Baba
Insidious dogma: AMPS
Namaskar,
All are aware about this fundamental teaching from Sadguru Baba.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Dogma no more, dogma no more." (1)
Yet it is not always so easy to decipher what is a dogma and what is not - nor how to move ahead in life when confronted by dogmas. Nowadays, there are so many controversial issues - new things that are sprouting up every day. And it can be difficult to know which ones are good and which are not, as well as how they should be resolved.
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Stepwise formula for identifying dogmas
In His DMC discourse, "Instinct and Devotion", Sadguru Baba clearly shows how prevailing dogmas in the society halt the march of human progress.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You are moving forward. You are developing your fraternity throughout the universe but if a dogma says -dogma based on a particular scripture or a particular philosophy says - "You know, you are the blessed being and they are the slaves - they are to be ruled by you, they are to be governed by you" - this idea chokes the progress. It is dogma. You have developed fraternity for all animals, and suppose the scriptures say, "O human being, those animals are your food. You should kill them. You should eat them." Now your progress in the realm of spirituality, in the phase of development, is choked there. It is dogma." (2)
In His above teaching, Baba clearly describes how in day to day life we are confronted by numerous dogmas.
Then Sadguru Baba graciously presents us with a special unique approach - comprised of three steps - to handle the situation. By this graduated system, we can determine how to move ahead.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When a dogma comes you should first apply your common sense. If common sense fails to give you a satisfactory reply, apply logic. If the logic fails to give you a satisfactory reply, apply your sense of humanity and get the reply and do accordingly. You are not to be guided by any dogma based on any scripture of any defective philosophy." (3)
Thus there are three mechanisms for addressing any particular dogma. In the first letter in this series we examined how one identifies a dogma using their common sense. But, as we all know, not everyone can identify and root out dogmas using their common sense alone. Invariably there comes a time when something more is needed. The next tool for determining any dogma is logic. That is the second step in Guru's formula for identifying a dogma.
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Step #2: Use Logic & Reasoning
So in those circumstances where the first step - common sense - does not resolve the dogma, then we must move onto step two and apply logic and reasoning.
That means through pointed analysis and our sense of rationality we are to evaluate and determine if that theory or action is a dogma. In this age of science and reasoning - where we have access to all kinds of studies and information, as well as the touchstone of Ananda Marga ideology - we can generally determine whether something is a dogma or not.
Applying Baba's formula: case study
Suppose one margii has been invited to attend a mahaprayan / shraddhainjali gathering on 26 Oct. Yet, by their common sense they are unable to recognise or determine if the ceremony of mahaprayan / shraddhainjali is a dogma, or not.
So they next apply logic. So the margii reads and reflects on the following quotes:
(A) Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, “The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days.” (4)
(B) Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidyá (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamúrtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty." (5)
(C) “Vrnda’vanam parityajya pa’damekam na gaccha’mi...” (Prabhat Samgiita #4225)
Meaning: “I (Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji) am always eternally present in Vrindavan, in the hearts of devotees. That is Guru cakra. I do not go even a little away from that. I am eternally present along with the devotees.”
(D) Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You spiritual aspirants, you should remember that Parama Puruśa is always with you." (6)
By the above teachings the margii reasons that Parama Purusa Baba is that timeless, eternal Entity and that He remains with every bhakta - in their heart, always. And that observing His mahaprayan is a dogma that diminishes His greatness.
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Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, “The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days.” (7)
Meaning of mahaprayan
And side by side, that margii investigates and analyses the term: mahaprayan.
They learn that:
a. Mahaprayan / shraddhainjali is the term to denote the death of any human being;
b. The mahaprayan / shraddhainjali ceremony is common in the Islamic tradition;
c. Guru never gave the mahaprayan program; rather it was inaugurated after 1990 by Dada Sarvatmanandji and the purodha board.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, “The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days.” (8)
Conclusion
We can also look at the case of mahaprayan / shraddhainjali. This annual death day ceremony implies that Guru is dead. Yet as sadhakas, each and every day we interact with and see Baba in our Guru sakash, Guru puja’, and Guru dhyana etc. In that case, anyone can understand that mahaprayan is a dogma. Only those who don’t have bhakti or are guided by dogma will come to a different conclusion.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, “The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days.” (9)
In Him,
Vishnumaya
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Dogma – No More
2. Yoga Psychology, Instinct and Devotion
3. Yoga Psychology, Instinct and Devotion
4. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
5. Caryacarya - 2, Sadhana, point #1a
6. Subhasita Samgraha -19, The Path of Salvation
7. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
8. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
9. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
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 ==
Permanently etched in my psyche
PS Intro: In the following song, the auspicious advent of Mahasambhuti is compared with a thunderbolt, and the world is represented as the land of clouds. Nirguna Brahma, playing the role of Taraka Brahma, took advent in the form of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. He came on this earth as Mahasamabhuti, and nobody could understand Him. Those who came in close contact were wonderstruck and awed. And when He left His Mahasambhuti form then all sorts of questions arose about who He was.
“Megher deshe hat́hát ese, kon se taŕit khelegelo…” (Prabhat Samgiita #2677)
Purport:
In the land of clouds, suddenly one amazing thunderbolt playfully appeared. That flash went away without mentioning Its name. In spite of coming in human form, It could not be held.
I could not get His whereabouts or know who He was. Nor did I ask Him directly about getting His introduction. Due to this amazing and wondrous phenomenon, I was not able to think properly. All these queries and thoughts arose in my mind later on, after He left.
After spiritually intoxicating my entire being, that thunderbolt disappeared. Yet, His cosmic liila of ‘His coming and going’ has remained in my mind ever since. I shall never forget it; that moment is permanently etched in my psyche. Even today His sweet memory is fresh in my soul...
== Section 3: Links ==
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