== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: Part IV ADDENDUM ==
Namaskar,
Here are further thoughts about point #2 of Sixteen Points, i.e.
"Pulling back the foreskin", which does not include circumcision as an
alternative. Already other letters in this series have shown how the
foreskin is a natural and needed part of the male human body and should
not be removed. Rather, after reaching adolescence, it should simply be
pulled back.
Now let's explore how the same trend that led to the widespread practice
of male circumcision is also going on today with the female population
in the form of female genital cutting (FGC).
As Ananda Margiis we should be critically aware of this matter and never
allow it to enter our Marga, nor support it in areas where it is practiced.
POOR LOGIC
Local peoples and tribal communities attest that female circumcision is
a rite of passage for young girls as well as a point of hygiene.
However, the world over in the name of "rite of passage", all kinds of
dogmatic traditions are maintained. In some African tribes, a the male's
front teeth are pulled out and in the name of rite of passage pledges in
fraternities or gang members may get branded. In sum, all sorts of
illogical and harmful rituals are done in the name of "rite of passage".
So this is no justification for female circumcision.
Let's then address the idea that female circumcision helps in hygiene.
By this logic then:
1) If one is fearful that the baby will one day suffer from gum disease
or tooth decay, should then the lips be cut off?
2) If one is worried that a new born will one day contract a nasal
infection, should we then chop off the nose?
3) If one is concerned that an infant will one day have too much wax in
their ear, should we then have the ear removed?
The answer to all of these hypothetical questions is: Certainly not.
Then out of fear of disease, female circumcision or genital mutilation
should not be done. Proper hygiene should be attended to in another way,
according to Baba's guideline.
Here the idea becomes clear that the removal of part or all of an organ
is not the way to maintain hygiene. In the name of cleanliness or
purity, it is not proper to chop that organ. Thus those who claim this
as their rationale for female circumcision are just dogmatically
adhering to baseless logic.
MUST NOT ALLOW TO ENTER INTO AM
No doubt, more and more in AM are realising that male circumcision is
not part of our AM practices, even then due to the fact that it is a
common method in the general society, some in AM still have their
children circumcised. Mostly because of the faulty English translation
of original Caryacarya.
We should pay heed that a similar mistake does not occur with regards to
female circumcision.
At present, female circumcision is practiced quite commonly in parts of
Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In some areas it is honoured and in
others it is a matter of shame. Regardless, it is spreading despite
staunch opposition from groups like Amnesty International etc.
And not only that, people from those aforementioned regions are
traveling and relocating to other parts of the world. In which case
they bring their custom of female circumcision with them wherever they go.
Hence this is now being done in western Europe and the US as well.
Sooner or later, there is going go be an interface or meeting between
those communities which author female circumcision and our Marga, and
we should be prepared ahead of time. We should not let a repeat occur
as happened with male circumcision wherein margiis circumcised their
children out of naiveté, ignorance and confusion - nor because it was
common in their hometown and mistranslated in Caryacarya.
WILL BECOME ILLEGAL
There is hope - both inside and outside the Marga - that the painful and
torturous process of female circumcision will one day be abolished.
With the rise and spread of female circumcision also comes a rise in
awareness about this horrible and painful tradition. Now there is more
opposition than ever before about it and it is illegal in various
regions and countries. It is viewed as cruel and inhumane.
Indeed just as the human society is rallying to forbid female genital
circumcision / mutilation, soon the rest of the world will also
understand how the male circumcision is also a needless practice that
deforms the male baby. Such a cruel practice should not be done to an
innocent baby.
In the past grueling childhood labor was accepted, but now it is
outlawed. The same thing will occur with regards to male circumcision.
Our human society is growing and people are getting more and more
sincere about protecting others' welfare and comfort.There will be an
overwhelming outcry against this harmful practice as well.
Thus just as female circumcision is becoming illegal; that step is on
the horizon for male circumcision. Good and rational people will deem it
as inhumane.
Of course, some Christian and Muslim groups propagate circumcision with
their ulterior motive and like-minded doctors do the same, it but in due
course it will all be unmasked.
Here again our point is that instead of deforming the body with any kind
of circumcision process, after reaching puberty one should simply pull
back the foreskin. That is Baba's system - not any other.
KIDS WILL NOT FORGIVE
Indeed there is no need to torture young kids in this way and when they
grow older they will blame their elders and society-at-large for abusing
them. Certain ignorant parents who chose not to educate their children
when they were young were then blamed by those same children when they
got older. Why? Because that lack of education ended up being a form of
punishment to their children that lasted their entire life. Thus when
those kids got older they put 100% blame on their parents - and rightly so.
Similarly, the same is happening and will continue to happen in response
to those parents who subject their children to the cruel tradition of
circumcision. They will face the reaction by their kids when they get
older. Those grown children will raise the accusation: "Why did you
deform me in this way when I was young and defenseless."
MAKE OUR STAND
As Ananda Margiis, we should be in the forefront on this issue. We
should not sit still or just say it is part of the tradition. We must
not carry on the tribal and religious dogma of circumcision - neither
with women nor with men.
We are to live up to our ideals and uphold the spirit and teaching of
point #2 of Sixteen Points by not allowing or encouraging circumcision
and instead educating one and all - persons inside and outside the Marga
- that the foreskin is to be pulled back. That is the most natural and
most hygienic way.
BABA'S BLESSING
Baba says, "All dogma must be rooted out. You should start a revolution
against dogma. But to start a revolution you need courage. So gather
that courage and start a revolution against dogma." (PNS-16)
Baba says, "Those people who are society’s exceptions are extraordinary
people. Keeping our ideology fixed before our eyes, we must also become
exceptional people. For those people who are treading a new path, who
are constructing something new, exception is as valuable as their very
lives." (AV-8)
Namaskar,
Mirabai
Note: ARE MARGIIS TO BE BLAMED FOR BEING CIRCUMCISED
Some margiis, who were circumcised in their youth, may be concerned that
their sadhana will be affected because did something against 16 points.
My humble advice is that it is not their fault and they should not be
concerned about such ramifications. Just we should be clear not to
repeat such events in the future with the younger generation.
Just as Baba did not blame newly initiated margiis for eating meat prior
to entering the Marga, similarly there is not sin or blame attached to
those who were circumcised before coming in contact with the Marga. None
should be concerned in this way.
Those who got circumcised before entering the Marga - and now know
better - will not be blamed or penalised. Rather by sincerely following
16 Points, they will reach their ultimate Goal.
Note 2: OTHER LETTERS IN THIS SERIES & ON THIS TOPIC
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/improving-sadhana.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-improve-sadhana-part-ii.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-improve-sadhana-part-ii-addendum.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-improve-sadhana-part-iii.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-improve-sadhana-part-iv.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-those-who-came-from-semitic.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/04/re-circumcision-herd-psychology.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/04/circumcision-herd-psychology.html
