The Three Carts and the Burning House
[from the Hiyu chapter (Chapter 3) of the Lotus Sutra]
One day, a fire brokes out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children. The wealthy man shouts at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the children are absorbed in their games and cannot understand his warning, though the house is being consumed by flames.
Then, the wealthy man devises a practical way to lure the children from the burning house. Knowing that the children are fond of interesting playthings, he calls out to them, “Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?"
The wealthy man knows that these things will be irresistible to his children.
The children immediately race out to get into the carts. In this way, the wealthy man is able to get his children safely away from the burning house.
Once outside, the children demand the carts they have been promised. Instead, the wealthy man gives them a much finer and larger cart — one that runs as swiftly as the wind — adorned with many jewels and drawn by a great white ox. This cart is called the Great White Ox Cart.
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I would like to share my experiences with the Bharat Soka Gakkai leadership. Do please note that I have been a member of Bharat Soka Gakkai over the past 6-7 years. In 2013, I was approached by a ‘leader’ with a request to help her straighten their family’s books of accounts that were in a complete mess. I showed them the correct way ahead for straightening their books and tax files, delineated the do’s and don’ts for proper maintenance of their books. I brought them to a stage when they felt self-sufficient regarding their tax matters. The ‘leader’ would oft ask for my advice on financial matters; I not only gave her the advice, I also resolved most of her financial issues. As soon as her work with me was over, the ‘leader’ disassociated from me – probably because my usefulness was over in her judgement. The ‘leader’ emotionally manipulated me and used me emotionally, physically, financially, intellectually and then dropped me. Apart from financial matters, she approached me for help on for several other issues – such as helping her make a patio, refurbishment of her apartment, writing speeches for her, going shopping to buy her furniture, personal matters … the list is endless. She kept on giving me the impression that these are part of my kosen rufu activities. She even had financial dealings with me on a number of occasions. She expected me to give her gifts, and I did give her many gifts. As I see it, while I continued to help her as my kosen rufu efforts, she conveniently took advantage of my sincerity. She used me and used me till she realized that she did not need my services anymore.
ReplyDeleteIs this the kind of leader Bharat Soka Gakkai wants? What legacy is she leaving for the next generation of Bharat Soka Gakkai? The said ‘leader’ is completely devoid of spiritualism, goodwill, generosity, benevolence, kind-heartedness, compassion, empathy, concern, tolerance, humaneness. She has no compassion, no qualms about using people, talking behind their backs and behaving in a high handed manner. She does not think of the greater good of other members. She is jealous of the progress of others in the group and tries to put them down by talking ill about them. During meetings, she is at her best with a saintly attitude. Outside the meetings, she shows her true nature. I am shocked with her duality which I call ‘Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde’, for this is my experience with her. She enjoys being called a spiritual leader as it gives her a sense of power, a sense of superiority. She welcomes people who have problems and asks them to share it with her so that she can give advice to them as their ‘guru’. I have seen in her a distinct ‘spiritual snobbery’ and the desire to climb the Bharat Soka Gakkai ladder by ‘hook or by crook’. This, you will agree, is ‘spiritual fraud’ and violates the principles of humanity. She is a deceitful leader. She is not a spiritual person, and yet she is a leader in Bharat Soka Gakkai! Is this what the organization has come to?! Appointing leaders of this character?! (There must be something in her as she couldn’t have fooled all of us.)
It must be observed here that, due to her misdeeds, the Block has been disunited (with her manipulative methods and a cold and calculative mind). Quite a few people have complained about her. What can we expect from such a leader who cannot even unite a block? Will she ever be able to unite a community or society? The first actions towards happiness are about inculcating / establishing tolerance and unity… to move on to the greater search for the Self. How shall we achieve this final goal? Especially if the first actions have also not been performed?
I have been deeply disturbed with being in the same organization as this ‘leader’. All this has harmed me beyond explanation – Am vexed at having wasted my resources, Am tormented with the negativities thrown at me, Am apprehensive on my own spiritual growth!