== DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS TIIRTHA ==
Note: This letter is related with a recent program so read
below to find out what happened
Namaskar,
In our Ananda Marga, we are not like the various dogmatic religions
which rely on tiirthas or places of pilgrimage in order to reach their
chosen deity. In AM, we know Baba resides in our heart.
Baba says, "Parama Purus'a always remains with you, within the very core
of your heart. So search within, O spiritual aspirant, not without, but
within, within your very existence." (AV-12, p.41)
In stark contrast, the Muslims trek to their holy city of Mecca to find
their god; the Christians travel to Rome & elsewhere; and the Hindus
take the trail to Varanasi. In all such cases, their chosen lord lives
outside them - not within. They feel their god resides somewhere else
and they impose the crutch of geo-sentiment (by creating a tiirtha) for
the survival of their faith.
By Baba's grace, in our Marga we feel that Parama Purusa resides
directly in our heart. We need not go anywhere to find Him. Nor do we
employ any such crutch - not geo-sentiment or anything else. Every
Ananda Margii feels that Baba is with them all the 24hrs. It is purely
an internal, devotional link.
Unfortunately, a few group leaders who lost their dharmic vision started
propagating their own tiirtha program using their transplanted dogma
from the Hindu religion.
So we should all take a look what is going on.
SCENE AT THE RECENT JAMALPUR DMS
At the recent Jamalpur 2010 DMS, the so-called PP Dada (note: there
is no official Purodha Pramukha now per Baba's system) began his main
lecture with the following type of expression:
"This is Jamalpur - Baba is here - people from all over the world will
come here and get their final blessing - they will come and get virtue
and moksa (salvation)..."
"You are fortunate that you have come to Jamalpur - our holy land -
those who come here will reach their Goal - this is where to get
Baba's blessing."
Such was the message from the so-called PP Dada. You can decide for
yourself how far his speech is dharmic or not.
Please read below to see what the margiis present thought.
MARGIIS' REACTION
Hearing such talk from a highly posted and senior Dada was quite
shocking for many of the margiis. Because when one of our acarya talks
then we assume his message will be in line with our AM teachings. But
this was not - not even close.
Many margiis simply laughed. They had traveled from distant places to
get to Jamalpur and they felt that Baba was with them in their home, in
their travels - always. They came to Jamalpur to attend DMS, not because
they thought Jamalpur was the only place to get Baba's blessing. They
get Baba's blessing always. So that is why some were smiling and
laughing upon hearing Dadaji's silly talk.
Other margiis were just plain sad by listening to Dadaji's words. They
thought what a tragedy it is that our Wt cadre has reached such a low
standard. In the past our acaryas were the foremost spiritual teachers
on the planet and now because they forgot their sadhana those same
acaryas have become like the dogmatic priests from the various religions.
Whatever may be, none were deceived by Dada's talk. nobody thought that
Baba resides in Jamalpur or that Jamalpur is a holy site for Ananda
Margiis. All understood that Baba resides in the heart.
"Vrnda'vanam parityajya pa'damekam na gaccha'mi..." (PS 4425)
"I am always eternally present in Vrindavan, in the hearts of devotees.
That is the Guru cakra. I do not go even a little away from that. I am
eternally present along with the devotees."
It is purely Baba's causeless grace that as Ananda Margiis we know that
Baba resided in the heart. Failing that we would become like that
followers of all the dogmatic religions who get exploited by their own
priests.
WHY THAT DADA TOLD LIKE THAT
Now the question comes, why did that Dada say like that. Why did he
openly proclaim Jamalpur as a tiirtha and that this was the place to get
Baba's blessing.
Here is what those at the DMS concluded:
1) Dadaji spoke like that because he has left his sadhana and misplaced
his devotional feeling. Without the requisite devotion and lack of
meditative practices, then one will be prone to such dogmatic expression.
2) Dadaji spoke like that because he wanted to impose a geo-sentiment.
By turning Jamalpur into the centerpiece of AM life, then Dadas in
charge of Jamalpur will get prestige and donations from the many margiis
visiting from afar. With that enhanced status then they can exploit
the margiis even more.
The priests in all the dogmatic religions profited greatly by making
certain places into so-called holy lands. People gave them maximum money
and garlanded them with huge respect. Geo-sentiment is the lowliest
sentiment, according to Baba, but if one is able to dupe the masses in
this way, then such a priest has created a great pedestal for a selfish
agenda. That is Baba's warning.
All in all, many were saying that this is what happens when
narrow-minded people grab the power and forget to do their sadhana. Then
to increase their power they resort to all kinds of dogma like tiirthas etc.
Those are but some of the many reasons which margiis cited for why
Dadaji spoke in that dogmatic manner about Jamalpur being a "holy land."
And all agreed that this dogmatic tiirtha must be vigorously opposed. It
should not be allowed to continue - not even for 1 more second.
Here is how Baba describes the low mentality behind those who subscribe
to the dogmatic theory of tiirthas and so-called holy lands.
Baba says, "Some people say, 'Since I must die, I must die only in
Benares (Kashii)'. How strange! All countries have been created by the
Supreme Consciousness, so all countries are equal. The universal concept
of dharma that God is all-pervasive-- this essence of dharma has been
forgotten. Ultimately dharma has been reduced to a geo-sentiment
centering around Benares." (NH-LOI, '87 Edn, p.23)
JUST ABUSE TO BABA:
SINFUL TO SAY LIKE THAT
Ultimately, we know that Parama Purusa is omnipresent, omniscient, and
all-powerful. Hence, to limit Him to a particular place or land is
nothing but to diminish His greatness.
So those who try to establish tiirtha sites to enhance their power or
for any reason just end up revealing their limited outlook. Because
instead of glorifying Him they are indulging in sin.
"Vya'pitvm ca...dine"
Baba says, "The Supreme Being is omnipresent, all-pervading and witness
to everything, everywhere. It is not proper to confine Him to a
particular place and say that he has eaten butter at this place or taken
a dip in the Ganges at that particular place, thus limiting Him to a
particular region or a particular country or the glorification of a
particular sacred place, and thereby limit His all-pervasiveness"
(AV-11, p.29)
And that is what happened with that Dada who spoke like that at the
Jamalpur DMS program - he indulged in sin.
A WARNING TO ALL
When people fail to do more sadhana, as has apparently happened with
this Dadaji, then Baba tells us that such a person is prone to dogmatic
types of worship like the holy land dogma.
That is Baba's explicit warning: If you do not do sadhana sincerely then
you will fall prey to dogma and commit sin - period.
Baba says, "People generally want to live without intense sadhana in the
spiritual sphere and without much effort in the mundane sphere. When
people seek to acquire fortune or attain salvation without proper
effort, then they try to remove their sins by visiting the so-called
holy places." (NSS)
This is exactly what happened to that Dada and the organisers of the
Jamalpur DMS. Baba's above teaching is the perfect narrative about
their ways.
BABA'S BLESSING
In this negative environment of dogma and staticity this following
Ananda Vanii gives strong force of hope and inspiration that our future
is bright.
At the same time we must not sit and wait. We should vigorously oppose
the creation of any so-called holy land in AM, whether it be in
Jamlapur, Kolkata or anywhere else. Such a dogma has not place in
our Ananda Marga.
Baba says, "Human civilization now faces the final moment of a critical
juncture. The dawn of a glorious new era is on its one side and the
worn-out skeletons of the past on the other. People have to adopt either
of these two. You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshipers of
Life Divine, hence I call you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with
glorious light. Victory is surely yours." (Ananda Vanii)
Note: In the above Vanii "skeletons of the past" means dogmatic rituals
like tiirthas and so-called holy lands etc.
Namaskar,
Rambabu
Note 1: BABA DOES NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON JAMALPUR
As we all know, Baba himself has never placed much importance on any
worldly land-- including Jamalpur.
Baba says, "During the twelve years since 1966, I have not been to
Jamalpur." (AV-7)
Thus when He Himself does not highlight Jamalpur, then none should
listen to the words of any Dada who claims that Jamalpur is the "holy
land" for Ananda Margiis. IN AM there is no so-called holy land: Not
Jamalpur, not Kolkata, not Fiesch, not Tiljala, not Bankipur Jail, not
any physical location. He is everywhere and within all.
Note 2: ONE OTHER INTERESTING, IF NOT SAD, POINT
Here is one other interesting notion for us to consider.
When someone is committing a wrong for the first time then they will be
very nervous and scared. For example, when a thief is about to commit
his first theft, then he will be shaking like a leaf. But after a while,
while thieving he will drink, dance and sing, because he is not at all
worried about his wrongdoing. That thief became habituated with his
sinful acts.
In the past, Dadas would only talk one-on-one about crude things like
tiirthas. They knew it was wrong so they would be very careful and
low-key in their dealing. But now, this Dada is going up to the podium
at DMS and declaring in front of all the Jamalpur is a "holy land".
Dadaji is shameless in his dealing. This shows how his mind has become
totally habituated to that dogma. How sad it is.
Note 3: WHO SPOKE LIKE THIS
It was Dada Vishvadevananda who spoke like this at the DMS. He was the
one openly telling about the Jamalpur holy land dogma.
Because groupists are more concerned with getting and holding onto
power than learning AM ideology, they are susceptible to falling
into sin.
This happens with all the various parties: H, B, EC etc.
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To Do Great Work
Baba says, "The meaning of the 'Sam'gacchadhvam' Mantra should be realised
in life. Always remain united. Solve all problems, big or small, with
unity. Consider misfortune of one as the misfortune of all-- an injury to
one as an injury to all." (CC-2, 'Society' chapter, point #34)
Note: So long as Baba's above teaching is not put into practice, one cannot
do great work. Devoid of this one's life will be as meaningful as the life
of a termite or ant etc. In our practical life we should be strict in
following Baba's teaching.
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