Baba
Self-cheating
Namaskar,
Here is the way in which some Wts gather donated supplies for AMPS service projects but then they sell those supplies for their own profit and gain.
There are numerous occasions when outside business leaders and financiers have opted to support our projects etc. But look here what has repeatedly happened:
- #1:
When cash is given up front, quickly those donors realise that the
money is being misutilised, so they resort to just giving material
goods, not cash donations.
- #2:
But some Wts, instead of using those donated supplies - i.e. bricks,
iron rods, metal, cement, you name it like clothing, shoes, toiletries,
food, medicine etc - for AMPS service projects, those Wts sell those
donated items to local construction crews at discounted prices.
- #3:
After doing this a few times, such Wts become famous in the area for
having the cheapest building supplies in town. Because they got those items donated to them (i.e. free of cost) - and then they sell those donated supplies at 40% to 60% of the market value.
Personal account: saw with my own eyes
I recall visiting some Wts and seeing how building contractors were seeking them out in order to buy cheap bricks etc. Because those Wts would make deals with a particular contractor and get the address of his new project and then tell the donor that, “I, Wt Such-&-Such, am starting a new school or temple at xyz address so please deliver all the bricks and cement there.” So those supplies would be delivered to the contractor’s jobsite, and the local builders would receive everything and Wt would show up to get his payment. This type of hypocritical and duplicitous dealing is a complete betrayal of the donor’s trust. And invariably at some point the scam would fall apart. The donors would find out what was really going on, and those Wts would be known as a cheat all around town. So they would have to sneak off to the next town and start up their scam all over again. Until again they get caught and exposed - and have to move to the next town. In that case, who is going to entrust us with a large donation.
Sadly these days nothing is impossible. There is not a single point from the Wt conduct rules that is not regularly violated these days. Each and every point has been broken. When they can sell an AMPS jagrti or master unit, then selling donated bricks and cement is nothing for them. But in this way there is a horrible loss of trust from our donors, family margiis, and honest people in society. The day is not far when nobody will place their trust in us or donate anything if these degraded, rampant episodes by wayward Wts are allowed to continue.
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Hypocrisy became their modus operandi
Here is more of the behind-the-scenes look into this matter. In India, the tradition is to donate to monks. And naturally those donors want to see their offering used in a productive and grand manner. They think by this way they will gain some virtue. With this groundwork, various opportunistic Wts try and fully capitalise on the situation. Those Wts talk big about organising huge programs and magnificent conferences with participants from around the globe. Hearing this, donors are tempted - they feel that they should be part of it. By this way, those Wts completely exploit donors’ sentiment along with the tradition of feeding monks to gain virtue. Those Wts exaggerate the numbers up to the sky and say that a huge yajina will be held with hundreds of monks and people from all the four corners of the earth will attend. And they print pamphlets and go from shop to shop to garner interest and create a frenzy and public stir.
By this strategy, Wts amp up those donors to give a maximum amount. By the time the program or event is to begin, those Wts have collected far more money and offerings than are needed. So they put the money in their bank account and sell most of the offerings to increase their profits. Many of the donors and business people are too busy in their own lives to see what is going on so they are prime targets / victims. Such are the sleazy tactics of some Wts for befooling the public. But by this duplicity their soul becomes completely black. Yet, in their mind those Wts feel justified and emboldened; and they rationalise that, “I am a Wt and I am dedicated for the society so getting money in this manner is just fine.” Such is their degraded outlook. Because the fact is that they are not doing anything for society. The program was just their own money-making venture. So their basic mindset and modus operandi is that of hypocrisy. They feel there is no other way to survive. Sadly, nowadays monkhood and hypocrisy go hand in hand within the Wt ranks of our AMPS. Many have completely forgotten their vows of sacrifice and dedication.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Conclusion: must break cycle of hypocrisy
This trend is repugnant and poisonous. Some Wts show themselves as being great sages yet internally they are completely degraded. Rather than leading a life based on a high ideal, they have become completely wedded to hypocrisy. And they live under the false facade or illusion that this is ok. It is astonishing how contradictory their entire personality becomes. Just as thieves feel that others have been put on the planet so those thieves can rob them, similarly some within our AMPS Wt cadre feel that their main job is to cheat, dupe, and profit off of the common man. This has become their “norm” - exhibiting hypocrisy from morning to night. They hold programs to befool the public, and they tell Baba stories to lure people into giving them donations. For such Wts, nothing is done for seva and bhakti. There is an ulterior motive behind each and every activity.
The tragedy is that by this way they cannot grow as sadhakas. Rather, they become more depraved. They will never become a true sadhu as they have no repentance for their degrading ways, and just embrace hypocrisy as a mode of living. They feel this is their best option. Such fake sannyasi Wts are the lowest of the low. Their very existence is antithetical to Guru’s teachings, yet they gallivant around the globe as if they are true dharmikas and the upholders of Ananda Marga ideology. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds. They cheat on all the Wt conduct rules and have no qualms about their deceitful actions. It is all quite astonishing, yet sadly rampant as well.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
This negative cycle has to be broken; then and only then can they become sadhus. And only then will our service projects become worthy. Having true dharmikas at the helm of our social service projects will allow our work to shine and sparkle. And the donations will come rolling in. But without proper leadership, and just having hypocritical Wts at the top, things are essentially doomed. Even then I remain hopeful the situation will be turned around, by His grace.
Prout philosophy states, "There are some people who are pessimistic. They say that the society around us is very bleak, that it has no expression of vitality and that is seems that everyone is in deep slumber. Pessimists say this because they have never made any detailed study of human history, nor do they care to. Had they done so, they would certainly be optimistic, because if they had looked carefully at the symptoms of pause, they would have realised that significant preparations were being made for the subsequent phase of speed. So under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life." (1)
In Him,
Antarya’mii Deva
~ In-depth study ~
Baba: no place for such hypocrite Wts in our AMPS
About hypocritical people Baba's guideline is very strong. Please read below.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "There is no place for hypocrites in our organization...You should not tolerate hypocrites, not at all." (2)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Hypocrites are those who betray. Don't forgive till his nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Sincerity is reflected in actions, not in words only. One who displays sincerity in words but not in actions is a hypocrite. You should not tolerate hypocrites." (4)
Donor is also guilty if
According to Ananda Marga teachings if a donation is given to some fake persons and that donation is misused then the donor is also responsible. Baba has directed us in the chapter on Tapah in "A Guide to Human Conduct" that if donated money is not utilized for a just and worthy cause, then the donor is also responsible for that misdeed(s). The donor will incur negative samskaras - that is Baba's strict warning. Thus, always be alert that your donation does not go in the wrong hand.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Tapah devoid of knowledge is bound to be misused. The opportunists will misuse your energy by extracting work from you to serve their selfish ends, and at the same time this will deprive the real sufferers of their due services from you. A rich miser approaches you with a tale of woe and entreats you to give him relief. Being moved with pity, if you do what is needed to relieve him of his suffering, the very purpose of tapah will be defeated, as it is without any knowledge or reasoning. The end result of your service will be that the rich man whom you have served will become more miserly and more selfish and will, in the future, try to deceive in a greater way people who dedicate themselves to the service of humanity. Secondly, as you will, to some extent, know his inner motive, you will become mentally depressed and you will also develop a hostile attitude towards him. Therefore, while following the principle of tapah you should ascertain fully well whether the person you are going to serve, really needs your service. Only then should you engage yourself in service...Therefore, you will have to ascertain with discrimination where your responsibility lies and to what extent; otherwise all your time, energy and labour employed in tapah will be in vain...because in such cases you do not make the proper use of objects." (5)
We should all pay heed to Baba's above guideline about tapah and serving others. If our donations do not reach the right person or party, then we ourselves are to be held accountable. If we fail to ensure that our donation is used to serve those in need, then that service or donation is meaningless. And those kind-hearted donors are responsible - in part - for this impropriety.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 7, Dynamicity and Staticity
2. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, Silent Action
3. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #6
4. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, Silent Action
5. A Guide to Human Conduct, Tapah Chapter
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