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Sri Aurobindo
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ASHRAM
1. Always behave as if the Mother was looking at you; because she is indeed,
always present.
2. All new-comers and persons connected with them are hereby informed that
every new arrival to the Ashram is to be reported to Purani on the same
day in order to furnish information for the Police.
3. There have been several instances recently in which members of the Ashram
have been rude and over-bearing in their behaviour to the French Police
when they come to the Ashram in connection with the registration of new
arrivals. There can be no possible excuse for this kind of conduct, especially
as the police authorities have agreed to our own proposals in the matter
and we have undertaken to help them with all necessary informations. Sri
Aurobindo has already given a warning against making trouble for the Ashram
with the authorities; it ought not to be necessary to repeat it.
Especial care must be taken during these days when many are arriving from
outside. If the. police come for information, they must not be sent rudely
away; they should be asked to wait and information be given to Purani who
will deal with the matter.
4. Food and other requirements are given in the Ashram to those who have
made a complete surrender of their means to the Mother and receive only
what she gives to them. If anyone receives money from outside and keeps
it, it will be understood that he wishes to live on his own independent
means and does not need anything from the Ashram and arrangements will be
made accordingly.
5. Furniture purchased by a temporary inmate for personal use remains a
property of the Ashram when he leaves the place. He cannot take it with
him nor claim it back when he comes again.
6. Nothing should be sent out for publication (contributions to newspapers
and magazines or books) without having been first submitted to Sri Aurobindo
for approval.
7. Sri Aurobindo's work is purely spiritual. Anyone entering the Ashram
as a member must abstain from political connections or activities.
8. The moment one enters the life of the Ashram and takes up the Yoga he
ceases to belong to any creed or caste or race; he is one of Sri Aurobindo's
disciples and nothing else. Race prejudices, caste feeling, pride of sect
or contempt of other religions have no place here. Every sadhak should remember
this in his thought and speech and dealings with the others.
9. Visitors from outside should not be received in the Ashram by the sadhaks
except under special circumstances and by permission. Infringement of this
rule may have very inconvenient consequences for the work.
10. Nothing should be spoken to outsiders as to what passes in the Ashram
without special permission from the Mother.
11. Outsiders should not be allowed within the precincts of any of the houses
of the Ashram. If anyone wishes to see the Ashram, it can be done only after
special permission from the Mother.
12. Rule No. 4 applies only to permanent members of the Ashram. Those who
stay only for a time must contribute to the expenses a monthly sum to be
fixed by the Mother.
13. Permanent members of the Ashram are expected to undertake some part
of the work necessary for its organisation and maintenance. The nature of
the work to be given to them will be decided by the Mother. Those who reside
temporarily may also assist while they are here.
14. This Ashram, maintaining almost a hundred people, has to be run at a
heavy expense; it is therefore the understanding that while those who have
nothing (the majority) are admitted free and nothing is asked from them,
the few who have something are expected to give what they have. If they
wish to have the charge of their whole spiritual and material future taken
over by us, it is at least fair that they should make the offering of all
their possessions.
December 1, 1929
SRI AUROBINDO
in "Champaklal's Treasures", pages 128-130
published by Sri
Aurobindo Ashram - Pondicherry - 1976 |