Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra’s Teaching in Christian Theological Paradigm - Written by Kerry Brace

 One of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra’s teachings that I have particularly appreciated is that God is one, Dharma is one, and Prophets are the same though in different embodiments. I recently came across something written by Swedenborg (born L688) that exemplifies this in comparison with Sri Sri Thakur’s teachings; This is because it relates to the basic practices that are given with Sri Sri Thakur’s initiation--Jajan, Jaajan, and Istabhriti.

         In the book “True Christian Religion” Swedenborg discusses the Ten Commandments, which are important in both Jewish and Christian traditions. He notes that the commandments when given to Moses were inscribed on two tablets, the first one with commandments related to God, and the second one with commandments related to us. Along with this, he mentions something Jesus said in response to a question about how to live: “You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind, and your neighbour as yourself. The Law and the Prophets hinge on these two commandments. “ The Law and the Prophets that Jesus mentioned refer to the scriptures ( including the Ten Commandments and other rules for living) from his own Jewish tradition, and the guidance on how to live that he gave was also quoted from those scriptures. It is like a distillation from voluminous writings and innumerable human experiences to obtain the essence of what is important.

Although the way of doing so may have been different at the time of the Ten Commandments, the point of the commandments about God seems to be that people should make God preeminent or central in life. The point of the commandments about us seems to be that people should not do harmful things to one another. The commandment, cited by Jesus himself as the summation of the

Law brings out something perhaps deeper about the Ten Commandments; that following them means that we are to actually love God and treat each other lovingly.

    The practices of Jajan, Jaajan and Istabhriti, as taught by Sri Sri Thakur, can be seen in the light of the basic importance of loving God whole-heartedly and loving one’s neighbour as oneself.

 Jajan is described as activity that enhances self elevation or that enhances one’s own rife and growth in accordance with one’s Ideal. “The Ideal” has a great depth and range of meaning, but the meaning relevant here is the person through and in whom one finds God. The practices involved in Jajan that Sri SriThakur has given us, such as Nam- Dhyan and Japa, are there to make it possible for us to actually experience a whole-hearted love for God. So jajan provides a way to fulfil the aspect of the commandment that relates to God.

                The practice of Istabhriti also contributes to the fulfilment of the commandment to love God. As Sri Sri Thakur has clarified, it is by doing something of service to a person that love for that person grows. As he points out in the ”Satyanusaran,” a mother’s love for her child is so great because she takes care of her child with her own hands. The practice of Istabhriti could be said to make doing something practical for the ideal the top priority of rife; hence it is a key to helping fulfil the aspect of the commandment that relates to God, helping love for God to grow.

         Jaajan refers to activity to contribute to the life and growth of others, or more broadly, of our environment. This is virtually the same as the second aspect of the commandment , love “your neighbour as yourself.” if we love ourselves, we take

Care of ourselves physically and spiritually. Sri Sri Thakur makes it clear with repeated emphasis that “love” means doing something that actually does some good for others, not just talking, thinking, or feeling something. It is interesting that the two tablets of the Ten Commandments are usually depicted as one piece with two sides or parts. This seems quite fitting symbolically. Jesus said that in so far as we have clothed, fed, or visited others who were in need, we have done so for him. Sri Sri Thakur fed and materially helped innumerable people; but when asked why he didn’t publicize his charitable works, he said something to the effect that a

Father doesn’t publicize the fact that he takes care of family members. It seems that if we really live according to either side of the tablets, we must be living according to the other side also. As far as others’ well-being doesn’t matter to me, I am lacking in love for God; as far as it does matter, I am not lacking--whether I know it or not.

Kerry Brace  USA