Baba
Note: This is in reply to the letter "Mandela & Forgiveness."
Namaskar,
To understand Mandela's story one should first understand Baba's teachings on forgiveness. Here we should remind ourselves of Baba's divine guidelines on this important yet often misunderstood point.
Baba says, "In collective life one has no right to forgive anyone; in individual life you can extend maximum forgiveness-- rather, the more forgiveness, the better. Forgiveness is something personal; it is not a collective matter. Suppose you are an inhabitant of India. If someone harms the collective life of India, you must not forgive them. Likewise, as you belong to the entire human race, you must not forgive anyone who harms humanity." (29 Nov 1970 DMC, Kolkata)
Here the critical piece is that no individual - like Mandela or anyone - has the right to forgive or pardon anyone who has harmed the entire country.
Here is another teaching where Baba warns us how forgiveness cannot be practices with those who have harmed humanity on the whole - the results will be disastrous.
"Ks'ama' vaeyas't'ik jiivan ke liye maha'n gun' hae.
Sa'muhik jiivan ke liye maha'n dos' hae.
Sa'muhik jiivan me bha'ratva'sii is dos' se grast haen.
Atah satark rahoge.
Yah dos' bahut khara'b dos' hae;
Sa'mu'hik jiivan men agar yah kiya' gaya'."
30 Dec '70, Patna, Samgrame Vaepariityam ('Opposite Stance in Battle') AV-28 (H)
Translation:
"In individual life forgiveness is a very good quality. In collective life it is very bad. Be aware, inhabitants of India are suffering from this defect in collective life. If it (forgiveness) is done in collective life, this defect is disastrous."
Next Baba points out how even great saints have made huge errors and grossly miscalculated this point of forgiveness, in which case the common people suffered more at the hands of the exploiters.
"He [Lord Mahaviira] placed too much emphasis on forgiveness and mercy. He taught people to forgive their worst enemies, even if they were as deadly as scorpions and snakes. As a result of this teaching, people lost the will to fight against the enemies of society." (PNS-16)
So for someone to revere Lord Mahaviira - the founder of the Jain religion - because he extended unconditional forgiveness to exploiters is pure foolishness. That type of forgiveness undermines the integrity and well-being of society. That is Baba's distinct guideline. So no one should praise or Mahaviira on this point.
Here again Baba critically warns us that forgiveness cannot and must not be extended to those who have harmed the greater humanity. No single individual has the right to pardon or forgive them. For example, no individual may forgive those who have manipulated and distorted Baba's discourses because those perpetrators have committed a crimes against humanity.
"Ks'ama', or forgiveness....What is forgiveness?...How should a virtuous person behave? If one is satisfied that the wrongdoer's habit has been rectified, one may pardon him. If someone is perpetrating atrocities on thousands of Ananda Margiis, however, one has no individual right to excuse the wrongdoer because that wrongdoer has harmed thousands of innocent people. But if a person commits atrocities on me alone, and if I am satisfied that his nature has been transformed, it would be proper for me as dharmika to show forgiveness. However, if his nature has not been rectified, my forgiveness may result in that person becoming even more of a reckless scoundrel and in such a case forgiveness would be considered as a sign of my weakness. This is the dharmik interpretation of ks'ama'." (AV-4)
In Carycarya, Baba states that those who prematurely forgive others - i.e. before those wrongdoers have truly rectified themselves - suffer from a defect in the mental realm. Such a weakness of mind leads to more harm to the social body.
"You may come to a temporary truce with a hypocrite, but do not forgive till his/her nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society." (CC-2, Society, pt #6)
Thus in these above guidelines Baba is instructing us that:
1) If society is harmed, no individual has the right to forgive the perpetrator(s). (Note: The next section addresses how collective forgiveness may be granted.)
2) A single person may only offer forgiveness in individual life- never in collective life. Even then, that forgiveness in individual life must be done under certain conditions: Only if the guilty party has fully rectified themselves.
3) Rectification is a pre-requisite for forgiveness. If the wrongdoer has not corrected their defective behavior and character then they cannot be forgiven.
4) Premature forgiveness results in further harm done to the society.
These are some of Baba's key points on forgiveness. Thus, forgiveness is one particular practice that can only be done under very limited circumstances. It is not something that can be handed out freely or done indiscriminately. Doing so will create more problems and lead to more injustices.
As discussed, no single individual - like Nelson Mandela - can forgive those who have harmed an entire country. The question then arises how or when can forgiveness be granted to those who have harmed humanity. Here is a hypothetical situation.
Suppose country A invaded country B and and committed heinous crimes against the people of country B. Later on, the leader of country B cannot single-handedly issue an apology to country A. Rather, the government of country B must hold a referendum: A country-wide vote where all those exploited by country A are educated about the crimes committed by country A and then given opportunity to cast a ballot in favour or against forgiving country B. If the vast majority, i.e. 75% of the exploited mass of country B, decides that country A has been rectified; and, 75% of the exploited mass votes to forgive country A, then forgiveness may be granted - otherwise not. Remember, no single individual can grant forgiveness for crimes against humanity.
Some sincere margiis get confused that Mandela of South Africa was a great and magnanimous man because he was willing to forgive and pardon those exploiters. But what Mandela has done is wholly against Baba's guideline; Mandela had no right to forgive those exploiters who so terribly abuse and harmed the common masses of South Africa.
Indeed, pardoning those exploiters is not the way - that is not indicative of a magnanimous mind. Rather, it is a cowardly act. Mandela had no right to forgive and pardon exploiters when they perpetrated terrible crimes against humanity by enslaving the blacks of South Africa into endless poverty.
Tragically, Mandela did the same mistake as Gandhi as they both forgave those who exploited and harmed their own people. Both betrayed their own people for the sake of political gain; both were cowardly and allowed the exploiters to continue their economic exploitation. Because of their cowardly approach, still today that exploitation is going on in their respective lands. Still the people are at the mercy of those very same exploitative methods.
Unfortunately some Ananda Margiis remain confused on this point.
Such persons like Mandela are hypocrites. They are revered as heroes but they are not great.
Until we educate the masses of the world about Ananda Marga ideology and this point of forgiveness, then cowards like Mandela will be worshiped as a hero, and the masses will be duped - thinking Mandela type of people to be great and magnanimous.
This is the unfortunate state of affairs. We must remove their darkness and preach Ananda Marga ideals: Never forgive demons for collective crimes against humanity. No single individual can pardon those who did collective harm. That can only be discussed and decided by the greater collective body of the exploited mass. what Mandela did was wrong, hypocritical, and deceitful. He forgave the exploiters and sold out on his own people.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyajiita
Here below are two letters initially posted about Mr Mandela. These letters detail How Mr Mandela "sold out" his own people by forgiving the exploiters and launching a political campaign instead of demanding economic justice.
Here below is a link to the letter which spurred this email reply.
MANDELA: CONFUSED ABOUT FORGIVENESS
Note: This is in reply to the letter "Mandela & Forgiveness."
Namaskar,
To understand Mandela's story one should first understand Baba's teachings on forgiveness. Here we should remind ourselves of Baba's divine guidelines on this important yet often misunderstood point.
NO RIGHT TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO HARMED THE COLLECTIVE
Baba says, "In collective life one has no right to forgive anyone; in individual life you can extend maximum forgiveness-- rather, the more forgiveness, the better. Forgiveness is something personal; it is not a collective matter. Suppose you are an inhabitant of India. If someone harms the collective life of India, you must not forgive them. Likewise, as you belong to the entire human race, you must not forgive anyone who harms humanity." (29 Nov 1970 DMC, Kolkata)
Here the critical piece is that no individual - like Mandela or anyone - has the right to forgive or pardon anyone who has harmed the entire country.
FORGIVENESS IN COLLECTIVE LIFE IS DISASTROUS
Here is another teaching where Baba warns us how forgiveness cannot be practices with those who have harmed humanity on the whole - the results will be disastrous.
"Ks'ama' vaeyas't'ik jiivan ke liye maha'n gun' hae.
Sa'muhik jiivan ke liye maha'n dos' hae.
Sa'muhik jiivan me bha'ratva'sii is dos' se grast haen.
Atah satark rahoge.
Yah dos' bahut khara'b dos' hae;
Sa'mu'hik jiivan men agar yah kiya' gaya'."
30 Dec '70, Patna, Samgrame Vaepariityam ('Opposite Stance in Battle') AV-28 (H)
Translation:
"In individual life forgiveness is a very good quality. In collective life it is very bad. Be aware, inhabitants of India are suffering from this defect in collective life. If it (forgiveness) is done in collective life, this defect is disastrous."
WRONG USE OF FORGIVENESS
MAKES PEOPLE VICTIMS OF MORE EXPLOITATION
MAKES PEOPLE VICTIMS OF MORE EXPLOITATION
Next Baba points out how even great saints have made huge errors and grossly miscalculated this point of forgiveness, in which case the common people suffered more at the hands of the exploiters.
"He [Lord Mahaviira] placed too much emphasis on forgiveness and mercy. He taught people to forgive their worst enemies, even if they were as deadly as scorpions and snakes. As a result of this teaching, people lost the will to fight against the enemies of society." (PNS-16)
So for someone to revere Lord Mahaviira - the founder of the Jain religion - because he extended unconditional forgiveness to exploiters is pure foolishness. That type of forgiveness undermines the integrity and well-being of society. That is Baba's distinct guideline. So no one should praise or Mahaviira on this point.
CAN ONLY FORGIVE IN INDIVIDUAL LIFE IF PERSON IS RECTIFIED
NO RIGHT TO FORGIVE FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
NO RIGHT TO FORGIVE FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
Here again Baba critically warns us that forgiveness cannot and must not be extended to those who have harmed the greater humanity. No single individual has the right to pardon or forgive them. For example, no individual may forgive those who have manipulated and distorted Baba's discourses because those perpetrators have committed a crimes against humanity.
"Ks'ama', or forgiveness....What is forgiveness?...How should a virtuous person behave? If one is satisfied that the wrongdoer's habit has been rectified, one may pardon him. If someone is perpetrating atrocities on thousands of Ananda Margiis, however, one has no individual right to excuse the wrongdoer because that wrongdoer has harmed thousands of innocent people. But if a person commits atrocities on me alone, and if I am satisfied that his nature has been transformed, it would be proper for me as dharmika to show forgiveness. However, if his nature has not been rectified, my forgiveness may result in that person becoming even more of a reckless scoundrel and in such a case forgiveness would be considered as a sign of my weakness. This is the dharmik interpretation of ks'ama'." (AV-4)
THOSE WITH A WEAK MIND FORGIVE PREMATURELY
In Carycarya, Baba states that those who prematurely forgive others - i.e. before those wrongdoers have truly rectified themselves - suffer from a defect in the mental realm. Such a weakness of mind leads to more harm to the social body.
"You may come to a temporary truce with a hypocrite, but do not forgive till his/her nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society." (CC-2, Society, pt #6)
SUMMARY WHEN, WHY, & HOW TO FORGIVE
Thus in these above guidelines Baba is instructing us that:
1) If society is harmed, no individual has the right to forgive the perpetrator(s). (Note: The next section addresses how collective forgiveness may be granted.)
2) A single person may only offer forgiveness in individual life- never in collective life. Even then, that forgiveness in individual life must be done under certain conditions: Only if the guilty party has fully rectified themselves.
3) Rectification is a pre-requisite for forgiveness. If the wrongdoer has not corrected their defective behavior and character then they cannot be forgiven.
4) Premature forgiveness results in further harm done to the society.
These are some of Baba's key points on forgiveness. Thus, forgiveness is one particular practice that can only be done under very limited circumstances. It is not something that can be handed out freely or done indiscriminately. Doing so will create more problems and lead to more injustices.
HOW FORGIVENESS MAY BE GRANTED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
As discussed, no single individual - like Nelson Mandela - can forgive those who have harmed an entire country. The question then arises how or when can forgiveness be granted to those who have harmed humanity. Here is a hypothetical situation.
Suppose country A invaded country B and and committed heinous crimes against the people of country B. Later on, the leader of country B cannot single-handedly issue an apology to country A. Rather, the government of country B must hold a referendum: A country-wide vote where all those exploited by country A are educated about the crimes committed by country A and then given opportunity to cast a ballot in favour or against forgiving country B. If the vast majority, i.e. 75% of the exploited mass of country B, decides that country A has been rectified; and, 75% of the exploited mass votes to forgive country A, then forgiveness may be granted - otherwise not. Remember, no single individual can grant forgiveness for crimes against humanity.
COWARDS ALWAYS MISUSE FORGIVENESS
NO COURAGE TO FIGHT
NO COURAGE TO FIGHT
Some sincere margiis get confused that Mandela of South Africa was a great and magnanimous man because he was willing to forgive and pardon those exploiters. But what Mandela has done is wholly against Baba's guideline; Mandela had no right to forgive those exploiters who so terribly abuse and harmed the common masses of South Africa.
Indeed, pardoning those exploiters is not the way - that is not indicative of a magnanimous mind. Rather, it is a cowardly act. Mandela had no right to forgive and pardon exploiters when they perpetrated terrible crimes against humanity by enslaving the blacks of South Africa into endless poverty.
Tragically, Mandela did the same mistake as Gandhi as they both forgave those who exploited and harmed their own people. Both betrayed their own people for the sake of political gain; both were cowardly and allowed the exploiters to continue their economic exploitation. Because of their cowardly approach, still today that exploitation is going on in their respective lands. Still the people are at the mercy of those very same exploitative methods.
Unfortunately some Ananda Margiis remain confused on this point.
Such persons like Mandela are hypocrites. They are revered as heroes but they are not great.
Until we educate the masses of the world about Ananda Marga ideology and this point of forgiveness, then cowards like Mandela will be worshiped as a hero, and the masses will be duped - thinking Mandela type of people to be great and magnanimous.
This is the unfortunate state of affairs. We must remove their darkness and preach Ananda Marga ideals: Never forgive demons for collective crimes against humanity. No single individual can pardon those who did collective harm. That can only be discussed and decided by the greater collective body of the exploited mass. what Mandela did was wrong, hypocritical, and deceitful. He forgave the exploiters and sold out on his own people.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyajiita
Note 1: LINKS TO EARLIER POSTED LETTERS ON MANDELA
Here below are two letters initially posted about Mr Mandela. These letters detail How Mr Mandela "sold out" his own people by forgiving the exploiters and launching a political campaign instead of demanding economic justice.
#1:http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/12/mandela-messiah-of-poor-or-became.html
#2:http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/12/mandela-messiah-of-poor-or-puppet-of.html
#2:http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/12/mandela-messiah-of-poor-or-puppet-of.html
Note 2: LINK TO THE LETTER "MANDELA & FORGIVENESS"
Here below is a link to the letter which spurred this email reply.
