At AVM we do not lay rules but everybody understands and confirms to these unwritten rules. As Tavayogi once told me that the spirit cannot be curtailed. It has to be free. Free to investigate and learn. No amount of doctrine can satisfy the spirit. All the philosophical thoughts and discussions will give one an idea of what Erai isn't but would not show him. He has to be experienced. That is Anubhuthi. J. Krishnamurthy too said that the moment one organizes spiritualism it becomes religion. He has a story for it.
“You may remember the story of how the devil and a friend of his were walking down the street, when they saw ahead of them a man stoop down and pick up something from the ground, look at it, and put it away in his pocket. The friend said to the devil, “What did that man pick up?” “He picked up a piece of Truth,” said the devil. “That is a very bad business for you, then,” said his friend. “Oh, not at all,” the devil replied, “I am going to let him organize it." - Source: http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/about-krishnamurti/dissolution-speech.php
Being vegetarian is not a criteria here, instead being compassionate is a value we strive for. The term vegetarian was coined to identify an alternative set and choice in food intake. What was in existence since early times was the classification of food into three major groups: Sattvic food, Tamasic food, and Rajasic food. Along the way we have lost our focus on the need to be compassionate but instead wage a war on the choice of food.
What we should work on is compassion rather then squabbling on the choice of food. When compassion for all living beings sets in, the killing automatically stops, consuming meat stops, harming others stops, and all the negative traits drops on its own without compulsion from others or from outside. I decided to refrain from consuming meat, seafood and egg all of a sudden. There was no compulsion; the change in my choice of food intake was not because I took up a certain practice or doctrine. The desire just dropped on its own one fine day.
At AVM we do not debate on the necessity of being a vegetarian to be spiritual or religious; neither do we see consumption of mock meat, an option to meat, as a weakness in us, being a slave to our taste buds or consider it as cheating oneself.
We believe everyone is divine in nature, as Buddha says all living beings have Buddha nature in it. In our search for the kingdom of Erai, we are told to prepare ourselves, physically and mentally, through a strict regime of exercises and tapas, for the divine to enter this body, but a Sufi master says otherwise, "Let the light in and the darkness will vanish on its own." How true and logical. When the divine enters us all else will leave or subside on its own. The grace or arul of the divine will work from within and bring changes to our perspective, our outlook and choices. That is when we begin to take control of our destiny and fate. Our choices will be the divines choice too. Each act of us will be a divine act then.
To come to AVM itself means that you already possess the values of right living. An atheist would not step into AVM; neither will one with ill intent. What we need to work on collectively is to bring out the compassion in us through the divine act of giving, doing charity and caring. We believe we need to hit the streets and save the others from delusion, hunger and sorrow rather than sit in the confines and comfort of the ashram or the temple and listen to speeches about being good and doing good. As NS Shan once said, he respected AVM for walking the walk and talking the talk. We shall take the lead and show others the many possibilities available in serving Erai through serving others.
We understand that it is time we gave back to nature and society. When I questioned Tavayogi what was the necessity to build a temple complex at Kallar, he replied that it was not for him but for progeny and the society. Tavayogi too told me that he was carrying out the annual Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam at Kallar ashram to alleviate the sufferings of society and to subdue the ferocity of nature and heal her. When I dragged my feet in carrying out the fire ritual or homam as directed by Tavayogi, Agathiyar in the Nadi tells me that I was doing it for the well being of all of creation, hence elevating the task given to me to a higher level and a wider circle.
Agathiyar comforts and wipes the tears of Tavayogi's daughter when she was saddened to hear that her father was to become a wandering mendicant or turavi. Agathiyar in a Nadi reading for her explains in simple terms to this small child that if her father was to be with her, he would only serve her family. But if he was to become a turavi, he would serve all of humanity.
We understand that it is time we gave back to nature and society. When I questioned Tavayogi what was the necessity to build a temple complex at Kallar, he replied that it was not for him but for progeny and the society. Tavayogi too told me that he was carrying out the annual Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam at Kallar ashram to alleviate the sufferings of society and to subdue the ferocity of nature and heal her. When I dragged my feet in carrying out the fire ritual or homam as directed by Tavayogi, Agathiyar in the Nadi tells me that I was doing it for the well being of all of creation, hence elevating the task given to me to a higher level and a wider circle.
Agathiyar comforts and wipes the tears of Tavayogi's daughter when she was saddened to hear that her father was to become a wandering mendicant or turavi. Agathiyar in a Nadi reading for her explains in simple terms to this small child that if her father was to be with her, he would only serve her family. But if he was to become a turavi, he would serve all of humanity.
People from all walks of life gather at AVM. The bond that links us is the master to whom we chose to pay allegiance, the most compassionate father Agathiyar. The talk at AVM is only on Agathiyan; no politics, no current affairs, and no condemnation of others, hence managing to build a conducive environment for positive energy to prevail.
AVM is not an organization or society. It is a loose group of devotees and aspirants carrying out the dictates of Agathiyar. There is no physical guru to head AVM but we all acknowledge the presence of Agathiyar and see him work through us.
Acharya Gurudasan mentioned his observation in our group, "AVM is not just a group. It's fascinating to see how we have become a silent movement. Kudos to everyone. Very proud being a part here."
We at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia offer ourselves in service to Agathiyar. We wait for his word and command.