The Christian preacher²⁸

A few days ago I went to a bookstore. I didn’t buy any books, but I bought a few tapes because I wanted to hear what is required to be a “first-class Christian.” I was eager to hear the sermon of the great preacher, so I played the tape while I was taking exercise.

I couldn’t believe how he was criticising Indian spiritual Masters. He said that those who practised Indian-type meditation are possessed by Satan. In fifteen minutes you heard Satan’s name more than God’s Name. ‘Satan’ came in every sentence — not God.

Transcendental Meditation in particular he attacked like anything. He said, “If meditation is something worthwhile, why are they not practising it in India? Why do they have to come to the West?”

So, while listening, I was answering his rhetorical questions. I was saying, “You fool! The Christian missionaries came to us in India to teach us. We were their favourite students. Why did they not stay in the West with their religion? You felt you had something worthwhile to teach us, and we learned devotedly. Now, whatever we have that is worthwhile, we have come here to teach you. So what is wrong?”

Like that I talked to him. The Christian evangelists forget that they also go to distant lands to spread their light! The Transcendental Meditation people should hear this tape!

I never learn! One tape was not enough. I started listening to another tape. There also the preacher had nothing else to do but attack the Indian meditation teachers. Perhaps we are the culprits. We have probably taken some of his people into our fold. So what else can he do? Now he has to use his preaching power to take away some of the passengers from our boats.

Two or three years ago when I went to that bookstore, the owner, an old man, was very unkind to me. I used to go with a shopping bag, but he wouldn’t allow me to carry the shopping bag inside the room. I had to leave it at the door. Always he believed I was going to steal something.

Now I have got a promotion. The new owner is very nice to me, although he doesn’t know who I am. When I left my shopping bag at the door, he said, “No, you can take it in.”

So I bought sixteen dollars worth of tapes.