Donkey Birthday of Guniindrananda
Namaskar,
Here
we examine how some Wts are celebrating their own birthday. However,
according to Ananda Marga philosophy, this goes against the very spirit
and essence of being an avadhuta / avadhutika etc.
Physical birth is animal birthHere
below Baba guides us that for sadhakas, the date of one’s physical
birth is not something great as it merely signifies entry into animal
life.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “With an initiated person
the first birth was the physical birth and the second birth was the
spiritual birth, during initiation. Such a person is dvija, born twice:
First, you are simply born as an animal being. But this second time, as a
human being. So unless and until one is initiated one is not, one
cannot be, treated as a human being.” (1)
The physical birth does
not hold much significance in the life of a spiritual aspirant. When a
person gets initiated onto the path of dharma sadhana, that is their
real birth – i.e. getting tantric diiksa and taking shelter at Sadguru
Baba’s feet. For Wt’s, the point is even more stark since as a sannyasi
they have renounced their past and accepted Parama Purusa Baba as their
Father, Mother, Guru - everything. In that case, there is no scope for
the remembrance or celebration of their worldly birth.
For
avadhutas / avadhutikas, and wholetime workers, birthday celebrations go
against the sanctity of their oaths and against the ideal of their
life. They have come onto this earth for something else: To serve Parama
Purusa and His creation. They should sing the glory of Parama Purusa -
not their own self.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/Guniindrananda’s donkey birthday wishes
Yet see here below how just the other day Dada Guniindrananda is publicly highlighting his own worldly, donkey birthday.
~ Ac Guniindrananda Avt celebrating his own donkey birthday with pomp & show ~
Self-glorification degenerates the mindOur
avadhútas surrender their all – their entire I-feeling – at His lotus
feet. Their name has changed; their address has changed; their identity
has changed. They have no past connection with their worldly life, nor
their worldly birth. Avadhútas and Avadhútikás give everything to Parama
Purusa – they have nothing left to call their own. So there is no
question of celebrating their worldly birthday. Because celebrating
one’s own donkey birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the
mind.
That is why in the conduct rules of the avadhúta, there
is no such thing as the observance of one’s own donkey birthday or any
form of celebration or glorification of one’s own unit existence. Rather
the Avt’s and Avtká’s goal of life and the be-all end-all of their
existence is to glorify Parama Purusa. Our Avts and Avadhútikás are to
be established solely in Marga Guru’s glory.
In which case,
where is the scope for an avadhuta / avadhútiká to celebrate their own
donkey birthday. Unfortunately, some disoriented Wts still exist who
sing their own glory and celebrate their donkey birthday. Such Wts are
so influenced by avidya maya that they forgot about their oaths, their
name, their dress. They started equating themselves as a ….,
unfortunately. Now, it is the duty of all margiis to help them
understand their greatness that our avadhútas / avadhútikás are
disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. So there is no question of
glorifying their worldly existence. Because celebrating one’s own
birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/Triple sin: avadhuta birthday celebrationsUnfortunately,
some Wts have been organising donkey birthday parties and singing
Baba's special Prabhat Samgiita #135, “Janmadine…”, in the honour of
that Wt. So this is a triple sin. Firstly, Wts should not be celebrating
the date of their physical birth. Secondly, Wt should not be glorifying
their own unit existence. And thirdly, this Prabhat Samgiita
composition is not meant for unit beings.
This blessed song -
Prabhat Samgiita #135, “Janmadine…” - is to be sung to Taraka Brahma
Baba during our grand Ananda Purnima celebrations. By this way, sadhakas
are greatly benefited and drawn closer to Parama Purusa. This song also
celebrates the grand arrival of Parama Purusa into a sadhaka’s life. So
it is not a worldly birthday song for unit beings. No avadhuta or
sadhaka should misuse this Prabhat Samgiita for any type of worldly
birthday gathering.
So it is quite shameful and inappropriate
how certain Wts have directed this Prabhat Samgiita toward themselves,
as if they are the focal point of this song and their worldly /donkey
birthday is so important.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/More fake avadhutas involved in birthday antics(A) Some
time back in the past, in Jharsguda (Orissa, India), there was a big
donkey birthday party event held in honour of Dada Priyakrsnananda.
For
those not aware, Dada Priyakrsnananda has years and years of experience
in Ananda Marga and even in his early years in the Marga he was a
central worker. But unfortunately, those years he was like a rock in a
river. Just as the water never touches the inside of the rock despite
the rock being immersed in the river, similarly Priyakrsnananda Dada was
not drenched. Or what we can say.
Perhaps most surprising is
that there were many, many so-called senior workers on hand for this
donkey birthday gala event and in one big round, they all sang Prabhat
Samgiita #135, "Janma dine...", in order to celebrate Dada
Priyakrsnananda's birthday. And Dada P raised no objections. This type
of dogmatic occasion is 100% against the ethics of our Ananda Marga and
it sets a very negative example.
(B) Thereafter in SUVA
sector, the very senior Dada Paramatmananda and Didi Ananda Shamiita
organised two donkey birthday parties - some years ago. And they
insisted that Prabhat Samgiita #135, "Janma dine...", be sung. With
printed song sheets etc that Dada and Didi made sure that the donkey
birthday event was celebrated with this song. Sadly, some of our senior
most workers do not understand the basic principles about Ananda Marga
and Prabhat Samgiita. They have forgotten Guru's teachings and
guidelines.
(C) Then at New York sector's Boston Regional
retreat, Ac. Rainjitananda Avt celebrated his own donkey birthday with
full gusto and glory. In grand fashion, everyone present at the retreat
sang a hearty round of the traditional American "Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You" song in Dadaji's honor. And during the singing
one sumptuous cake was brought out and served to Dadaji. And like that
the whole affair took on the flavor of one mundane Americana birthday
party whereby non-margiis make a wish for mundane objects as they blow
out the candles on the birthday cake and receive presents from one and
all etc. So like that Rainjitanandji's celebratory occasion and donkey
birthday party was carried out whereby Dada accepted the card and cake
and all arrangements in his own honour. Because at that moment Dadaji's
birthday was the showcase event going on at the retreat some years ago.
(D) Didi
Ananda Kalyanshrii has also been involved in grand donkey birthday
celebrations. This Didi who used to be DSL Delhi and then became SWWS
Delhi had big donkey birthday celebrations where all her children's home
kids would sing for her. Actually this Didi has a long history of
self-glorification. All recall how Didi celebrated her donkey birthday
with much pomp and show.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/Lowly standard of “birthday-celebrating Wts”About
any such cases where Wts go against their own code of conduct - by
celebrating their worldly donkey birthday etc - Baba has given the
following teaching:
"Mana na' ra'inga'ile ra'inga'ile yogii kapar'a.
Saffron and red do not a yogiis make
With mind undyed he remains a fake."
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "Dye your mind with His colour. Those who have
not done so cannot attain Him, for this very coloration is Prema or
Divine Love... No external sign of Sa'dhuta' or virtue is necessary.
Become sa'dhu within. Behind the external show of virtuousness of many
so-called sa'dhus exists a pharisaic state of mind. Preserve the true
dignity of the word, Sa'dhu."
“Mu’r'ha mura’ye jata’ bar’a'ye...
With shaven head or matted locks
And ashen body a Sadhu walks
With the swaggering gait of a well-fed buffalo.
And crude mind filled with thoughts mean and low."
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "That is why I say that you must bring about a
revolutionary change in the flow of your judgment and thought, and see
how, after overcoming your fascination with external colour, your mind
becomes tinged with the His glorious colour." (2)
ConclusionThe
sole reason for writing this letter and addressing this issue is to
help those Wts rectify their conduct and improve the overall standard of
our Wt cadre. If this donkey birthday problem is not solved, then some
of the newer Wts many also adopt this donkey birthday ritual and prolong
the dogma. Yet we should not let this problem mount. We should also
bear in mind that many Wts - new and old - do not support these Wt
donkey birthday celebrations yet they are not in position to rectify the
matter. Whatever the circumstance, as Ananda Margiis it is our duty to
bring this issue to the fore so it can be properly addressed and
resolved.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Nityanirainjan Deva
~ In-depth study ~Follow conduct and spirit avadhuta How
far is it appropriate & befitting for avadhutas to celebrate their
own donkey birthday? Here the point is that being an avadhuta is
meaningful to the degree one abides by all the guidelines and teachings
and represents Ananda Marga ideology. Who can forget that at one time
Vishokananda and Madhavananda also carried the title of avadhuta. For
those who do not follow the codes and standards of being avadhuta -
their title of avadhuta is meaningless. Because Baba's guideline is
that being avadhuta in name only is not enough - one must follow the
conduct and spirit. Taking everything into consideration here following
are some of Baba's important guidelines about acarya and avadhuta life.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/Ananda
Marga ideology guides us, "A'ca'ran'a't pa'thayati yah sah a'ca'ryah--
'One who teaches through one's conduct is an acarya'. If you cannot
learn anything from the conduct and behaviour of a certain person, why
should you accept that person as an a'ca'rya." (3)
Ananda Marga
ideology guides us, "Bear in mind that people may be harmed or misled by
even a small weakness or defect in the conduct of an acarya...an acarya
should always instruct by his exemplary actions and words." (4)
Just donkey’s birthdayIn
Ananda Marga, if anything is done for superficial show or in an
insincere manner then that is not acceptable. For instance, if someone
serves you food only to show how great they are then Baba terms that
food as: Donkey Food.
Here is an English summary of that
teaching: If food is not offered with that heart-felt feeling then that
food is donkey food, gardabha’nna. So one must not eat that food. (5)
Similarly
sadhana done with the primary motive of showing one’s greatness instead
of pleasing Parama Purusa is donkey sadhana. And if kiirtan is sung
with the primary motive as a display of one’s musical talent and instead
of to spread the glory of the Lord, then that is donkey kiirtan.
Likewise,
when any Wt or avadhuta celebrated their own birthday in their honour
instead of spreading the glory of Parama Purusa, then their celebration
is a donkey birthday.
In the past the aforementioned Wts were
celebrating their donkey birthday. Now we have to see if still they are
involved in donkey birthday celebrations.
https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/References1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Twice Born
2. Subhasita Samgraha part 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Silent Action
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya
5. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
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