection in life. They are the real devotees, the real bhaktas. When
the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything, animate
and inanimate, in this universe - I have designated this as Neohumanism.
This Neohumanism will elevate humanism to universalism, the cult of
love for all created beings of this universe." (3)
So in Baba's divine teachings of neo-humanism, we are to immerse our
mind in His cosmic flow and realise the interconnectedness of all - that
all are but expressions of Him. Fueled by the fire of this
neo-humanistic ideal, then naturally one will act as a benevolent
guardian - serving one and all and watching for everyone's welfare, be
they human, animal, plant, brick, or stone.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
How cruel human beings are
Here Baba points out the short-sightedness of the Semitic religions etc.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (4)
Neo-humanism 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."
(5)
People cry out “You exist, O Lord, I also exist!”
The following is from Baba's book, "Namah Shivaya Shantaya".
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In the first stage of human life, when
people notice the colourful processions of various tanmรกtras such as
form, taste, smell, colour and touch, they immediately become attracted
towards them. The entire universe appears to be a grand caravan of many
colours; it seizes their senses and their minds rush after it, taking it
to be the goal of life. In the first stage, this enchanting material
panorama propels people from their inner world to external life. If at
that stage, someone tells them to move towards the internal world, they
become irritated and annoyed. They think, “Oh, I'm quite fine here!”
Blending their colours with the colours of all, strolling on soft
carpets of green grass, they think, “All these things are meant for me!”
This material-oriented existence is the first stage of human life. At
this stage, one wants to express only one thing with the whole of one's
being, and that is, “I exist, only I exist.” The material world is the
subtle blend of hard and soft.” (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, Trials and tribulations compel people to
ponder deeply; sorrows inspire them to analyse the law of cause and
effect. Their wounded hearts want to be soothed with a healing balm from
an entity greater than themselves. They realize then that there is an
Entity greater than their little selves. Whatever might be their
relation with that Entity, and whether that Entity is within their reach
or not, they cherish the hope of gaining something from Him: they cry
out, Trรกhi mรกm pรกhi mรกm [“Save me, protect me”]!” (7)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Then they change their mental tune and
say, “I exist, You also exist.” When this relationship of hope and
fulfilment fails to remove their internal dissatisfactions, when the
greenness of the external world fails to moisten the desert of their
minds, when the seeds of their desires do not sprout, then they realize
that they will have to go still deeper inside – the key to the solution
lies deeper within. They are still within locked doors and windows; in
search of the key, they move inwards, but they are unable to find it.
They do not feel that they are even near a guide – far less in close
association. Concentrating all their mental anguish, they begin to shed
tears in their minds, and beating their heads, say to the unknown Lord
of their life. Parama Puruลa is the Supreme Cognitive Faculty; nothing
is outside Him. He too feels the inner agony of despairing people in the
core of His heart, and shows them the soothing path of enlightenment.
Then those despairing people cry out in the exuberance of their joy,
“You exist, O Lord, I also exist!” (8)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “They continue to move into the inner
world. The charming allurements of the external world no longer keep
their minds in thrall. The dazzling splendour of form and colour, their
glittering attraction, no longer evokes any response in the innermost
recesses of their minds. The radiance of the colourful world and the
effulgence of their inner life become one. The indriyas externalization
and internalization of tanmรกtras from the external world then appears to
be a play of Mรกyรก. The external world merges into the internal world,
and ultimately there remains only one Entity – “You exist, only You
exist.” (9)
Advocacy groups are not God-centered
And for those who few who may be internally sincere in their desire to
help animals, in general they do not feel that those animals are
expressions of Parama Purusa and that we are to serve Him by helping
those animals. This is not their outlook. So the overall perspective of
such advocacy organisations is not one of true seva and neo-humanism.
Although such groups may seemingly be doing good work - they are not
based in neo-humanism. Because they don’t believe that this whole cosmos
is the expression of Parama Purusa and that we have come to this world
to serve others - including plants and animals - and watch for their
welfare. The fact is: No eco or animal rights group has this
God-centered, neo-humanistic ideal in mind. Rather they are motivated by
a selfish outlook.
For this reason, none of these eco or animal rights groups are on par
with Ananda Marga. And in 99% of the cases they have their own
particular side agenda in mind. Yet they are all our brothers and
sisters and it is our bounden duty to guide them as best we can. And to
guide them properly, neither should we be in awe of their work nor
should we despise them as people. Rather ours should be a balanced
approach where we recognise their shortcomings so that we may best help
them to advance.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Prรกลa Dharma
2. A Few Problems Solved - 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 2
3. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-humanism, Disc: 1
4. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt A
5. Neo-humanism in a Nutshell - 2, How Cruel Human Beings Are! – Excerpt B
6. Namah Shivรกya Shรกntรกya, Disc: 11
7. Namah Shivรกya Shรกntรกya, Disc: 11
8. Namah Shivรกya Shรกntรกya, Disc: 11
9. Namah Shivรกya Shรกntรกya, Disc: 11
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Key points for a long life
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Spiritual practice makes the mind calm and
quiet, and maintains the nerves in a state of equipoise; and thus
spiritual practice increases longevity. Those Vaishnavites who are
vegetarians, who regularly sing spiritual songs, do meditation, perform
virtuous deeds and think pure thoughts, live longer than ninety years."
(1)
Note: By following the spiritual cult of Ananda Marga and abiding by
general health rules every sadhaka is ensured a long and healthy life.
That is Baba's guarantee.
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, You Must Live Glorious Lives
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Limited scope of human perception
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “In this visible world you receive
tanmรกtras in accordance with your strength and ability. When the
tanmรกtric 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 4: Prabhat Samgiita ==
เคคुเคฎเคฒोเค เคเคธ เค्เคทเคฃเคญंเคुเคฐ เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคे เคตिเคญिเคจ्เคจ เคฎाเคฏा เคाเคฒों เคฎें เค्เคฏों เคเคฒเคे เคนो?
เคช्เคฐเคญाเคค เคธंเคीเคค 0365 เค
เคฐूเคช เคฆेเคตเคคा เคฐूเคชเคฎเคฐ เคฆे เคฒे, เคाเคฐ เคฒाเคि เคคुเคฎि เคคिเคฅि เคोเคจो...
เคญाเคตाเคฐ्เคฅ
เคจिเคฐ्เคुเคฃ เคชเคฐเคฎ เคธเคค्เคคा, เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท เคจिเคฐाเคाเคฐ เคนोเคคे เคนुเค เคญी เคธเคญी เคตเคจเคธ्เคชเคคिเคฏों เคเคฐ เคช्เคฐाเคฃिเคฏों เคाเคिเคฏों เคเคฐ เคชเคฐ्เคตเคคों , เคธเคฎुเคฆ्เคฐों เคเคฐ เคฎเคฐुเคธ्เคฅเคฒों เคे เคเคाเคฐ เคฎें, เค
เคค्เคฏเคงिเค เคเคเคฐ्เคทเค เคฐूเคช เคฎें เคเคฏे เคนैं। เคนे เคญเค्เคคो! เคिเคธ เคถुเคญ เคฎुเคนूเคฐ्เคค เคे เคฒिเค เคคुเคฎเคฒोเค เคฆिเคจ เคिเคจ เคฐเคนे เคฅे, เคเคฐ เคเคถा เคเคฐ เคฐเคนे เคฅे เคि เคตे เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท เคเคँเคे, เคเคฐ เคเคธ เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคชเคฐ เคเคจเคจ्เคฆाเคถीเคท เคी เคตเคฐ्เคทा เคเคฐेเคा, เคตเคนी เคฆिเคต्เคฏ เคจिเคฐाเคाเคฐ เค
เคธ्เคคिเคค्เคต เคฐूเคชเคตाเคจ เคนोเคเคฐ เคเคฏा เคนै। เคนे เคญเค्เคคो ! เคคुเคฎเคฒोเค เคเคธ เค्เคทเคฃเคญंเคुเคฐ เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคे เคตिเคญिเคจ्เคจ เคฎाเคฏा เคाเคฒों เคฎें เค्เคฏों เคเคฒเคे เคนो? เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคे เคเคจ เคाเคฐ्เคฏों เคฎें เคฎเคธ्เคค เคนो เคो เคธ्เคฅाเคฏी เคจเคนीं เคนैं? เคเคธ เคช्เคฐเคाเคฐ เคคुเคฎ เคฒोเค เค
เคชเคจा เคธเคฎเคฏ เค्เคฏों เคจเคท्เค เคเคฐ เคฐเคนे เคนो?
เคนे เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท! เคเคฌ เคคुเคฎ्เคนाเคฐी เคฎเคนाเคจเคคा เคเคฐ เคृเคชा เคธे เคเคธ เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคा เคธเคฌ เคुเค เคนी เคจिเคฐ्เคुเคฃ เคฌ्เคฐเคน्เคฎ เคฎें เคฎिเคฒ เคाเคคा เคนै, । เค्เคฐเคฎเคถः เคธเคญी เคเคธी เคจिเคฐाเคाเคฐ เคฎें เคฒीเคจ เคนो เคाเคคे เคนैं, เคคเคฌ เคนे เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท! เคिเคธเคฒिเคฏे เคคुเคฎ เคเคธ เคฐंเคों, เคฐूเคชों เคी เคฆुเคจिเคฏा เคो เคฐเคเคจे เคी เคฒीเคฒा เคฎें เคฎเคธ्เคค เคนो? เคเคฌเคि เคเคธเคा เคोเค เคธ्เคฅाเคฏी เคฒाเคญ เคนी เคจเคนीं เคนै ?
เคนे เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท เคฌाเคฌा! เคคुเคฎ्เคนाเคฐी เคृเคชा เคธे เคฎैं เคाเคจเคคा เคนॅूं เคि เคฏเคน เคธृเคท्เคि เคฎिเคฅ्เคฏा เคจเคนीं เคนै เคเคฐ เคฏเคน เคธเคค्เคฏ เคญी เคจเคนीं เคนै, เคฏเคน เคธाเคชेเค्เคทिเค เคธเคค्เคฏ เคนै । เคฏเคน เคธृเคท्เคि, เคคुเคฎ्เคนाเคฐी เคฎाเคจเคธिเค เคเคฒ्เคชเคจा เคนै, เคो เคिเคฐ เคธ्เคฅाเคฏी เคจเคนीं เคนै। เคนे เคช्เคฐเคญु! เคฎैं เคाเคจเคคा เคนॅूं เคि เคฏเคนाॅं เคी เคนเคฐ เคीเค เคเค เคเคฒเคฎाเคจ เคฎेเคฒा เคी เคคเคฐเคน เคนै, เคเค เคเคคिเคถीเคฒ เคिเคค्เคฐाเคตเคฒी เคนै । เคนे เคชเคฐเคฎ เคชुเคฐुเคท, เคซिเคฐ เคญी เคคुเคฎ เคीเคตों เคे เคฎเคจ เคฎें, เคธृเคท्เค เคตเคธ्เคคुเคं เคे เคช्เคฐเคคि, เคเคธा เค
ंเคงा เคเคเคฐ्เคทเคฃ เค्เคฏों เคฆे เคฆेเคคे เคนो, เคिเคธเคธे เคตे เคธเคค्เคฏ เคญूเคฒ เคाเคคे เคนैं, เคि เคตे เคเคธ เคธंเคธाเคฐ เคฎें, เคฏเคนाॅं เคธเคฆा เคे เคฒिเค เคจเคนीं เคเคฏे เคนैं, เคตे เคธाเคงเคจा เคเคฐเคจे เคे เคฒिเคฏे เคเคฏे เคนैं । เคเคฐ เคเค เคฆिเคจ เคเคธ เคฆुเคจिเคฏा เคो เคोเคก़เคเคฐ เคाเคจा เคนी เคชเคกेเคा? เคฌाเคी เคธเคฌ เคीเคें เคคो เคธाเคงเคจा เคธเคนाเคฏเค เคนैं, เคชเคฐ เคฒोเค, เคฎोเคน เคฎें เคซंเคธเคเคฐ เคถเค्เคคि, เคงเคจ , เคชเคฆ, เคเคฆि เคो เคชाเคเคฐ, เค
เคชเคจे เค
เคธเคฒी เคฒเค्เคท्เคฏ ‘‘เคธाเคงเคจा เคเคฐเคจा‘‘ เคญूเคฒ เคाเคคे เคนै, เคชเคฐเคฎเคชुเคฐुเคท เคी เคเคฐ เคเค เคญी เคเคฆเคฎ เคเคे เคจเคนीं เคฌเคข़ा เคชाเคคे। เคตे เค
เคชเคจा เคธเคฎเคฏ เคจเคท्เค เคเคฐ (เคเค เคฆिเคจ) เคฏเคนाॅं เคธे เคเคฒे เคाเคคे เคนैं।
เคนे เคช्เคฐเคญु! เคฎेเคฐे เคเคชเคฐ เคृเคชा เคฌเคจाเคฏे เคฐเคเคจा เคคाเคि เคฎैं เคเคธ เคฆिเคต्เคฏ เคธเคค्เคฏ เคो เคเคญी เคจ เคญूเคฒूँ । (1)
Reference
1. Trans: Dr. T.R.S.
== Section 5: Important Teaching ==
Why sleep gives happiness
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Although bodily pleasures are perceived by the mind in the wakeful state, the objects of such pleasures always come from without, with the result that the privations of the external world will always stand in the way of real happiness, as the external world cannot always supply objects in accordance with the desires and wishes of the mind. Due to this the mind has to run up and down in search of them. It becomes very agitated in the process and peace becomes and impossibility. The influence of the external world is absent during the dreamful state, accordingly the amount of pleasure is due to want of efferent desires in the mind or increased organs (for that matter here the desire is not afferent either). In the state of sleep, as the internal activities of the mind are substantially less, the amount of happiness (Static happiness) is proportionately increased." (1)
Reference
1. The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4
== Section 6:
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