== UNKNOWN SINS IN OUR LIFE ==
Namaskar,
In His discourses, Baba invariably makes reference to the fact that
human beings commit sins.
Whether one wants to use the word samskara or sin, the fact remains that
humans commit such wrongs: Actions that may or may not be against the
legal code of the day, but transgress our cardinal human values and
moral codes. And that of course is the difference between a crime and a
sin.
Baba says, "If the violation is in the spiritual code, rather the
religious code, it is termed as 'sin'. If the violation is against the
legal code it is known as 'crime'." (AFPS-6)
The trick then comes in knowing what is sinful and what is not. Because
there are some actions people know to be wrong, while there are various
other misdeeds that people do unknowingly-- yet by that way also they
incur sin.
So we should all be aware of these unknown sins, because even if the
motive is not to commit sin, if one does those acts it still falls
within the category of sin. Hence awareness is needed.
MUST NOT FALL INTO SINNER'S PSYCHOLOGY
As we delve into this discussion of committing sin unknowingly-- whether
it be via abortion, or mentally harming someone, or overlooking our
social duties etc-- we should be vigilant not to fall into sinner's
psychology. One should not walk around thinking, 'I am a sinner, I am a
bad person...'. That would only severely worsen the situation.
Rather we should take this in a positive light-- as a way to improve and
purify ourselves. Just at it is important to know the laws of the land
in order to keep oneself out of harm's way and become an upstanding
citizen; similarly it is vital that we be aware of all sorts of sins so
we can keep away from these misdeeds and become a model of dharma. By
this way we invariably become better human beings and can better help
others also.
So the whole essence of this conversation is aim towards human growth
and development. And of course it will help decrease or totally
eliminate the accumulation of negative samskaras.
ANANDA MARGIIS ARE A STEP AHEAD
As Ananda Margiis we are already ahead of the game. Because common
sinful things like idol worship and the torturing and eating animals, we
do not do. Whereas those in the general society constantly incur sin by
doing such things.
Baba says, "Those who in the name of the beginningless, endless,
formless Brahma worship idols, are indulging in deliberate slander. You
must not give indulgence to this type of mahapa'pa (great sin)." (CC-2)
Baba says, "Even to see an animal being slaughtered is a sin; he [a
devotee] cannot even think of eating meat." (HS-1)
So these are known sins about which we have to raise awareness in the
general society-- and that we are doing in our various pracara efforts.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE UNKNOWN SINS
Then what are some of the unknown sins that some Ananda Margiis might do?
Often times these are things which are legal, but against our code of
spiritual morality. So one is not committing a crime by doing these
things, but one is committing sin and incurring negative samskara.
In this era of extreme debauchery, fathering children yet not taking
responsibility for their upbringing is not a crime, but according to AM
it certainly is a sin. Because not doing what one is supposed to do,
i.e. pratyavaya, is sinful.
Baba says, "Pratyava'ya means 'not to do what should be done'. For
instance, parents should educate [and raise] their children. If they do
not, they are said to have committed pratyava'ya." (NKS, Disc:18)
Thus living a libertine life is surely a way to incur sin-- and this
type of sin is worse than ordinary sin.
Baba says, "Pratyava'ya [sin of ommision] is worse than pa'pa [sin of
commission]." (AV-1)
And veritably there are a wide-range of (in)actions that are classified
as pratyavaya. In various discourse like 'Sinners & their Rectification'
(AV-31), as well as in other places, Baba warns us about the wide range
of actions that fall within the scope of pratyavaya [sin of ommission].
Baba says, "You should help a man in distress. You should help the
suffering humanity. These are the dos of life. If you do not do them,
you are doing pratyava'ya." (AV-14)
As Ananda Margiis, we have many dos that are part and parcel of our
moral and spiritual lives: From watering plants to opposing injustice,
from participating in service projects to being an example in society.
And whenever we fail to act positively in this regard, then that is a
veritable sin. So we should be vigilant.
OTHER SINS THAT ANANDA MARGIIS MIGHT DO:
ABORTIONS, MAHAPRAYAN, ETC
All in all there are a variety of sins that Ananda Margiis might do
unknowingly.
For example, doing an abortion is sinful. In many places it is not
illegal, but according to the view of Ananda Marga, it is certainly
sinful. Because each and every human being has the right to live, and to
prematurely end that life, irregardless of the stage of pregnancy, is
most definitely a sin.
Then, of course, there is the infamous Mahaprayan program which reduces
our infinite Parama Brahma to a mere finite being that is gone forever.
Many in AM may blindly or naively participate in this dogmatic
Mahaprayan program, yet by doing so they are certainly incurring
negative samskaras and committing sin. Because the crude doctrine of
Mahaprayan is a form of idol worship as it wholly fails to recognise
Parama Purusa as the "beginningless, endless, formless Brahma".
Plus if anyone visits the Tigers grave in Jamalpur or any other
so-called tiirtha spot in AM and dogmatically touches their forehead to
that spot etc, then also they are committing sin.
So there are any number of ways that people may be unknowingly
committing sin in Ananda Marga.
But of course, those organisers of Mahaprayan who cunningly devise and
flaunt this MPD program for their own group cause are deliberate
sinners. And their fate is even worse. Scuh persons know who they are
and cannot escape their fate.
A TIME FOR CONTEMPLATION
So all of the above we should bring into our mental awareness and side
by side cultivate the idea that, 'I am the blessed child of Parama
Purusa and I have come onto this earth to serve Him and help others'. By
that way our mental plate will be clean-- devoid of sinner's
psychology-- and we can move ahead in a positive direction.
COMMON SINS IN THE SOCIETY
Here are other sins listed in point-wise fashion that are commonly done
in the society. So we should keep ourselves clear of these misdeeds, as
well as educate others.
* Many times people harm others mentally by thinking or wishing bad
things on them. This is especially the case when one suffers from anger
and jealousy such as when one is in business and does not think well of
his competitors. Or an even more common example is in the case of
various male-female relations. Then people can become extremely jealous
and malevolent in their thoughts. And sometimes they even take action in
the physical sphere as well. All these types of things are common sins
in the society and occur on a daily basis.
* In capitalism it is in vogue to exploit & cheat others. One get
praised and promoted for such things. Thus in the business world there
are many who commit sins each and every day that they go to work.
* Politicians who incite war with a crooked motive are also clear-cut
sinners. Right now our globe is riddled with such people.
* Some derive a sick type of joy by seeing others in problem. That also
is sinful.
* All instances of genocide, homicide, and suicide are sinful. Genocide
we have seen with Hitler, the Serbs, and so many cases around the globe.
Then homicide is also are regular occurrence and now it has become the
fashion of the day to walk onto college campuses and open fire on
innocent students. Plus no one has any right to kill themselves as this
body and mind do not belong to them but rather to Parama Purusa. So all
cases of genocide, homicide, and suicide are sinful.
MORE REFLECTION
Generally speaking people have narrow idea about sin. So we should open
our own minds and make others aware as well. True margiis should be
aware about the various types of sin in order to protect themselves and
help the society. Even then, ultimately only the grace of Parama Purusa
can save us, but at least we should use our intellect to keep away from
unknown sins, as far as possible.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He is so gracious as He saves each and every person and
lovingly brings them on His lap, irregardless of their past misdeeds and
sins. All one has to do is remember that they are the divine child of
Parama Purusa and approach Him for His mercy.
Baba says, "For such a sinner, the worst type of sinner, the future is
not dark. The future in his case also is very bright, if he takes
shelter in the divine lap of the Supreme Father. “I am on the lap of my
Father, I cannot be a sinner.” Suppose you are walking along the path
and your dress, your clothes, become muddy due to dust or clay. Then
should you think that you will remain nasty or dirty forever? If you
appear before your Father with dirty clothes, what will your Father do?
He will clean your clothes and take you on his lap: “O my son, your
clothes have become muddy, but you are my son. Come here, come here, sit
on My lap. I am your Father, you are My son, you must not suffer from
any sinner’s psychology.” Do you follow?
"So even if, in the past, you were sinners, forget it. Remember that
from this very moment, you are the neat and clean son, you are the neat
and clean child, of the Supreme Father. So there must not be any
psychology of sinning complex. For a spiritual aspirant, there must not
be any complex. Be free from all complexes, and move along the path of
righteousness with a balanced mind, with mental equilibrium and mental
equipoise. A bright future awaits you." (AV-34)
Namaskar,
Gurumurti
Note 1: POWER OF BABA NAM KEVALAM
Here again Baba instructs us how to save ourselves from sin. Of course
in the first place we should strive not to fall prey to papa (sin of
commission) or pratyavaya (sin of ommission), but should such an event
ever occur, Baba has blessed us with one special remedy.
Baba says, "I have made a rhyme:"
Ba'ba' na'm kevalam yata pa'p hare
Pa'piider sa'dhya nei tata pa'p kare.
[The repetition of Ba'ba' na'm kevalam even once kills so many sins that
the worst sinners could not accumulate them.] (AV-6)
