Baba is Not One, But Three

From: "Shantatma Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba is Not One, But Three
Date: Mon 18 Apr 2011 08:27:55

Baba

                         == BABA IS NOT ONE, BUT THREE ==

Namaskar,
These days one negative trend has started. Some are going to the jagrti thinking that there are three Babas. They do sastuanga pranam separately to each one and ask for boons.


                                 WHERE ARE THOSE THREE BABAS

First they go to the dharmacakra hall and see Baba #1 and do sastuanga pranam to the Baba who resides only on the puja table.

Then they go to the pot of holy ashes and see Baba #2 who resides only in those ashes and do sastuanga pranam and ask for some worldly blessing from that #2 Baba.

Later on they go to Baba #3 who resides only in Baba's room and do sastuanga pranam to that Baba.

This is the way that some people think:
(a) They feel there is one Baba who resides permanently in the DC hall, so one must go to the puja table in the DC hall and do sastaunga pranam to Baba #1. 
(b) And then there is the Baba who resides inside the pot of holy ashes. This Baba never comes out from that pot so one must go very close to that pot and offer their sastaunga pranam to Baba #2.
(c) Finally they think there is another Baba in the bedroom who never comes out. He remains there always. So one must go to the bedroom / Baba's room and pay salutations to Baba #3.

This is way one can pay respect to all three Babas. Otherwise they feel it is not complete.

So if someone does not get the opportunity to see one of the Baba's because the room is locked etc, then they are saddened. They feel that one Baba remains unaddressed and they will be unhappy.


                           DOGMA OF HINDUISM IS GROWING IN AM:

                        EACH BABA GRANTS DIFFERENT BOONS

So the polytheistic, multi-god phenomena which is a widespread dogma of Hinduism is now creeping into AM.

Such worshipers do not have any discomfort with what is happening, rather they appreciate that Baba is three now. They think one must please and salute each Baba to get His grace.

In the next phase they will delineate which Baba offers which boon. For instance:
(a) The Baba #1 who resides in DC hall grants the power of intellect.
(b) The Baba #2 who resides in the ashes grants the boon of worldly wealth and money. (c) The Baba #3 who resides in Baba's room / bedroom grants good health + the solutions to all other problems.

In that way, pilgrims choose and select which Baba they will worship depending upon which problem is most acute in their life. Accordingly, they will go and visit the corresponding Baba: Baba #1, Baba #2, or Baba #3.

This type of bizarre outcome is unfolding and now our duty is to save the situation.

Tragically, this is the way the dogma of a polytheistic, multi-god approach has come into AM. This type of dogma is getting propagated.


                                   GIVES MORE POWER TO TOP WTS                                                
Those dogmatic in-charges and avadhutas appreciate this 3-Baba dogma because by this way their own importance is enhanced. Since those Dadas control the jagrtis and have the lock and key to the various rooms etc, their status has been raised. In order to see all three Babas, margiis have to please such Dadas by offering gifts, respect etc.

In so many places in India and in overseas countries this dogma is becoming more popular in our Ananda Marga. Indeed this is most unfortunate; it is a shame.


                                        GOOD SADHAKAS ATTACKED

There is a growing backlash that sadhakas face as well. Wherever this dogma has taken root, then good sadhakas who do not appreciate this 3-Baba dogma get blamed and labeled as crude and devotion-less. That is another unfortunate outcome.

In that case, in order to keep their prestige and because of mounting fear & social pressure, everyone wants to salute Baba #1, #2, & #3 - whether they like it or not. This is the way things are going.


                                               BABA'S GUIDELINE

To understand how harmful all this is for one's spiritual progress, we have to consider Baba's below teaching. In the following quote, Baba is guiding us that God is one. Wherever you are He resides in your heart He never leaves you.

Baba says, "The second type of viveka paiṋcaka is dvaetádvaeta viveka. Through dvaetádvaeta viveka one gains the capacity to analyse whether the eternal entity is one or more than one and come to a conclusion accordingly (dvaeta means dualistic and advaeta means non-dualistic). There cannot remain any svagata, svajátiiya and vijátiiya differentiation in the entity which is beyond time, space and person. So it is not possible for the Eternal Entity to be more than one. Various beliefs about the so-called gods – that one god defeated another in battle, but was later harmed enormously by his adversary’s wrathful vengeance; that a certain god spreads or cures a certain disease; and that another god distributes wealth or learning – are contrary to Dvaetádvaeta Viveka. In spiritual practice nityánitya viveka is not enough, Dvaetádvaeta viveka is also necessary. For success in spiritual practice both nityánitya viveka and dvaetádvaeta viveka are indispensable. They enable people to realize that all the objects bound by time, space and individuality are transient while the Entity beyond the periphery of time, space and individuality is permanent; It is one without a second." (Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 7)

Clearly then, in our AM spiritual approach, God is one. That is Baba's distinct teaching. So this 3-Baba ritual is a clear-cut contravention of our AM ideals. Baba is one.


                                               BABA'S BLESSING

As bhaktas we must never forget Baba's divine teaching that He resides in guha, core of the mind.

Baba says, "One has to search for Him in one’s guhá. Guhá has a couple of meanings – “cave”, and the “I”. Here the second meaning applies. One has to search for Him in one’s “I”. The one who is inside your “I” is you yourself. Search for your self – you will find Him. As long as the [real] you is there, the Lord is also there." (Ananda Vacanamrtam-23)

Thus, that singular divine Entity resides in the inner recesses of one's own mind. That is Baba's divine teaching. Parama Purusa resides within. Baba is within the mind.

So the three-Baba dogma that is unfolding today is nothing but a black spot on the pure spirituality of Ananda Marga. We must oppose this dogma and uphold Baba's divine stance: That He resides in your mind.

Namaskar,
Shantatma


Note 1:                          SHORTCUT WAY IS EASIER

Generally human beings like such types of shortcuts that is why this 3-Baba dogma is growing. Sixteen Points is hard to follow and yama and niyama is also difficult. This 3-Baba dogma makes it "easier" to get Baba since He is divided into three. It is encouraged by our priests.


Note 2:                 HISTORICAL VALUE VS RELIGIOUS DOGMA

Valuing a place for its historical significance is totally different from going there and paying salutations and thinking that God is limited to that spot. When we visit the Taj Mahal we go for historical reasons not for any other reason. We do not think that Baba is stuck inside the Taj Mahal etc. The proof being that we do not bring garlands and do sastaunga pranam to Him there and ask for boons. Likewise when visiting the jagrti we should not think that Baba is limited or confined to the DC hall, a pot of ashes, or Baba's room etc. Baba resides in the mind. One can pay their salutations to Baba anywhere and everywhere because Baba resides within. There should not be any confusion about this.


                                       PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Ogo prabhu tava la'gi ga'ntha' ma'la' shuka'ye ja'y..." (P.S. 1935)

Purport:

Baba, Oh my Prabhu, the garland which I prepared for You is gradually getting dry and wilted. Day by day my longing for You is increasing. My waiting for You has been in vain. Neither did You come, nor did You accept my garland. These days even the red sun is unpleasant for me - and it was very blissful for me in earlier times. But now it's brilliance is no longer shining for me. Passing the days in longing for You, my heart is restless. Everything is unpleasant for me these days. Even the gentle sweet breeze is no longer alluring  for me. Due to my mind's restless state, my mental darkness has become more deep and more dense. Indeed in my mind, the blackness which was present increased. Day and night is passing this way, in Your longing. Baba, I do not mind if I cannot hold You. Also I do not mind if You do not look towards me with Your sweet, loving smile. One thing You can do though - since I am very low, please grace me. By Your ahetuki krpa, come close to me. Baba, in Your absence, everything in my life has lost its charm. My existence has become totally dry. Time is passing like this. Baba, please grace me and give me Your darshan...
                               
***************************************************                                              
                                                  Remedy

Baba says, "On imbibing cosmic ideation all kinds of ailments will be cured." (PNS-8, p.19)
             ***************************************************

Our "Holy Lands"

From: Mandal.Virendra@bharata.net...
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Our "Holy Lands"
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:41:44 +0530

Baba

=== OUR "HOLY LANDS" ===

Namaskar,
Over the last twenty years, the stories and incidents have come again
and again.

Of course, most margiis understand that Baba resides in their heart.

Unfortunately, various Dadas has been involved in turning buidlings
like the Memorials in Kolkata and Ananda Nagar & Baba's Quarter
in Tiljala and Jamalpur, into "holy places". We all know their
motivations behind this: money, prestige, and control etc

Yet such types of memorials used as tiirtha sites or "holy lands"
run 100% contrary to Baba's teachings. Devotion starts with the
idea that Parama Purusa is with you, inside. And the defective "holy
land" mentality dictates that you have to go somewhere to find God
and get His grace.

Over the years some in our Marga have been affected by the "holy land"
propaganda of some Dadas. Here below are their stories followed by Baba's
dharmic teachings which dispel the holy land dogma.


                      PERSONAL STORIES

Basically every morning from 8am to 11 am there was a long queue of
innocent margiis and Wts waiting to enter the Baba's Quarters in order to
get His blessing. Means they were holding garlands in their hand thinking
that it is mostly meaningful to garland the photo in the Baba's Quarter--
and not any place else like on the Pandal etc. And while on line they
talking again and again how they were going "to see Baba in His room".

So simple sadhakas were giving more importance to Baba's room as if that
only places like His room, Memorial, Jamalpur, Bankipur Jail etc-- as if
those are the only places where sadhakas can get His blessing and have His
divine communication.

I even heard one wife telling her husband that when they get inside then
they must not forget to ask one boon of Baba: That He should find one
suitable match for their daughter-- because she is of the marriageable age
and it is a tough job to find a husband. So they were waiting on line to
request this of Baba.

And others who had already been through the line or did so on previous days
were moving here and there trying to convince others that they must go
inside to get Baba's blessing-- otherwise they would miss out.

And still others were proclaiming how fortunate they were to garland the
photo in the Baba's Quarter or go to the tomb / Memorial because that is
the sanctified holy place and now surely they will get success. And like
that the scene was going on.

Thus it was more than a little tragic because here in our AM we believe
that God is everywhere-- including inside our hearts. Yet here at these
so called holy sites, innocent and simple margiis were waiting on line in hopes
of seeing Baba in some external venue, i.e in that Baba Quarter, Memorial etc.
As if that is the exclusive place where they can convey their message to Baba
and get His grace.

And even those not initially attracted to do like this got convinced by
various persons who were actively propagandizing that going into the Baba's
Quarter in places like Ananda Nagar etc is the best opportunity to see
Baba. Otherwise how can one do.


                         SOME REVIEW

In our AMPS society we have turned Baba's room, Tiljala Memorial, Patna
Jail, and many such places, and now some are telling this Tiger's grave in
Jamalpur as well, into something "extra" divine. We say it is the place of
very special attention where Baba'spresence is much more than other places.
Obviously this very preaching goes against the fundamentals of dharma shastra
where it is taught that Baba isever-present everywhere beyond time, space and person.

In this following Baba's quote it is clear.

Baba says, "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 p.23)

Here, in the case of our AMPS society, 'Benares' means Ananda Nagar,
Memorial, Jamalpur, Patna Jail, Baba's quarters etc..

Before saying more about our Ananda Marga, in this regard so many examples
of history can be given.


              DOGMATIC WAYS OF BUDDHA'S FOLLOWERS

Take the example of Lord Buddha. Buddha got enlightenment through his deep
meditation but nowadays in place of doing meditation Buddhist monks or
followers mostly do idol worship of Lord Buddha.

Interestingly enough, the statue of Lord Buddha that those disciples
worship, the statue itself is in a meditative pose. And that gives the
sense that Lord Buddha is doing sadhana. But Buddha's followers do not
bother to think about that aspect-- sadhana. In place of sadhana they
created their own rituals and started worshipping that very idol by
lighting lamps etc. Lord Buddha's teachings got diluted and polluted by
Buddhists monks and followers. This is a well-known historical fact.

All around the globe where Buddhism is propagated one can find huge idols.
In the name of the propagation of Buddha's teachings Buddhists did only this:
Created huge, very tall high idols. Some 12 years back in Afghanistan the
negative Taliban regime destroyed countless Buddha statues including the
largest existing one which had been carved into a mountainside. That was
not at all dharmic-- rather destructive & against cultural legacy. And I
raise that issue here only in so far that Buddha's statues were made around
the globe.

So the point is that Lord Buddha taught about meditation, but instead his
dogmatic disciples started their own dogma. In his practical life Buddha
did meditation. But his followers never cared about this teaching, or
rarely so.


                 WHAT DISCIPLES OF KABIR DAS DID

In the case of Kabir Dasji, we see same story. So many places Baba cited Saint
Kabir's name. Saint Kabir never believed in or propagated idol worship but
now his followers believe only in the idol of Saint Kabir. They do not
believe in any other idol. But at the same time they are engaged in idol
worship of Saint Kabir.

What a peculiar history has been made. That very theory of idol worship which
Saint Kabir strongly opposed, his chief disciples started following that
theory after his passing.


                    JAINISM AND IDOL WORSHIP

See also in the case of the propounder of the Jain religion: Lord
Mahaviira. Lord Mahaviira also got realisation through deep meditation, but
immediately after his physical departure  many dogmas were started. And now
his disciples-- i.e.  followers of the Jain religion-- do worship to the
idol of Lord Mahaviira. They do not care about any type of meditation.

So this is the short history. And if you give any example then hundreds of
other examples can be enlisted. But the whole idea is that what guru
taught, immediately after his passing, then his senior disciples
ruined everything. And those disciples started practising various types of
negative things which their guru himself did not like.


                SOME DISCIPLES IMPOSE THIS THING

So here the central idea is that the chief disciples are the cause of
ruination of their Guru's teaching and in this way those disciples mislead
the entire society.


                   OUR ANANDA MARGA SOCIETY

Unfortunately, it looks like the same style of degeneration is going on in
AMPS society these days. Baba's teachings about the universal presence of
Parama Purusa have gotten tainted by the propaganda of the importance of
Baba's room etc. Baba has been limited to that particular place.

So knowingly or unknowingly simple margii sadhakas are taught to believe
that Baba's presence is more in those special places like Baba's room,
Memorial etc than in other places.

It seems, certain Wts & common margiis do not like to believe Baba's below
Prabhat Samgiita. Or they like to remain forgetful of this very teaching.


                       PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Ja'ni more ghire a'cha ca'ri dha're, tabu khunje khunje pa'rishra'nt..."
{1027}

The inner meaning: Oh Baba I know that You are surrounding me in all the
directions even then I am searching desperately. Even then with my
stupidity I go on searching. And I am exhausted by this search. Searching
from one Baba's quarter to another Baba's quarter with a garland and fruits
in my hand. From Kolkata Memorial to Ananda Nagar to Jamalpur to Patna Jail
then back to Baba's quarter and so many places.

Here also I want to share one other interesting story which I heard.


                   STORY OF LORD SHIVA'S FOLLOWERS

Similar scene is available when you go to visit various religious temples.
There, such a huge long queue of devotees are waiting to go inside to see
the idol of a certain deity. As I think you know, this thing is very common
in India. So many renowned temples are there in India.

For example there is Lord Shiva temple in Deogar where devotees of the
Hindu religion take the water of the Ganges which is 80 miles away. That
place is known as Sultan Ganj and that is where they start their dogmatic
holy journey.

And they walk to the temple. Or those who are called great devotees they do
one marathon run. And some those who are still greater devotees they start
their journey several weeks ahead of time and in prostrating position they
move: Lying down in prostration, getting up, and then lying down in prostration.
In that manner they journey to the temple.

By this way religious followers of various grades reach to temple during
certain fixed days of tiirtha (pilgrimage) program which is allotted
beforehand. And there also a huge crowd pours the water on the head of Lord
Shiva. And by that they think that Lord Shiva will grant them various types
of boons. And that Lord Shiva will also grant them relief from all the sins
they committed.

Such followers think that leading their whole life in a virtuous manner and
refraining oneself from sin is too difficult. So once in a year on certain
occasions of holy dates they foolishly think that if one does penance for a
certain limited period then the heavy load of one's life sins get washed
away. So this is working as a quick fix type.

In place of doing sadhana, these  religious believers are engaged in
external paraphernalia thus wasting their time, money, and energy.

This example shows that in that Deogar temple, a crowd of devotees gathers
in order to to see Lord Shiva externally and ask boons of Shiva. These
Hindu devotees go to see Lord Shiva in Deogar.


                        SEARCH GOD WITHIN

But Baba does not like this that is why Baba says that we should search God
within, not without.

BABA says:

            "Tiles'u taelam' dadhiniiva sarpira'pah..."

"Do you know how He is implanted in everything? Just as oil remains in the
sesame (Til). But if you look at the sesame superficially, you will see
only sesame; churn it and the oil will come out. He abides in everything,
but you cannot see Him, if you look at it superficially. Do the Sa'dhana' -
meditate churn any object or entity by meditation and He will appear." (SS
part IV)

Generally the common public searches God externally and they inspire
others, friends, relatives, and their known people also to move from this
place to that place to search Parama Purusa outside, externally. And by
that way it disturbs the whole spiritual enhancement of common innocent
people. When really devotion, the inner link with Parama Purusa is the
perennial source of inspiration.

In our Marga, we are to pay no attention and give no credence to the
existence of any such "holy land", whether it be Memorial, Jamalpur,
Baba's Quarter, Tiljala or any other place.

Baba resides in our heart and He wants that we should find Him there
through our devotional longing and meditation.


                      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.

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 etc.

Namaskar,
Virendra


Note 1:      WHAT THOSE DOGMATIC WORSHIPERS DO

Prostrating position = Religious worshipers of Lord Shiva do
sastaunga pranam on the muddy road and extend their hand and place one
stone. And then they get up and move one step and then just before the
stone they again prostrate and in that lying position they go another 5 feet and put
that stone / rock. By this very slow torturous process they cross 80 miles.
It takes several weeks. This they do to please Lord Shiva. Of course in our
AM such penance is not accepted rather it is treated negatively.


Note 2:            HE IS WITH HIS DEVOTEES

Baba says, "He is everywhere, but that vibration originates from
that place where His nucleus is. He seats that nucleus at that place where
devotees sing His name. What can be a better place than that." (AV)

Baba says, "The secret of a devotee’s heart is known to Parama Puruśa.
In Jamalpur I told you that Parama Puruśa does not reside in Vaekuńt́ha
[the mythological abode of Lord Viśńu], nor on the throne, nor in the heart
of the dry yogi. He actually resides in the heart of a devotee. A devotee
is always bound to think of Parama Puruśa at heart, because their mutual
relation is one of love and devotion. That is why Parama Puruśa clearly
proclaims, Madbhaktáh yatra gáyanti tatra tiśt́hámi Nárada – that is,
“I reside, O Nárada, wherever my devotees are singing.”" (26 October 1979
DMC, Gaddopur)





"Tiirthe tiirthe ghuriya' kla'nt haye esechi dva're..."   (4112)

Purport:

  Baba in search of You, after wandering around the globe in various holy
lands, I am completely tired; and in that state now I have reached to Your
alter. Baba, be gracious, please do not turn Your face away; and please do
not become unhappy,  angry, or furious on me. Please open the door and
allow me to come inside. 
   Baba, look towards me; my whole body is completely tired and exhausted. My
feet are full of dust. Wandering around in the sun my whole body is
sweating. I am completely tired and exhausted. 
   By Your grace now I feel in my heart and repent how my whole life got
wasted. I was tied up in the noose of dogma. Just I was performing various
rituals, wandering in holy lands, moving from one tiirtha to another
tiirtha, from one Baba's Quarter to another Baba's Quarter, in search of
You. By Your grace now I understand that You are hiding sitting in my
heart-- smiling.  
   Baba, I am surrendering to You. Please accept me as Yours. Do not leave
me to wander to this and that dogma-- involved in one or another ritual.
The path which I was crossing through, that path is dark & full of
hopelessness. I wasted a lot of money, time, and energy but nothing was
gained. And now I am too tired. I want Your divine direction. 
   In spite of moving on the negative path, by Your grace in the garden of
my mind some flowers have bloomed for You. I want to offer those flowers at
Your lotus feet. Now the creepers of hope are swinging and the feeling is
coming that You will allow me. 
   By Your grace, Baba You have already given me the longing for You in my
heart. So now please allow me to come close to You to touch Your feet.
Baba, I am Yours and You are mine. I am surrendering everything to You.
Please accept me...

    *********************************************
                    Best and Worst
            
Baba says, "Human beings come into this world and attend to so many
duties...It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all the
bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest and the bond of moha [blind
attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humans will have to break the
bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty." (NKS,'97 Edn, p.111)
    *********************************************

Your Jagrti is in Queue to be Sold: Part 1

From: "A. Roy" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Your Jagrti is in Queue to be Sold: Part 1 Date: Sat Oct 2 2010, 06:05 +0530 Baba "Eso eso prabhu mor mana'ne..." (P.S. 4941) Purport: O' Lord, please come in my ideation, I am always looking towards the path of Your divine arrival. Baba, I do not want prestige, money, wealth, boon or any sorts of mundane gifts. I only want Your compassion. So please appear in my dhyana and bless me with Your sweet smile. Baba, ages have passed, so much time has gone by. So many dawns and evenings have come and gone-- crying in Your longing. My eyes are floating in the tears of yearning for You. Baba, please come in my contemplation, ideation, meditation and dhyana...

== YOUR JAGRTI IS IN QUEUE TO BE SOLD: PART 1 == ~ ANANDA MARGA JAGRTI SELLERS ARE MAHAPATAKIIS ~

Note: You must read this as this contains local news of your area. Namaskar, There are many places where our Ananda Marga jagrtis, Baba Quarters, and land holdings are being sold and in queue to be sold. Let us discuss and examine the pros and cons of this approach - and give some news as well.

HOW WE ACQUIRE LAND

In general, our Marga gets new land parcels in these following ways: a. Donation of land by margiis; b. Donation of land by non-margiis; c. Donation of land by government; d. Financial donation by margiis for purchasing land; e. Financial donation by non-margiis for purchasing land; and, f. Land capture, i.e. in certain parts of the world if an organisation starts using unused government land for their social service work, then the government often passes ownership of that land to that organisation. This happens in India and elsewhere too.

NOT MEANT TO BE SOLD

In all these cases, there is a clear-cut goal and alloted purpose for the land; the land was not just meant to be sold. Irrespective of the way in which the organisation gets that land, donors feel that the land they are donating should be used for social service projects. That is their motive for donating the land. Baba says, "Indirect virtue is acquired when one’s service has a recurring effect, such as service to the society, planting trees, etc. If banyan trees are planted beside a hot and dusty road they will continue to give shelter to weary travellers for one thousand to two thousand years. Virtue acquired in this way is indirect virtue." (Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 8) The general feeling is that people want to be involved in a social service project that is of a recurring nature, like land donation - in order to get virtue. Non-margiis often do like this.The person who donated the land cannot continue to get virtue if the land they donated gets sold. Indeed that is betrayal. So they want pious social service work to be done on that land - on an ongoing basis. By this way they will get virtue. Indeed even mahapatakiis (great sinners) may get moksa by this way. Baba has written that if even the worst sinner becomes involved in recurring welfare activities, then all their bad samskaras can be requited. So giving land for social service work falls in that type of good deed of recurring nature. In contrast, if at the time of donation they think that the land they are donating will be sold as part of a business transaction then they will not donate it in the first place. They are giving the land not for a business transaction but for social service.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

Local margiis pay money to register donated land. In India there is a registration fee and in other countries there is a tax. In both cases, local margiis carefully save money from their limited family budget to donate towards this registration cost. In our Marga, it is not the ultra-rich who donate land, but rather it is hard-working common folk who donate land. And they face real hardship in order to get the land registered. In India, the registry fee is 8% of the total cost of the land. That is a high price to pay. But margiis and sympathizers will pay it because they wish to do social service. However, if they have any doubt that the land will be sold or used as part of a business scheme, then they will never undergo such financial hardship to register and donate land.

SENTIMENTAL ATTACHMENT TO LAND

Land donors, be they margiis or sympathizers, are always very attached to the land which they are giving - it is like a part of their heart. Baba says the following about their deep attachment to land. Baba says, "Among all the attachments human beings suffer from, attachment to land is one of the strongest. Out of sympathy farmers can donate large amounts of produce without hesitation, but they will feel tremendous pain if they are asked to donate a few square metres of land. If they have to donate land to somebody, farmers feel that their ribs will break because of the pain in their hearts. Those who donate land do so for three reasons – to save the major part of their land, for a high humanitarian cause or out of spiritual inspiration." (Prout Nutshell-14, "Cooperative Production") Thus even when margiis & sympathizers donate land to our Marga they do not do so for someone to sell that land and then misuse the money - like some of our Dadas do. Rather people donate land with a high ideal in mind - to serve humanity. That is what motivates them to give that which they so greatly treasure. They donate the land because it is for Ba'ba's mission. They donate their land with the great hope that this will be useful for Ananda Marga social service work and that their offering of land will please Baba. Where there is no land donor, margiis save money for months & year to buy a piece of land with that same motive and hope.

LOCAL BODIES COVER THE COST

In any place where we have land, jagrti or a social service project then, especially in India, that land or project is secured by local help - margiis & non-margiis. These properties are not constructed or purchased with monetary help from Centre. The local bodies pay everything. It is not like Christian missionaries where local people pay nothing and their global national or global church headquarters or governing boards pay everything. That is the way the Christian church operates in poorer countries. So, for instance, in Zimbabwe the local people may not mind if their church land is sold because they were not involved in acquiring land in the first place. But that is not the way it works in Ananda Marga. In AM, in most circumstances Centre does not give one penny for such locally donated properties, i.e. for smaller projects. Rather margiis and non-margiis are emotionally and financially involved with that property. Those sitting distance have no idea how emotionally attached the local people are to that land. Indeed, Centre has no role. Local margiis and local posted Wts are the ones who make every effort for the land and development thereof. All land registration is done in the name of the General Secretary just because of the organizational system; it does not mean that GS Dada has any role in purchasing the land.

IT WILL RUIN OUR REPUTATION

Any place where donated land is sold makes for one negative trend of recurring nature. For instance, if a jagrti is sold as a business maneuver then the surrounding population will always think that margiis are fake and have nothing to do with social service. The locals will think that, "We donated the land and they sold it and misused the money." That gives one negative trend where in future no one will want to give land to AM as they will have read in the newspaper or heard stories that we are not really service mined. People will make jokes and ridicule us that, "They sold donated land and kept the money. Never trust these people." These types of stories will get published by enemies. This will create harm - not just in that place, but all over. Word will spread how, "I have seen where I donated money and now that land is sold and the money is gone. these are fake people do not trust them." Plus future historians will investigate and report how Ananda Margiis wrongly sold donated lands. They will dig up old newspapers and get the facts how a jagrti was donated by Mr So and So and inaugurated on such and such date. But they will see how that jagrti is now gone having been sold to some entrepreneur or capitalist for their business ventures. All this and more such historians will publish this in their book. By seeing all this new persons will not like to join they will think we are preaching and teaching lofty ideals but inside we are hollow. Miscues and shady land dealings will damage the image of AM in a recurring way for a long time to come. And indeed that is what we see happening right now. This will deter and scare off future philanthropic donors. You will never hear in India how a church, mosque or temple is sold. That is why Baba warns us against those Dadas involved in selling off AM land as it will have an ongoing, recurring negative effect. Baba says, "This maha'pa'taka is also atipa'taka, but the difference is that its effect is of recurring nature. Suppose a corrupt businessman uses papaya seeds [in the black pepper] – he invents a [new kind] of adulteration – papaya seeds. Now other businessmen will learn it from him, and the process will go on in recurring nature. So the particular businessman who invented this art is a maha'pa'takii. That is, its effect will be of recurring nature. It will go on forever." (Ananda Vacanamrtam-31, "Sinners and Their Rectification") So those selling AM land fall in maha'pa'takii group because after them some other Dadas will follow their negative example and sell more land and property etc. Furthermore, any organisation that thinks it will grow and last into the future then they will keep all their holdings thinking that people will come and join and run those projects etc. Only those organisations that are on their deathbed sell their land and properties. The entire public understands this. It is just like if a monarchy is in disrepair or if a rich business family is losing its stature then they will sell off their assets because they have no other means. And in that way they will ultimately sell off everything. So selling land has serious repercussions. It is a layered, complex scenario that bleeds in so many ways with unexpected consequences for a long time to come. What is going on now in AM - this shrinking and destruction - was going on in Prabash Tiirtha, back in the days of the Vrishni house after Lord Krsna left. The drunken Yadava dynasty destroyed themselves. That is what is going on now in AM, unfortunately. We should not watch helplessly.

OUR BOUNDEN DUTY

That is why it is the duty of each and every margii, wt, acarya, and all those who love Baba to not allow AM land, property and jagrtis to be sold. That will create a negative situation for long time to come. Other greedy and manipulative people will learn what certain Dadas are doing and will cheat more.

TRUE STORY FROM BETTIAH

Here is one trust story. In Bettiah, one non-margii donated land near a railway station, and the land was vacant and unused for long time. So the donor filed one court case to get it back because the land was not used for the stated purpose. His grandchildren demanded it back. Attorneys told local margiis and Wts to start something otherwise "you will lose the land." Immediately they started a children's home there and ultimately, that became our Didi's jagrti.

THEY WATCH TO SEE

From the above story we can easily understand that those who donate land keep sharp eyes to ensure that their land is properly used. They write this in their memoirs and family stories. Countless non-margiis have donated land and buildings thinking that their own personal family will get ongoing virtue for the philanthropic work happening on that land. Selling it then is betrayal and leads to mistrust. And indeed those who gave the land will follow-up and find out what is going on. In turn, local margiis will be shamed; it will be difficult to face the public. Plus when people find one fault with us then they will blame Baba as well. For all these reasons and more this is a slippery slope and going in a negative direction. For any reason we should never do such heinous work.

NEGATIVE SAMSKARA

We have seen that if anyone starts selling off their estate they become a beggar. So many times this happens. Likewise if any organisation sells off their assets and properties, they get reduced to zero. That is why any publicly supported organisation will never sell their property. Even if it is unused for long time they will always keep it. In India there are hundreds of thousands of churches and mosques that are unused but they do not sell them as they think times will change and they will recruit someone to manage those buildings. Unfortunately, now in AM some Dadas are selling our active jagrtis and schools. They are selling such properties to raise money for their group clash and court cases. This is the sinful injustice that is going on. Such Dadas try to convince margiis of their fateful logic but they themselves cannot see truth - they cannot see their sins - because their mind is in rasatala. Baba says, "The seventh hell is rasa'tala, the very crudest of all stages of existence. Obviously in that state human beings are no longer human beings: their minds, their intellects are reduced to extreme crudity, a stage of no return. Similarly when people start becoming degraded, a stage comes when they can no longer elevate themselves; rasa'tala is such a state." (AMIWL-11)

THE ROLE OF DEVOTION

With deep devotion and strong emotion, margiis donate land to Baba so in that way AMPS is the worldly custodian of land, but is not the owner. Margiis feel that everything belongs to Parama Purusa. Indeed, Ba'ba' is the real owner because devotees gave to Baba.

MORE ARTICLES COMING

In the next we will the name various lands & jagrtis that are in process of getting sold. If you have news about what is happening in your area, please tell. In this atmosphere it is not clear which jagrti will be sold next - anything can happen. Many are in use are under contract to be sold. It is not just that empty or unused buildings are sold. So beware. Remember we are dealing with groupists who are chasing after the power and control for their faction. They are veritable politicians; we cannot run away from this situation. We must be vigilant. Baba says, "For the selfish and hypocrites, politics is the best instrument to achieve their selfish ends; hence when dealing in politics proceed very cautiously and with sharp eyes all around." (Caryacarya-2) Namaskar, Amoghasiddhi

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This following example of Baba gives this direction: That we should give first priority to honoring those whom nobody gives honor. Baba says, "To those who think for all... Who offer others seats of honour and respect... Who venerate others, instead of waiting to be venerated-- To them I dedicate this book with humble esteem, and deepest salutations."

(NHLOI, Dedication) ****************************************