== EXPULSION: AGAINST FUNDAMENTALS OF AM AND AMPS ==
Namaskar,
Now & again, the issue of expulsion becomes somewhat of a hot-bed of
discussion. Many have given their opinions and feelings; some are inventing
their own theories; and overall the large majority of Ananda Margiis have a
sincere desire to understand, delineate, and follow Baba's teaching on this
highly important matter.
Amidst it all, some innocent people have on the one hand accepted the fact
that AM ideology is against the concept of expulsion, yet side by side he
has put forth the theorem that AMPS as an organisational body has the
capacity and method to expel someone.
So we should investigate this point: Is it really the case that AMPS has
the ability and right to expel someone even though the concept of expulsion
is itself forbidden in AM philosophy. Is it really like that? Can AMPS go
against the teachings of AM?
Here below is a look into this critical issue of expulsion which has been
plaguing our organisation since 1990 right up through this present moment.
BABA'S IDEOLOGICAL STANDPOINT
Firstly, for the awareness of one and all, we should review Baba's pointed
mandates where He forbids expulsion.
Baba says, "Harsh social punishment such as creating outcasts...do not find
any place in our society." (AFPS-7, p.6)
Hence in very clear language Baba adamantly declares that AM ideology does
not support the concept of expulsion: neither in letter nor in spirit. AM
ideology is totally against the idea of expelling anybody.
And here again in the below guideline Baba condemns unideological edicts
like expulsion which permanently push someone out of Ananda Marga.
Baba says, "On no account should anybody be branded forever." (PNS-7, p.54)
Thus Baba has given the directive that nobody can be permanently cast
aside-- which is what the weapon of expulsion effectively does: It
blackballs and scars someone for the remainder of their existence.
So from top to bottom Baba pointedly rejects the expulsion theory.
Plus in so many more discourses and in countless places we can find
innumerable references where Baba outrightly discards any type of expulsion
process.
By all this it is quite evident and undeniable that Ananda Marga ideology
does NOT accept the concept of expulsion-- not at all. Rather Baba strongly
condemns it.
CAN AMPS GO AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES OF AM
The next step in this process of understanding then is to investigate
whether AMPS rightly has the ability to expel someone even when expulsion
itself is 100% contrary to the teachings of AM ideology. Can our AMPS
organisation definitively go against the teachings of the AM ideology.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ORGANISATION-- AMPS
Without question, the whole emphasis and import of our AMPS organisation is
to propagate Ananda Marga ideology. After all AMPS means: Ananda Marga
Pracaraka Samgha. That is the name Baba has duly given because that is
the one and only purpose of AMPS. Its sole reason for existence is to
exemplify and propagate the teachings of AM. This is the duty of AMPS.
For example, it is not that AM ideology preaches that everyone should
follow a sentient vegetarian diet yet at the same time inside the AMPS
organisation one is allowed to eat meat and all kinds of tamasik items. It
is not like that. It is not that suddenly AMPS has the right or ability to
declare that eating flesh foods is allowed. AMPS cannot do like this.
Rather the AMPS organisation is responsible for representing the
ideological principle of following a sentient diet 100% of the time. That
is the way of our AMPS. And indeed in the practical sphere it does like that.
Likewise, it is not that AM ideology states that everyone should strictly
adhere to the code of yama and niyama, yet the AMPS organisation can
blatantly declare that stealing, cheating, harming others, and all kinds of
violations and contraventions of yama and niyama can be done etc. It is not
like that. AMPS cannot suddenly declare that yama and niyama need not be
followed. The organisation has no right to swerve from the ideological
teachings of AM. Rather AMPS maintains the ideal to perfectly abide by all
the tenets of yama and niyama. Indeed step by step AMPS attempts to
implement all of ideological principles of yama and niyama.
AMPS IS TO FOLLOW AM IDEOLOGY-- ALWAYS
Here the whole point is that in our Marga we do not preach one thing yet
side by side do something else. What AM ideology espouses, AMPS is to
follow. This is our Ananda Marga way of living: Clean and consistent. In
our Marga there is no scope for hypocrisy.
The path of AM or tantra is a practical approach where the philosophy is
meant to be represented by the organisation-- AMPS. This is our tantra and
this is our Marga.
So the entire approach of AMPS is to abide by and exemplify the principles
of AM ideology. There is no other way.
Thus when AM ideology clearly states that expulsion is forbidden then that
obviously means that the AMPS organisation must follow this very policy.
Our organisation cannot teach or do anything that goes against AM ideology.
So when the ideology (AM) states that there must not be any expulsions,
then the organisation (AMPS) is bound to follow that.
ALL A'NANDA MA'RGIIS ARE PART OF THE ORGANISATION
The next obvious sequence then is to understand who is in the organisation.
Because we all now know what is it that AM ideology states and we now all
understand that the organisation (AMPS) must follow the AM ideology.
So the next point to clarify then who is actually in the organisation--
AMPS. That is who are those people who are considered part of AMPS and are
therefore meant to follow and manifest the teachings of AM.
Answer: All A'nanda Ma'rgiis-- Wts & family persons-- are a part of our
AMPS organisation.
It is NOT that only Wts are part of the organisation. One cannot separate
family margiis from the organisation. Rather all are members of AMPS. This
is Baba's given mandate.
HERE IS THE PROOF THAT ALL ARE PART OF AMPS
And here is the proof that all are part of the organisation:
It is well accepted that every A'nanda Ma'rgii, whether they be wt or
family person, must follow 16 Points. This is commonly known to all.
Everyone knows that this is Baba's teaching: All have to follow 16 Points.
And final point of 16 points is: "Observe C.S.D.K." Hence this 16th point
of 16 Points is also mandatory for every Ananda Margii.
And as we all know the "S" of C.S.D.K. stands for: "Seminar".
Regarding seminar, it is a vital aspect of the running of our AMPS
organisation whereby everyone must attend seminar and once there everyone
is allotted some important organisation duty. This is one of the main
aspects of the seminar system: That everyone is expected to attend and
actively participate in seminar and in turn everyone is given some
organisational duty. That is what happens in our seminar system.
And at the same time Baba's directive is that every family margii, every
unmarried margii, every LFT, every Wt, indeed everyone must attend the
important organisational program of seminar. In that way everyone-- every
Ananda Margii-- is given the responsibility and duty to carry out various
works and projects for AMPS.
Thus, who can say that family people are not part of AMPS. Never-- it is
not like that. All Ananda Margii, irregardless of whether they are married
or wt, all are part and parcel of our AMPS organisation. And the
organisation is the worldly tool for preaching the teachings of AM ideology.
Thus it is a neat & clean, air-tight system: What AM preaches, AMPS does,
and all Ananda Margiis are members of AMPS so they are bound to follow the
ideology. This is Baba's designated style.
SUMMARY AND REVIEW
So then on the point of expulsion it is all crystal-clear; it is an open
and shut case. It is an easy three step process: (1) AM ideology clearly
states that expulsion is not allowed; (2) the AMPS organisation is bound to
follow this ideological tenet of not expelling anyone; (3) as members of
AMPS all Ananda Margiis are to exemplify the same rule: That expulsion
should not be done.
Where then is there scope for confusion or misunderstanding-- indeed there
is not. That is why in this age of growing ideological awareness all
rational Ananda Margiis are quickly sticking to the ideological point that
expulsion has no place in our AM society: not in AM and not in AMPS,
nowhere. And therefore no one should expel anyone. This point is quickly
seeping into the hearts and minds of all Ananda Margiis.
And after all look at it this way. If those in AMPS are not going to follow
AM ideology, that is if Ananda Margiis themselves are not going to follow
AM ideology, then who on this earth is going to follow Baba's AM ideology.
Should we think that somehow out of nowhere all the others on the planet
who do not do sadhana and who do not follow a sentient diet are going to
magically start perfectly following AM ideology and 16 Points without our
example or example. Of course not.
\
Here then we can easily see that it is our duty to first adhere to Baba's
teachings of AM ideology.
Given all this, the point of expulsion is quite straight and clear.
Expulsion goes contrary to the fundamentals of AM ideology and the AMPS
organisation; and it is the duty of every Ananda Margii to live up to this
standard of not expelling anyone.
Baba says, "Your ideal should be represented by your do conduct..."
(A'nanda Va'nii #13)
Thus when our ideal states that expulsion is not allowed then the thoughts,
words, and deeds of every Ananda Margii should reflect Baba's ideological
directive of 'No expulsion'.
OURS IS AN OPEN SOCIETY
Here following is Baba's golden guideline that all are welcome to be part
of our Ananda Marga.
Baba says "Ananda Marga keeps its gates open so that each and every man and
woman may enter. Anybody may join, anybody may sing in chorus with the
rest. The united march of the people is a march of victory. Ananda Marga
states this in unequivocal language." ('Spirit of Society')
Hence AM is an open society where there is no scope for expelling anyone.
This is not allowed.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's divine grace He has blessed us with all the teachings and
practices to guide the society. By following AM ideology-- that is by our
sterling conduct, by exemplifying His various teachings such as no
expulsions-- we will lead the humanity into the brilliant new era.
Here is Baba's divine blessing upon all Ananda Margiis.
Baba says, "Common people do not know how to do, what to do, what is the
destination. They want guidance. They want guidance from certain people
whom they respect, whom they accept as their object of adoration. They
respect those people because of their high moral conduct...You boys and you
girls, you are to establish yourselves as developed human beings and as
blessed with the glory of human excellence at the helm of every affair.
Society will recognize you because of your service, because of your
sacrifice. And not only that, everybody is expecting that they will get
your help, your assistance, your guidance, when there is a dire necessity
for the same. You boys and you girls, you should know that I solely depend
on you for the translation of our lofty ideology." (AV-34, p.85-6)
Namaskar,
Punya'tman
Note 1: BABA'S WARNING: EXPULSION FRAGMENTS SOCIETY
Here below is one special warning from Baba where He explicitly tells us
about the extreme dangers of expulsion.
Baba says, "Suppose somebody is suspended from his job. In his mind the
seeds of revolt germinate. He files a court case, contacts so many people,
organizes a demonstration, etc. That is the natural reaction to
suspension." (AV-3)
By His above warning it is quite clear that those who are expelled will
form their own separate structure and embark on the negative path of
dividing the society. This is the dark and inevitable result of expulsion:
More and more division. And that is what we are practically witnessing in
our AMPS nowadays. This is one of the horrors that is going on.
It is quite clear then that the unideological act of expulsion is highly
detrimental to developing one human society. Indeed we can say that so long
as the weapon of expulsion is in vogue, one human society cannot be formed.
Note 2: MORE OF BABA'S TEACHINGS AGAINST EXPULSION
Here are more of Baba's important guidelines which condemn the crude tactic
of expulsion.
Baba says, "If punishment kills or prevents one from progressing along
life's path, it may be treated as vice...Instead of hating anyone, the
sadvipras will encourage everyone to build good careers. This will be the
sadvipra's principle duty. None should feel that they have been doomed
forever." (PNS-7, p.54-55)
Baba says, "Ananda Marga has formed a society which frames its laws on the
basis of common ideals in order to develop the idea of one-ness of all
humanity. This society is radically different from any existing society,
for it provides a society with a common bond where there is no distinction
between class or sex, where no one is declared an outcast..." (PNS-11, p.6)
By reading Baba's above teachings surely everyone understands well that
expulsion is not at all allowed in our AM way of life.
Rather our Marga is destined to create that singular humanity where are all
looked upon as family members and given the wonderful opportunity to move
along the path of Supreme salvation.
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Mister or Shrii
Baba says, "The Samskrta word Shrii means 'the most charming personality'.
The word 'shrii' is derived from sha + ra + uniis. 'Sha' is the acoustic
root of the mutative principle, and 'ra' is the acoustic root of energy.
With the help of these two things, 'sha' plus 'ra', human beings are
moving, dancing, speaking, and doing so many things. Obviously they need
'sha' and 'ra' very much. The Supreme abode of 'shrii' is Parama Purus'a."
(SS-12, p.4)
Note: In this above quote, Baba is describing the meaning of 'Shrii' so
that we can understand why we call Him 'Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji'-- not
'Mr. Anandamurtiji'. Naturally in our life we should then address Him in
the way which He likes to be called.
However, because of their dogmatic beliefs, some jinanis prefer the term
'Mister Sarkar' or even just plain 'Sarkar' instead of 'Shrii'. In that
case we should gently try to make them aware about their dogma.
The central idea is that 'Shrii' is a very meaningful term and we should
not only use this when addressing our Beloved Guru, but everyone should use
the term 'Shrii' before their own name as well. This is Baba's direct
teaching.
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