Tiljala sin poisoning everywhere
Namaskar,
Here
is one key pitfall / dogma to be aware of when performing a shra’ddha
ceremony / death ceremony. But first let us review the real import of
our AM shra'ddha ceremony as per Caryacarya. Here below Baba clearly
states that it is forbidden to serve food at a shra'ddha ceremony.
Ananda
Marga Caryacarya states, “Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a
memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to
be taken.” (1)
Unfortunately,
now, by copying the MPD dogma, various margiis are serving food at
shra'ddha ceremonies to poor villagers etc. But this food is inedible,
and it is sinful to engage in this type of contravention of Caryacarya.
In sum: Never serve any food to anyone at a shra'ddha ceremony.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Ananda
Marga ideology states, “So what can we do? We can say “O Parama Puruśa,
while that man was with us we tried our best to do whatever we could
do. But now they are beyond our scope, they are beyond our jurisdiction,
so please do take care of them.” This much of a request can be made by
us, and nothing more than that. And the Ananda Marga shra'ddha is just
like that. Here we require no edibles, no clothes or anything else. We
offer our shraddhá, and we do nothing else, and we can do nothing else.”
(2)
Following Tiljala MPD dogma of distributing food & blankets etc
During
the death ceremony and dogmatic annual death ceremony, some are
distributing food and blankets to villagers etc just as Tiljala does
during their annual MPD gathering. Look what recently happened in Bokaro
at a recent shra'ddha ceremony:
So
this recent incident of food and blanket distribution at a death /
shra'ddha ceremony is a direct result of copying the dogma that is done
each year at MPD. Naturally, this should be strictly avoided as it is a
direct contravention of AM teachings.
Sadly
though, this has become a growing trend. Some confused Wts and margiis
follow the “October dogma” that happens each year in Kolkata of
distributing food, blankets, and clothing. They think that by following
this Tiljala MPD dogma of food, clothing, and blanket distribution with
their own deceased family member, then their deceased loved one will
acquire virtue. If anyone reads Caryacarya (AM social code) they will
see that Caryacarya clearly forbids all these dogmas like food and
blanket distribution at shra'ddha / death ceremonies etc. Unfortunately,
this is just one more of the many dogmas they are inculcating after
seeing that ritual performed each year in October at the Tiljala
compound.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
More about case incident: food & blankets to heaven
These
days several dogmatic trends have slipped into our AMPS shra'ddha
(death) ceremonies by copying the dogmas that occur annually in Tiljala,
including doing kiirtana facing the photo of the deceased among others.
But here we are focusing on the mass distribution of blankets and
clothing - as well as food distribution (narayan seva) - that is done.
Confused and misguided family members think their offerings will
actually reach to their dear one in so-called heaven. In this way, their
deceased relative will not suffer from the cold or become hungry.
Again, their defective outlook has been given birth and shaped by the
annual Tiljala MPD dogma.
Yet
we should beware that Baba has strictly forbidden such things in our
Ananda Marga system. Our shra'ddha ceremony is to be performed in a
simple, dignified, and respectful manner, without any ostentatious,
pompous display or costly arrangements, as if the deceased is benefited
by that display. In our Ananda Marga philosophy and way of life, there
is no scope in the ceremony to offer material goods (food, clothing,
blankets etc) to the deceased.
Conclusion
As
sadhakas, we all know that the way to please Him and honour our
deceased family member is by adhering to His teachings and guidelines
and not getting caught up in various dogmas like food, clothing, and
blanket distribution that occur at MPD.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Ketaki ganguli
Here below Baba clearly states that it is forbidden to serve food at a shra'ddha ceremony.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Ananda
Marga Caryacarya states, “Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a
memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to
be taken.” (3)
Unfortunately,
now, by copying the MPD dogma, various margiis are serving food at
shra'ddha ceremonies to poor villagers etc. But this food is inedible,
and it is sinful to engage in this type of contravention of Caryacarya.
In sum: Never serve any food to anyone at a shra'ddha ceremony.
~ In-depth study ~
In
their innocence, margiis are emulating what they see happening in
Kolkata each year. There are a growing number of margii families
involved in this annual death day dogma of their relatives. If we do not
discourage this ritual, this dogma will spread.
Sending deceased in "heaven"
During
their shra'ddha ceremony or special annual death day ceremony of the
deceased margii family member, they are distributing blankets, sweets,
delicacies, and biscuit packages as part of the yearly death ritual. Or
if the annual death day ceremony of that margii falls on a Sunday, then
they are making those offerings before, during, and after dharmacakra.
However,
as Ananda Margiis, we should not give an ounce of credence to such
ritualistic dogmas. Ours is a rational approach. In the case of deceased
margiis, we should know that those sadhakas are under the care of
Parama Purusa and have been blessed with the ultimate salvation, i.e.
they have become one with Him. In the case of ordinary persons, after
death they are reborn to continue their journey along the path of
pratisaincara.
All
family margiis should be aware that the so-called MPD program /
“October dogma” is not a guiding light for making annual death day
observations for their deceased margii family members. This is not the
way of dharma and benefits no one - rather the organisers will incur
negative samskaras.
A
drunkard offers alcohol to all they meet because the drunkard thinks
since he likes alcohol then all must like it. Similarly dogmatic people
think that their dogma will be pleasing to others. So they indulge in
ritualistic death ceremonies of margiis. But such antics are not
supported by Ananda Marga teachings.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Inventors of MPD want to see their dogma spread
In
their own manner, the founders of so-called mahaprayan become happy by
watching others by inculcating the annual death day ceremony of margiis
into their family’s annual death observations. Baba describes this
defective mentality in His below teaching.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "Even educated people knowingly submit to dogma.
They know that they are surrendering their intellect to dogma, and that
the outcome will be undesirable; they know and understand everything.
Why, even then, do they knowingly submit to it? They are all deliberate
sinners and intentionally accept dogmas as truth. They observe that
these dogmas are based on A'tma-Sukha Tattva; but they think, "I don't
care whether it does good or harm to others, because at last I have
enjoyed some pleasure!" Being motivated by this idea, they enslave
themselves to dogmas." (4)
Beware: they may do this for you too
I
know some very good margiis who fought against all kinds of social and
religious dogmas, yet when they themselves died, a yearly death ritual
ceremony was conducted per those very same religious dogmas.
Essentially, at the time of their death, their own laokik family members
argued and debated. Some of those family members and relatives told
that the deceased wanted the annual MPD death ritual ceremony, while
various margiis said that there should not be a yearly death ritual as
that runs contrary to the Ananda Marga system. On many of those
occasions, those dogmatic relatives won out as they were misguided by
the Tiljala MPD dogma. So ultimately the very person who fought against
this MPD dogma dogma was himself a victim of that same annual death day
ritual. Such is the irony. To avoid this many margiis have made a will
indicating their wishes for how their death should be handled.
So
if you notice that your own family members are not strict in following
Ananda Marga principles, then they may do the same thing for you. They
might observe your yearly death-day ritual ceremony per local religious
custom etc, and celebrate your death day on a yearly basis. Or they may
distribute food and blankets during your initial shra'ddha ceremony. The
only way to prevent this dogma from happening is to prepare your will
accordingly.
Death
comes suddenly. Even in this materialistic era, all around the globe
organisations and institutions have protocol regarding death. They have
members and key people designate what happens if and when they are no
more. Regardless of the age of the prime minister, that leader must
write a will.
This
is a practical matter and we must tell family members about our
feeling. That will help in eliminating this dogma, otherwise even our
own family members may succumb to the altar of MPD dogma and distribute
blankets and tasty edibles or observe a yearly death ritual program on
the anniversary of that margii’s death.
Externally,
some margiis outrightly proclaim that they are observing the death day
of their loved one because that is done annually at MPD.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Annual death day for everyone?
It
is sad that by witnessing the dogma of MPD in Ananda Marga Pracaraka
Samgha, some family margiis are inculcating this same dogma with their
deceased family members. But remember if your uncle is eating mud that
does not mean that you should also start eating mud thinking that it is
healthy.
Just
because one group invented their so-called mahaprayan program based on
Islamic dogma does not then mean that all AM family members should
create similar programs for their deceased loved one. Doing so invites
the unhappiness of Parama Purusa, not His favour. So it is a loss in so
many ways.
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #37
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Shráddha
3. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #37
4. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Sama-Samája Tattva (Discourse 6)
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I accept only You
"Saba'ka'r ati priyo a'daran'iiyo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0307)
Purport:
Parama
Purusa, You are the Dearmost of all and the most revered and most loved
One. In all the hearts, You are the most precious kaustbha jewel. Baba,
everyone is in You; outside of You, nothing exists. Even without
realising You fully, I feel that only You are mine - my eternal shelter.
Nought in this world will stay forever with me - only You.
My
everlasting Bandhu, in all the flowers, You are the fragrance; in this
creation, You are the Hub. You are the best and sweetest part of each
and every thing. Living among all the unknown entities, I know only You
with Your touch, shape, and flow.
My
Nearmost, You are the refulgence of the diamond of spirituality, the
glow of stars, and the nectar of the universe. I always salute only You
and do sastaunga pranam to You again and again. Baba You are that Divine
Entity who remains always. You do not come and go. In each and every
moment, Your liila is ever-new. O' the Vast Entity, who has taken form
as Taraka Brahma. I accept only You. Baba, I surrender everything at
Your altar. You are my all...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Key points about falling asleep
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, “Yes, we were discussing sleep. After
labouring beyond a certain point in the wakeful state, one's nerve
fibres become exhausted and one feels the need to rest. In the wakeful
state, as the nerve cells are constantly performing the functions of
thinking and recollecting, they become fatigued. Thus for psychic and
physical health, one needs to sleep – the exhausted nerve cells and
fibres will fall into sleep of their own accord. The nerve cells of
those who do physical labour become extremely exhausted, and that is why
the moment they go to bed they immediately fall asleep.” (1)
Reference
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya: Disc: 16
== Section 4: Links ==
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