Swami Dharmananda
Hansi, 22.06.2006
Religion Should Creep Into The Conduct Of Life
Acharya Mahaprajna, the inspiration behind the Ahimsa Yatra, led a massive rally at the occasion of the inauguration of Acharya Shri Tulsi Chowk at Hansi. He arrived at Shri Rajkiya Kanya Madhamika Vidyalaya along with the rally via Kachahri Chowk, Ambedkar Chowk, Badti Gate, and Chokta Market. There, the public gave him a warm welcome.
H.H. Acharyashree said, “ In India there are lots of religions, religious gurus and disciples and despite that, we lack character, morality and accountability. This is a big question before us. When a thing is there, but it is of no use, it has no value. Similarly, if the principles of a man are good, but he does not practice them, they are useless.
During Ahimsa Yatra, I met lots of people who claimed that their religious scriptures contain the concept of Ahimsa. However, none said that our religion does not profess Ahimsa. But if it is not in the conduct of life, then it is useless.
Today it is an imperative that religion should be part of the conduct of man's life. It is heard everywhere that one should not be angry, egoist and greedy, but finally, what is happening? It is futile to drink water if the thirst is not quenched after drinking.
Being religious means that religion should be reflected in one's conduct, i.e. in honesty, morality and accountability. One should put to introspection one's life to know what sort of life one is leading and how much honesty and morality are in one's life. Everyone should rectify his inner self.
Lord Mahavira not only gave the message of unity to humanity, but also changed his life. Religion being present in conduct and in the market will only be useful, when there is no cruelty towards others.
Hansi is an old place, where a lot of work has been done. When the people of Hansi resolutely decide to change themselves and to bring principles and philosophy of Anuvrat in their life's conduct, Hansi could become exemplary for others."
Hansi, 23.06.2006
I am Not Only Walking With Destiny, But Also With Endeavour…
Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam felicitated greetings to Acharya Mahaprajna on his 87 th birthday. In his felicitations, the President said, "75 years of your ascetic life are filled with divinity. I congratulate you for serving humanity. The mission that you have assigned me, inspires me to work in that direction. I wish a long life for you." Yuvacharya Shri Mahashramana read the President's message in public.
While addressing the public in Hansi on "Pragya Divas" (on his 87th birthday), Acharya Mahaprajna said, "Do not continue to remain orthodox, try to transform and to bring about change. I received the mantra of endeavour from Acharya Tulsi. In fact, I would suggest that my birthday would be celebrated as 'A week with Acharya Tulsi' as I and Gurudev always stayed as one.
My life's unknown vessel is heading continuously in the unfathomable oceans. I am unaware of the objective of my life. Up to the age of 10, childhood was my first life; my second birth was as a Muni. I had to become a Muni and so I became a Muni. Why, I do not know.
Third birth was of a Yuvacharya. Why, I do not know. Fourth birth was as an Acharya. Why I became, I do not know. Perhaps it was destiny, and so it happened. I am not only walking with destiny, but I am also walking with efforts. Let destiny do its part, and I'll always walk with the beacon of effort."
Hansi, 24.06.2006
Anekanta Is A Source Of Energy
On the successful continuous and daily broadcast of the inspirational "Prerna Pathye" since five years, the Friends' Council of Kolkata organized a function in presence of Acharya Mahaprajna. The Chairman of the Council, Shri Pramod Nahata, in his valedictory address spoke about the achievements and experiences associated with it.
The Coordinator of the "Prerna Pathye" Shri Surendra Choraria in a joint statement said, "The broadcast of the sermons of H.H. started 24th June 2001 on Zanskar Channel. Today, after completing five years of transmission, hitherto 1724 sermons have been broadcasted. We attempted to convey the objectives and the message of Ahimsa Yatra to common people through these broadcasts. We received positive feedback from all parts of the country."
H.H: Acharya Mahaprajna remarked, “A man who recognizes truth is connected with three times. First, his present life is good; second, his future will be good and third, life after death will be well.
I believe in the present life, so that next birth will also be good. If the very ground beneath the feet is dark, then the light is not possible. Without discipline, development is impossible and vice versa. My introduction is not needed, following the broadcast of Prerna Pathye on the Zanskar Channel. Lot of people approached me after being inspired. The workers play an important role in it."
Hansi, 25.06.2006
Focus On Basic, Awake Consciousness
The current problem is that man is not trying to understand the basic, the primary thing. He talks about secondary, tertiary and quaternary things. He ignores the primary or the basic, his attention is fixed to a desired object or on its reflection, but not on the basic. His desire for happiness leads him into sufferings.
Newspapers release lists of rich men telling who is how much rich, and therefore attention gets fixed on thousands of rich people. This is the biggest example of fixation and attachment.
The current economy suffers from two problems: Imbalance between the development of consciousness and substance. A man takes birth, studies, consumes, but has no time to ponder upon consciousness. Impurity of emotions is giving rise to many problems. Man is most concerned with the external world, leading to fainting of consciousness. Man's consciousness is leading to rampant corruption.
Until consciousness is purified and is not implemented in learning it is difficult to contain corruption. There must be balance between consciousness and substance. There is excess in the world of substance, which needs to be contained and balanced.
When the basic element is understood, the complete series is known. The metaphysical knowledge breaks the vicious cycle of ignorance. Therefore, it is an imperative that the experiment of Anekanta, the plurality of vision, should be reinforced to maintain the balance for the resolution of the problems.
When the task of editing the 'Agama' began, Acharya Shri Tulsi told that it should be a description not only of religion, but also of truth. One who possesses a broad perspective can only say such a thing. The multidimensional perspective of Anekanta is a source of energy.
Einstein became a great mathematician by sheer persistence. Every man could progress with persistence. Every ascetic could become great by sheer persistence. Greatness lies latent in every man."
Hansi, 26.06.2006
Make Religion A Direct Source Of Happiness
Addressing the public gathering, the leader of the Ahimsa Yatra, Acharya Mahaprajna said, “ Happiness is of two kinds, direct and indirect. Direct happiness is gross, while indirect happiness is subtle and at distance. Man is not able to apprehend the subtle, while he remains attached to the gross. Man is more attracted towards the direct happiness, because it procures immediate happiness to him.
Acharya Tulsi taught that living religion gives direct gains. In today's world, logic and counter logic works rather than belief. Man is attracted towards direct happiness, but consumption does not provide extreme happiness. Consumption leads to alternate bouts of happiness and sufferings, but does not provide perpetual happiness.
Happiness by liberation (Moksha) and Spirituality is eternal. Happiness obtained by senses is direct. A man living only at the gross level of senses is never attracted towards religion. If a man transcends the level of senses, he gets attracted towards religion.
Where the transcendental consciousness is awakened, religion is evoked. We should make religion and spirituality as direct medium of happiness. One attains this stage through Sadhana. A man, who perceives directly, does not suffer from any tension and stays happy. The consciousness of one who does not work in that direction, gets maligned and becomes victim of tension and fear. A man experiencing bliss while reaming religious and offering prayers finds direct happiness. One could advance towards direct happiness through religion."Hansi, 01.07.2006
Progress Is Not Possible Without Discipline
Acharya Mahaprajna said while addressing the public gathering, “ Where there is discipline, there is peace. Without organization and discipline, there is strife. Freedom and enslavement cannot be segregated. The senses are controlled by the mind. Freedom is a big achievement; everybody is in bondage, which is running his life.
When a man walks freely, he could walk up to 10-20 kilometres. By vehicle or airplane, he could travel a limited distance, as he in a sort of bondage. Bondage also has its benefits. Only a liberated soul can be completely free. The demands of the body have to be met.
The body works with the senses and the mind. Above all, if one has to live in the realm of emotions, then one has to accept bondage. The root of bondage is the body. Never think of complete freedom and therefore there is a need to understand discipline.
Man cannot progress without discipline. People have created many institutions, but when discipline is missing, they render themselves harmful. A religious order lacking disciplinarian conduct, cannot function properly. Both, do's and don'ts are parts of discipline. If the religious order lacks discipline, it lacks activity.
If a Sadhu (ascetic) works without the orders of a Guru (teacher) then it is tantamount to disobeying his orders. One who disobeys cannot do anything for the religious order.
If I have to quote in the present context, then I can say that none can be compared to Yuvacharya Mahashraman when it comes to obedience. Though a Yuvacharya is given free hand to work, yet he gives minute attention to all things. It is essential for the ascetics (Sadhus and Sadhvis) to offer five gupti and three Samiti incessant prayers and to talk carefully. It is essential for a Shravak to provide pure food and for an ascetic to check water first and then take the pure food.
The greater renunciation, the greater is religion, said Acharya Bikshu in his sutra. Conversely, we may add, the higher consumption, the higher irreligion. Everybody has to accept the successor chosen by the Acharya. When Mahashraman was made Yuvacharya, thousands of people welcomed the decision. Acharya Bikshu in his last days said that education should be given only to those deserving it, the others could be segregated from the religious order.
Hansi, 02.07.2006
Religion Should Be Put To Test
On the last day of his eleven days stay in Hansi, Acharya Mahaprajna said, “ When a man stays at his shop regularly, at the end of the day, he makes the balance sheet of profit and loss. If he regularly follows this practice, the shop runs well, otherwise, it will not.
Equally, a man should introspect himself to know how much change and what gains religion has brought in his life. If a man has a disposition to fight, he must try to change. Further, the disposition to bitter talks should be changed as well as the habit of getting angry. Religion should be put to test in order to know what change it is bringing about in life. Visible change shows that a lot can be gained by religion. When the habitation is not peaceful, problems are cropping up.
Life cannot be good for a tensed man. A religious person should lead a blissful life without stress. Religion should bring accountability, morality and honesty in the life of its followers. Honesty brings confidence, which helps in resolving many problems. If a man's conduct is good then he can be said to be religious.
The perspective of Anekanta should be adopted (plural) whose formula (sutra) is relativity (sapakesha). Things go well if we understand each other's expectations and there is no room for strife. Philosophy, principles and religious scriptures should be reflected in life's conduct. With firm character and good conduct, benefits could be reaped from religion.