PASTOR'S LETTER
MARCH 20, 2005
WAS RAMAKRISHNA FAIR?

In view of the discussion of yesterday, and having prayed much over night, I've made a decision to open my door to devotees. We will have a pow wow in July this year, if anyone is interested. You will come here from wherever you are and spend the days for a week, overnighting in local motels. If this interests you, let me know. I will need your real name, phone number, and a little bit about your intentions with the idea that I need to know you are serious about God and want to look to me as your guru.

Decisions have to be made, and I have made mine. Now you have to make yours.

Now speaking once again about Ramakrishna, I am going to continue my gripes about him. I recall reading another thing that incensed me terribly, which was so discriminating against women. He had two people visit him, a woman and a man, at different times. The man was a terrible drunk and spent much time in brothels. He'd come to Ramakrishna, still drunk, mumbling about reformation and the like, and Ramakrishna was very tolerant of him and said he'd straighten out. But a lady came to visit him, whom the book says, "had led a sinful life." She touched Ramakrishna's feet in worship, and he recoiled in horror, like something filthy had touched him. Why the drunk brothel goer is alright, but the woman is repulsive?

Then the story of Rani Rasmani. She was from the "untouchable" caste, but was a millionaire. She built a series of temples for Mother Kali on the bank of the Ganges near Calcutta. She hired Ramakrishna as a priest, but he couldn't cut the mustard as he would go into trances in the middle of the ceremony. He was basically incapable of earning a living or operating on the normal level because he was falling into trances at odd times - whenever anything reminded him of God. He once saw an English boy with black riding boots, leaning up against a tree, and thinking he saw Lord Krishna, fell into a deep trance. Stuff like that.

Rani Rasmani gave Ramakrishna a place to live for life, and her son-in-law, Mathur Babu, supported him, (being totally devoted to him). Not only that, Ramakrishna's mother and wife also lived at the temple, free of charge, I'm assuming.

Was he grateful to Rani Rasmani? One day he saw her in the temple, making flower petals for the Kali statue, daydreaming. As a rebuke to her, for daydreaming, he walked right up to her and SLAPPED HER! Of course, being a woman in an evil Patriarchal society and obviously a great soul, Rani Rasmani took no revenge. She let Ramakrishna continue staying there, supporting him and treating him with respect. But why did he slap her? He wasn't going around slapping the men. Again, this is his disrespectful way of treating his benefactor, because she is a woman.

Then there was the wandering nun, or Bhairavi. It was she who decided Ramakrishna was an Avatar, as he had the five marks of one, she said. She called together a council of sages from all around India, and they in a meeting decided she was right and declared him an avatar. Yet, Ramakrishna took all these things for granted and did not seem to offer her any special respect. He treated her in an offhand manner. Yet, everyone just about, treated Ramakrishna like he was special. That is of course the nature of their society. Men are treated better, and spiritual men are treated well, as saints were in Medieval times in the West.

Enough bad stuff about Ramakrishna. I must add that he said many things that were really great and brought many people to God, and he was of God. He has been an inspiration to me, also.

Remember, devotees. Only one thing is necessary. This world and all its worries and pleasures is temporary. Get ready for eternal life. It is coming soon!

 

Rasa Von Werder March 20, 2005

 

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