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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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in sensuous vices. He comes only on some special occasions. Devotees revere him as representative of the deity and even worship him. The government has curtailed his exclusive powers and have appointed a management committee of government officers. Yet there are cases of bungling, misappropriation and embezzlement of funds and valuable jewellery by connivance of the management. It was rumoured that in one such major bungling the chief minister was also involved."
Deepti was not surprised by such revelations. She sat pondering. She could deduce that there was no difference between the monks, purohits, kathavachaks (story tellers), mahants and the tantrics. A tantric uses occult practices including vulgar sexuality and cruelty by forcing sacrifice of not only birds and animals but also humans, children of others and even one's own. The monks and others also prescribe rituals of various sorts and dubious methods like fears of hell, rewards of heavenly pleasures and successes without effort. There is the difference of only degree and not of kind. They are parasites and cheats and survive on the ignorance and superstitions of gullible people who throng to these mainly because of their inherent weakness to shirk effort and have false belief that their desires will be fulfilled and works will be done by following the superstitious traditions of worshipping inanimate objects, the various idols of gods and goddesses even though they see these lifeless and powerless things helpless to be able to protect themselves and being easily damaged and stolen. This is deep rooted genetically and traditionally and emboldens and empowers the exploiters to exploit gullible masses and to enjoy all sorts of material pleasures parasitically at the cost of ignorant people both rich
and poor, educated and illiterate alike, high placed bureaucrats and ordinary clerks, professors to primary teachers, chief ministers, minsters, sarpanchas and panchas, eminent scientists to junior research scholars i.e. people of all sorts obsessed with superstitious beliefs. Even ISRO scientists perform havans before launching of satellites though these are injurious to environment as anything whatsoever, may be perfumes, when burnt, do produce CO,. There is need for concerted measures and determined crusade against all sorts of perpetrators, the monks, mahants, pundits, purohits, pandas and their ilk. The truths about various myths and superstitions should be told and hammered to erase these from the psyche of people through media and incorporated in the programme in education system from primary to all higher levels. She resolved that she would make every possible effort on her part and incorporate it as a main objective of their Trust and arrange for the training of dedicated volunteers to carry on the mission.
Vijay came searching for her and asked her to finish her enquiry as it was time to return to Udaipur now.
Deepak and Deepti left for mount Abu early next day. On the way they stopped at the famous Rishabdeo or Kesariaji temple. Deepti observed similar scenario here also, people flocking to get boons and their works to done without effort and just by worshipping the lifeless idol, helpless even to save itself. Deepak knew about the temple and told her, "It is a Jain temple. In Jainism asking for boons from Jain idols is prohibited in principle yet majority do that. It is venerated by both Digamber and Swetamber sects but both sects are fighting for exclusive rights and possession and the fight is
