Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:36:04
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Pradiip Deva
Subject: WT Profit: New Way Money is Made
Baba
Namaskar,
A new trend is on the rise that we should all be aware of; it is related with our Ananda Marga ceremonies.
As we all know, our Wt’s (wholetimers) are meant to be the luminaries and ideal examples in society. By this way all will trust and revere our acarya cadre. Baba has talked about this again and again.
Kindly read the following about how our wts are conducting ceremonies and share your thoughts.
First we should review Baba’s special teaching. Here following, Baba is openly mocking certain vipras and pointedly revealing how the priest class (i.e. vipras) exploits society.
Baba says, “Even if one undergoes austerities, practises ritualistic fasting, undertakes pilgrimages, bathes in holy rivers and springs, worships a sacred fire or studies the scriptures, one will not be blessed unless one also offers sacerdotal fees to the vipras (priests). Only the vipras are authorized to recite even ordinary páncálii [long folk poems] about laokik gods and goddesses – and needless to say, a vipra would never visit anybody to recite such poems without remuneration…every intelligent person knows that a vipra (priests) will never act as an agent of God without some remuneration.” (Human Society – 2, The Vipra Age)
In His above guideline, Baba is colourfully describing how the vipras (priests) operate: How they dominate and exploit the society. They charge the common people for all kinds of “holy” arrangements and ceremonies. This is the ongoing approach by such vipras / priests to make more money.
But the story does not end here.
Tragically, in our own organisation, Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, similar types of things seem to be occurring. Here are points for your consideration.
1. As we know, Baba created the system that no one should pay anyone for conducting marriage ceremonies, baby naming ceremonies, death ceremonies and all such occasions etc. In Caryacarya it has been declared that all such functions and ceremonies are free. That is Baba’s stated mandate.
2. Unfortunately, nowadays, various dadas are charging big money for arranging marriages, conducting marriages, and even conducting death ceremonies etc. This has become big business for certain dadas. For marriages they are accepting cash and kind (gifts).
3. Some dadas are also charging money for initiations and other ceremonies. This creates problems in multiple directions. Baba teachings are not being followed; margiis are being subjected to unjust fees; and lastly such actions reflect poorly on the many dedicated and honest wts in our Marga. Thus it is a triple-loss.
4. One key example is Ac Sharanananda Avt. who is involved in society building. Our Dadaji charges as much as 10,000 rupees for Indian couples and approximately 10,000 dollars for overseas margiis just to sign one simple piece of paper indicating that a marriage has been performed. Here we are not talking about court fees or any other expense. Dadaji is charging the families that much just to sign his name on the paper.
However Sharananandji is not alone in this endeavour. Other dadas charging big-time fees for marriage ceremonies include Madhuvratananda, Nabhatiitananda, Raganugananda, and Satyashreyananda etc.
5. In their heart of hearts, such Wts know it is wrong so they ward off any guilt with the justification that, “This is the easiest way to get some money from margiis.” This is their mentality.
6. The question of virtue and vice does not arise for these types of wts. Such workers feel that virtue and vice are for margiis or non-margiis. They console themselves by thinking that, “For me, as a wt, there is no question of virtue or vice; I am beyond all that.” More and more dadas are resorting to such justifications and negative thinking. Unfortunately that will only lead to their downfall and create problems in society.
7. Here in India there is a strong dogma that Ananda Marga ceremonies must be led by wts. That is the demand and feeling of many margiis of Delhi sector. All because of the prevailing Indian dogmatic belief: some have have an inherent preference for the saffron cloth – not margii cloth. For instance, even in those places where family acaryas are prevalent, the margiis think that it will be very auspicious if the ceremony is conducted by a wt. This dogma is reinforced by wts; that is unfortunate. Because an acarya is an acarya, irrespective of whether they are a wt of family margii.
8. Who can forget that our organisation lost so many good wts because they were overly involved in arranging others’ marriages. In that course they arranged a marriage for themselves as well. Still today this is going on.
9. The standard system is that wts should not be involved in marriage ceremonies and preparations etc. That is the work of our family acaryas. If any wt is doing this job then we must conclude that he has that type of weakness: To remain around the opposite sex. That may lead to his final decay. So best is for family acaryas to oversee and conduct all marriage ceremonies etc.
10. By the looks of it, these workers, who are charging big money to perform marriage ceremonies, are exploitative vipras - not sadvipras. Here again is Baba’s teaching where He exposes how the priest class exploits society. Actually in this below teaching Baba is mocking the dealings of such priests. Thus in Ananda Marga, we do not at all support this type of mentality where the priest class uses their status and position to take advantage of the people.
Baba says, “Even if one undergoes austerities, practises ritualistic fasting, undertakes pilgrimages, bathes in holy rivers and springs, worships a sacred fire or studies the scriptures, one will not be blessed unless one also offers sacerdotal fees to the vipras (priests). Only the vipras are authorized to recite even ordinary páncálii [long folk poems] about laokik gods and goddesses – and needless to say, a vipra would never visit anybody to recite such poems without remuneration…every intelligent person knows that a vipra (priests) will never act as an agent of God without some remuneration.” (Human Society – 2, The Vipra Age)
11. In the next letter, we will share how Wts from other factions, such as B group and EC, are also involved in charging for marriage ceremonies etc.
12. Finally, I invite you to write in with your comments and reflections on this topic, especially from those who also have been personally affected by this.
Namaskar,
Pradiip Deva
“An’ur vyatha’, etodine bujhale priyo, anuma’ne...” (Prabhata Samgiita 4593)
Purport:
Baba, O’ my Dearest, now by Your guessing You have understood the feeling of this unit being. How You do not have time to come close to me; rather, You remain sitting on the divine throne of Your devotees. On that throne which is studded with jewels. So You do not have time to look towards this little being.
People are demanding of me, “Why do you go on crying, and why do you call that Divine Entity who will not come and who will never pay heed to your calling.” People also tell me, “Don’t you know, His heart is very hard like a stone. He does not care. He knows all the scriptures, all the shlokas, all the mantras and bhajans, so there is no need to tell anything to Him. He will not pay heed to your call.”
In spite of what they say, I never get frustrated or feel hopeless. By Your grace I know that I must get You. I know for certain that at some point in this life of mine, up to my death even – I know that You will come to me. O’ Baba, I am hopeful that You will grace me by coming in the lotus of my heart, and that You will make my life successful...
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Pradiip Deva
Subject: WT Profit: New Way Money is Made
Baba
== WT PROFIT: NEW WAY MONEY IS MADE ==
Namaskar,
A new trend is on the rise that we should all be aware of; it is related with our Ananda Marga ceremonies.
As we all know, our Wt’s (wholetimers) are meant to be the luminaries and ideal examples in society. By this way all will trust and revere our acarya cadre. Baba has talked about this again and again.
Kindly read the following about how our wts are conducting ceremonies and share your thoughts.
BABA MOCKS THE MODUS OPERANDI OF PRIESTS
First we should review Baba’s special teaching. Here following, Baba is openly mocking certain vipras and pointedly revealing how the priest class (i.e. vipras) exploits society.
Baba says, “Even if one undergoes austerities, practises ritualistic fasting, undertakes pilgrimages, bathes in holy rivers and springs, worships a sacred fire or studies the scriptures, one will not be blessed unless one also offers sacerdotal fees to the vipras (priests). Only the vipras are authorized to recite even ordinary páncálii [long folk poems] about laokik gods and goddesses – and needless to say, a vipra would never visit anybody to recite such poems without remuneration…every intelligent person knows that a vipra (priests) will never act as an agent of God without some remuneration.” (Human Society – 2, The Vipra Age)
In His above guideline, Baba is colourfully describing how the vipras (priests) operate: How they dominate and exploit the society. They charge the common people for all kinds of “holy” arrangements and ceremonies. This is the ongoing approach by such vipras / priests to make more money.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR MARGA
But the story does not end here.
Tragically, in our own organisation, Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, similar types of things seem to be occurring. Here are points for your consideration.
1. As we know, Baba created the system that no one should pay anyone for conducting marriage ceremonies, baby naming ceremonies, death ceremonies and all such occasions etc. In Caryacarya it has been declared that all such functions and ceremonies are free. That is Baba’s stated mandate.
2. Unfortunately, nowadays, various dadas are charging big money for arranging marriages, conducting marriages, and even conducting death ceremonies etc. This has become big business for certain dadas. For marriages they are accepting cash and kind (gifts).
3. Some dadas are also charging money for initiations and other ceremonies. This creates problems in multiple directions. Baba teachings are not being followed; margiis are being subjected to unjust fees; and lastly such actions reflect poorly on the many dedicated and honest wts in our Marga. Thus it is a triple-loss.
4. One key example is Ac Sharanananda Avt. who is involved in society building. Our Dadaji charges as much as 10,000 rupees for Indian couples and approximately 10,000 dollars for overseas margiis just to sign one simple piece of paper indicating that a marriage has been performed. Here we are not talking about court fees or any other expense. Dadaji is charging the families that much just to sign his name on the paper.
However Sharananandji is not alone in this endeavour. Other dadas charging big-time fees for marriage ceremonies include Madhuvratananda, Nabhatiitananda, Raganugananda, and Satyashreyananda etc.
5. In their heart of hearts, such Wts know it is wrong so they ward off any guilt with the justification that, “This is the easiest way to get some money from margiis.” This is their mentality.
6. The question of virtue and vice does not arise for these types of wts. Such workers feel that virtue and vice are for margiis or non-margiis. They console themselves by thinking that, “For me, as a wt, there is no question of virtue or vice; I am beyond all that.” More and more dadas are resorting to such justifications and negative thinking. Unfortunately that will only lead to their downfall and create problems in society.
ANOTHER DOGMA
7. Here in India there is a strong dogma that Ananda Marga ceremonies must be led by wts. That is the demand and feeling of many margiis of Delhi sector. All because of the prevailing Indian dogmatic belief: some have have an inherent preference for the saffron cloth – not margii cloth. For instance, even in those places where family acaryas are prevalent, the margiis think that it will be very auspicious if the ceremony is conducted by a wt. This dogma is reinforced by wts; that is unfortunate. Because an acarya is an acarya, irrespective of whether they are a wt of family margii.
WT’S AND MARRIAGE
8. Who can forget that our organisation lost so many good wts because they were overly involved in arranging others’ marriages. In that course they arranged a marriage for themselves as well. Still today this is going on.
9. The standard system is that wts should not be involved in marriage ceremonies and preparations etc. That is the work of our family acaryas. If any wt is doing this job then we must conclude that he has that type of weakness: To remain around the opposite sex. That may lead to his final decay. So best is for family acaryas to oversee and conduct all marriage ceremonies etc.
CONCLUSION
10. By the looks of it, these workers, who are charging big money to perform marriage ceremonies, are exploitative vipras - not sadvipras. Here again is Baba’s teaching where He exposes how the priest class exploits society. Actually in this below teaching Baba is mocking the dealings of such priests. Thus in Ananda Marga, we do not at all support this type of mentality where the priest class uses their status and position to take advantage of the people.
Baba says, “Even if one undergoes austerities, practises ritualistic fasting, undertakes pilgrimages, bathes in holy rivers and springs, worships a sacred fire or studies the scriptures, one will not be blessed unless one also offers sacerdotal fees to the vipras (priests). Only the vipras are authorized to recite even ordinary páncálii [long folk poems] about laokik gods and goddesses – and needless to say, a vipra would never visit anybody to recite such poems without remuneration…every intelligent person knows that a vipra (priests) will never act as an agent of God without some remuneration.” (Human Society – 2, The Vipra Age)
11. In the next letter, we will share how Wts from other factions, such as B group and EC, are also involved in charging for marriage ceremonies etc.
12. Finally, I invite you to write in with your comments and reflections on this topic, especially from those who also have been personally affected by this.
Namaskar,
Pradiip Deva
PRABHATA SAMGIITA
“An’ur vyatha’, etodine bujhale priyo, anuma’ne...” (Prabhata Samgiita 4593)
Purport:
Baba, O’ my Dearest, now by Your guessing You have understood the feeling of this unit being. How You do not have time to come close to me; rather, You remain sitting on the divine throne of Your devotees. On that throne which is studded with jewels. So You do not have time to look towards this little being.
People are demanding of me, “Why do you go on crying, and why do you call that Divine Entity who will not come and who will never pay heed to your calling.” People also tell me, “Don’t you know, His heart is very hard like a stone. He does not care. He knows all the scriptures, all the shlokas, all the mantras and bhajans, so there is no need to tell anything to Him. He will not pay heed to your call.”
In spite of what they say, I never get frustrated or feel hopeless. By Your grace I know that I must get You. I know for certain that at some point in this life of mine, up to my death even – I know that You will come to me. O’ Baba, I am hopeful that You will grace me by coming in the lotus of my heart, and that You will make my life successful...
