Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:22:21 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Giriish Deva
Subject: Baba Story: Caring For Animals
Baba
== BABA STORY: CARING FOR ANIMALS ==
Namaskar,
In 1988, during a WT reporting session for Kolkata region, Baba pointed out one worker: "After drinking coconut water why did you throw the coconut shell on somebody who was also eating?"
The Wt was shocked to hear this and wondered how could this be.
Baba reminded him of the situation: "A few days ago you were drinking coconut water. When you were done, then you carelessly threw that heavy green coconut towards the side of the road without looking to see who was there. That heavy coconut fell on one dog that was eating beside the road. But you did not care that the dog was hurt. The dog ran away crying."
Hearing Baba's narration, the entire scene flashed in the mind of that wt and he felt felt ashamed for what he had done. Baba rebuked him and the dada's punishment was to beg apology by touching the feet of all the wts present. Then he promised never to commit such a sin ever again and to be kind to all creatures.
Namaskar,
Giriish
As sadhakas, we must have love and affection for the entire creation. We should be careful and respectful towards all beings. We must not hurt others unnecessarily, whether that be a human being, animal or plant.
When one makes a mistake and feels repentance for their wrongdoing then Baba ignores their mistake because the person understands the problem and will not commit that same wrong in the future.
But when a person commits a mistake and (a) is unaware about their wrongdoing, or (b) thinks the mistake is justified because "I have a special status", or (c) knows it is wrong but does it anyway as he thinks no one sees or knows about it, then in all those cases Baba will certainly point out, rebuke, or punish that person in order to rectify them.
The central idea is that if one has committed a mistake and has repentance then Baba ignores the matter.
Generally speaking, if a common person behaves in accordance with the accepted societal norms of the day then they are not punished for their action. For instance, if a person eats meat in a country where meat-eating is the norm, then they are not to be blamed for their action. Similarly if a person engages in pre-marital sex when the whole society is doing the same, then once again that person is not blameworthy. Because they are acting in accordance with the accepted societal norms.
But in AM it is not like that. No dada, didi, or margii can follow the "existing social norms" and expect to escape punishment.
For instance, if any Ananda Margii (dada, didi or family person) eats meat then they are culpable and will face the consequences. Same if one engages in pre-marital sex; in that case too they will face the wrath of prakrti.
The point being that Ananda Margiis are the vanguards of a neo-humanistic social order. By Baba's grace we have been blessed with all His teachings on dharma. So we cannot just give those up and follow common social trends. If we do that we are committing sin. And we will not be spared.
We have to follow the social code of Ananda Marga - in each and every circumstance regardless of what is accepted by the general society.
So in the above story, the dada was negligent in his dealing with one street dog. In India, street dogs are not treated well; everyone kicks them and pushes them around. Thus the dada's action did not contravene the social norm of the day, but he did fail to live up to our AM code of neo-humanism. For that reason he was punished.
No Ananda Margii can say or think that, "Well this is done in the general society so I can also do that." This is the wrong outlook. We always have to live up to our AM standard, not any other. This applies to each and every conduct rule and guideline.
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Giriish Deva
Subject: Baba Story: Caring For Animals
Baba
== BABA STORY: CARING FOR ANIMALS ==
Namaskar,
In 1988, during a WT reporting session for Kolkata region, Baba pointed out one worker: "After drinking coconut water why did you throw the coconut shell on somebody who was also eating?"
The Wt was shocked to hear this and wondered how could this be.
Baba reminded him of the situation: "A few days ago you were drinking coconut water. When you were done, then you carelessly threw that heavy green coconut towards the side of the road without looking to see who was there. That heavy coconut fell on one dog that was eating beside the road. But you did not care that the dog was hurt. The dog ran away crying."
Hearing Baba's narration, the entire scene flashed in the mind of that wt and he felt felt ashamed for what he had done. Baba rebuked him and the dada's punishment was to beg apology by touching the feet of all the wts present. Then he promised never to commit such a sin ever again and to be kind to all creatures.
Namaskar,
Giriish
THREE OF BABA'S TEACHINGS
#1: MUST SHOW KINDNESS TO ALL
As sadhakas, we must have love and affection for the entire creation. We should be careful and respectful towards all beings. We must not hurt others unnecessarily, whether that be a human being, animal or plant.
#2 WHEN ONE MAKES A MISTAKE...
When one makes a mistake and feels repentance for their wrongdoing then Baba ignores their mistake because the person understands the problem and will not commit that same wrong in the future.
But when a person commits a mistake and (a) is unaware about their wrongdoing, or (b) thinks the mistake is justified because "I have a special status", or (c) knows it is wrong but does it anyway as he thinks no one sees or knows about it, then in all those cases Baba will certainly point out, rebuke, or punish that person in order to rectify them.
The central idea is that if one has committed a mistake and has repentance then Baba ignores the matter.
#3; MUST ADHERE TO OUR AM STANDARD
Generally speaking, if a common person behaves in accordance with the accepted societal norms of the day then they are not punished for their action. For instance, if a person eats meat in a country where meat-eating is the norm, then they are not to be blamed for their action. Similarly if a person engages in pre-marital sex when the whole society is doing the same, then once again that person is not blameworthy. Because they are acting in accordance with the accepted societal norms.
But in AM it is not like that. No dada, didi, or margii can follow the "existing social norms" and expect to escape punishment.
For instance, if any Ananda Margii (dada, didi or family person) eats meat then they are culpable and will face the consequences. Same if one engages in pre-marital sex; in that case too they will face the wrath of prakrti.
The point being that Ananda Margiis are the vanguards of a neo-humanistic social order. By Baba's grace we have been blessed with all His teachings on dharma. So we cannot just give those up and follow common social trends. If we do that we are committing sin. And we will not be spared.
We have to follow the social code of Ananda Marga - in each and every circumstance regardless of what is accepted by the general society.
So in the above story, the dada was negligent in his dealing with one street dog. In India, street dogs are not treated well; everyone kicks them and pushes them around. Thus the dada's action did not contravene the social norm of the day, but he did fail to live up to our AM code of neo-humanism. For that reason he was punished.
No Ananda Margii can say or think that, "Well this is done in the general society so I can also do that." This is the wrong outlook. We always have to live up to our AM standard, not any other. This applies to each and every conduct rule and guideline.
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