== IMPROVING SADHANA: PART 3 ==
Namaskar,
It is commonly known that Baba has given the Sixteen Points for the health,
hygiene, and welfare of the entire society. And by following His natural
teachings of Sixteen Points, sadhakas will live longer lives and the entire
humanity will flourish. All this is well understood and wholeheartedly
accepted by each and every Ananda Margii.
In that spirit of forward movement and sharing here following is a short,
exploratory look into the second component of our Sixteen Points. Hopefully
others will also contribute their reflections and thoughts on this
important topic.
WHERE CIRCUMCISION CAME FROM AND HOW IT GO SPREAD AROUND
First off, as a reminder, we should keep in mind that the practice of
circumcision is the invention of the Semitic religion(s). And that their
common followers became habituated to it. This is the basic history. And
Baba Himself says like that.
Yet in revolutionary fashion Baba also unveils how this practice of
circumcision got spread around and absorbed from one religion to the next.
Baba says, "Long ago the Jews started practising circumcision. When Moses
converted some of his contemporaries to Judaism, and later when Mohammed
converted some local people to Islam, neither prophet dared to instruct
their new followers to discard the old customs they followed, consequently
the old customs continued after their conversion." (PNS-21)
Hence in the above quote Baba is revealing the fact how some prophets like
Mohammed etc just accepted this unnatural practice of circumcision in order
to establish their own teachings amongst the people. Otherwise they could
not have converted them.
Altogether then, this is one display of how a particular dogma gets
transferred from one religious community to the next. It is just like how
Shankaracarya incorporated numerous dogmatic Buddhist teachings into
Hinduism. (Reference: 'Religious Dogmas', PNS-16)
And not only that, here below Baba furthermore exposes the way in which
practices like circumcision become the common way in certain communities.
Baba says, "Human beings readily accept traditions without seeking the
reasons behind them. Since ancient days the semites have been observing the
practice of circumcision. Moses and Mohammed accepted this system which
today has become tradition." (HS-1)
By all this we can begin to think and decide what way Baba is guiding us to
move ahead. And we should discuss what should be our approach.
Here are some further things for consideration.
THE NATURAL WAY OF CREATION
As sadhakas we should always remember that Parama Purusa Himself has
designed the human body and this entire creation in a particular way.
Accordingly, all His designs have a special benefit and satisfy an
important need. Then why should we disturb His creative process by
unnecessarily cutting part of the human body at the time birth-- as is done
with the practice of circumcision. Rather cutting goes counter to the
natural process. Just like how Baba says that cutting the body as a means
of birth control is extremely dangerous as it goes against natural law.
OUR APPROACH IN AM
Thus we should consider whether at the time of birth if there is a need to
circumcise male offspring. Or is doing so unnatural. And not just then but
right up until adolescence the foreskin can remain attached as is and there
will not be any harm. The medical evidence suggests this very idea. So the
natural benefit is there that it will protect the glands and the entire
region from infection, plus other advantages.
And then when one reaches adolescence, then for reasons of hygiene and to
protect against germs one can keep the foreskin pulled back. So we should
think and consider what is Baba's explicit direction in Sixteen points.
One distinct approach is:
(1) To allow the foreskin to remain as is from birth up until one reaches
puberty;
(2) At the start of adolescence the foreskin should be kept away-pulled back.
UNUSUAL CASES
Only in a few, rare cases whereby upon reaching adolescence the foreskin
will not pull back properly-- and it will only come up partially-- then in
that uncommon instance a small incision can be made to loosen the foreskin
and allow it to pick up.
So really speaking then only a small cut need be made; there is no need to
remove or cut away the entire section. Just a small incision is made, but
in common parlance some might say that a circumcision was done. But just
for lack of a more precise term they speak like that. But again all this
happens only in those rare occasions-- less than 0.01% of the time.
MOST OF THE WORLD FOLLOWS THE NATURAL WAY
And indeed all around the globe countless civilisations and communities
follow this natural process of keeping the foreskin. From India to Africa
to the South Pacific and around the globe it is like that. Rather only
those limited subsections of society which got affected by the dogmatic
ways of the Semitic religions adopted this practice of performing
circumcisions at the time of birth.
Namaskar,
Dharma
Note 1: SOCIETAL TRENDS
Now more and more in the general society people from all walks of life are
recognising the inherent value and beauty of keeping the body in its
natural state upon birth-- and turning away from the old-fashioned, Semitic
practice of circumcision. And in their search for a natural way various
communities have begun making recommendations which are remarkably similar
to the teachings which Baba has given on this point. Hence, in this time of
grand transformation, even this point is not going overlooked. So we should
all keep our - sharp eyes, think deeply on Baba's guidelines, and not lag
behind. Rather, by Baba's grace, let us always remain a step ahead so that
we may guide and help the common masses in their search for a new way of
living.
Note 2: UNNATURAL CUTTING OF THE BODY YIELDS A NEGATIVE RESULT
Baba says, "Using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and
women or destroy their reproductive powers forever cannot be supported,
because at any moment this may result in a violent mental reaction in
them." (AFPS)
Similarly cutting the body unnecessarily in order to pursue the dogmatic
Semitic practice of circumcision is not supported by natural law.
Note 3: SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
A couple persons may be thinking that this second point is an open and shut
case-- i.e. that there is nothing to discuss or ponder. Because either at
the time of birth males are circumcised, or, if not, one will have to pull
back the foreskin later on. As if both the options are equally fine and
good. This might easily be some people's perspective.
Or even some may be working under the assumption that circumcision is the
favoured manner or ideal course; and that only if this procedure is not
done then, in consequence, one will have to manage by pulling the foreskin
back. A few may be adhering to this outlook.
After all circumcision is such a common practice in various parts of the
world. At the time of birth I was also circumcised, as my laokik parents
are not margiis.
So as Ananda Margiis we should take a look if really the matter is like
that and then explore what is the proper and natural way.
Kindly write your thoughts.
Note 4: SIXTEEN POINTS IS APTA VAKYA-- ETERNAL TRUTH
It is our moral duty to follow each and every point as sincerely as possible.
Baba says, "What comes from Parama Purusa is Apta Vakya (eternal truth)...
You should follow only Apta Vakya. You should remember that the Sixteen
Points are your Apta Vakya." (AV-2)
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Difference Between Literate & Educated
Those who have studied the books but did not bring those teachings into
practice may be termed literate but they are certainly not educated.
Baba says, "Educated are those who have learnt much, remembered much and
made use of their learning in practical life." (PNS-18, p.38)
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