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What is freemasonry and how is Charity
connected with it? There is a simple answer to these
questions even when you ask someone to join or become
a member in freemasonry. Masons feel that it is necessary
to understand and explain the objects of freemasonry
fully while interviewing a candidate to join as a member
of this fraternity.
We all agree that it is a society of noble men, which
strongly believes in the “Fatherhood of God and
Brotherhood of Man”. This unique institution, when
compared to other organizations existing in this fast-paced
world, clearly propagates the philosophy, principles
and practice of equality among its members, to avoid
causes for division and strife, shun ego and work for
the upliftment of humanity with disciplined and righteous
living. Its concepts are based on age long experiences
of mankind and the wisdom gained and communicated by
the wise persons from time immemorial and contained
in the Holy scriptures of practically all the religions
of our world. We invoke the blessings of the almighty
during the ceremonies in freemasonry. The message it
has, is goodwill towards men, peace on earth and glory
to God in the highest possible way. Swami Vivekananda,
Rajagopalachari, Moti Lal Nehru and several other dignitaries
in India were said to be the initiates of our order.
It would be worthwhile to remind here again, that freemasonry
is a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory
and illustrated by symbols, which professes and reaffirms
faith in God, to serve mankind with true dedication
and thus bind oneself and enjoy the love, concord and
fraternal affection on equal footing and same level
with all the brethren who are masons irrespective of
the difference in religious, ethnic, social, cultural,
educational and professional status. This unity in diversity
brings him closer to other masons furthermore and that’s
what freemasonry educates and reminds during the ceremonies
and ritual portions delivered to the candidates. In
the “Charge after Initiation” it substantiates
the duties a mason owes to himself, the society, the
nation and the whole mankind. Charity is essentially
a fundamental requirement deeply connected and practiced
by its members whole-heartedly, for the benefit of the
society in general and masons in particular.
Human nature in to-day’s world has changed to
nourish self-interest, which urges for the fulfillment
of one’s desires and demands at any cost. Masonry
on the other hand teaches us to regulate actions, limit
desires, share the brotherly love, joys and sorrows
of the living beings by imbibing and inculcating the
qualities and virtues of Prudence, Justice, Logic, Obedience,
Temperance, Tolerance, Fortitude, Relief, Truth, Love
& Affection, Fidelity, Wisdom, Watchfulness, Discretion
and above all practice the dignified beneficence called
benevolence i.e. Charity.
A great world-renowned author and also a mason himself,
Bro. Norman Vincent Peale has redefined masonry in his
articles which when reworded gives the real meaning
as follows: -
Masonry is kindness and fidelity at home.
Masonry is honesty, sincerity of truthfulness in professional
relationship.
Masonry is compassion, help and assistance to weaker
sections in life through charity.
Masonry is reverence and obedience to God.
Masonry is a reward to make a good man a better man
in life.
Only men of lawful age and of good report are admitted
into masonry on their own freewill and accord who then
keep progressing in the science and rewarded in due
course.
Several candidates after joining masonry being apprehensive
of the fact that whether it is a practical step to act
upon or adopt whatever was explained in the ceremony,
where is it laid down and how one should follow all
the good teachings heard by them? The answer convinces
and satisfies them that it is laid down in the annals
of a faithful practice. The practice of our teachings
works as a springboard to come up in life successfully.
This is what freemasonry asks us to adapt, adopt and
improve.
CHARITY – An important aspect of FREEMASONRY.
The practice of Charity is one of the fundamental principles
of this progressive fraternity.
The ceremonies of all the degrees in freemasonry impress
the candidates on CHARITY as this teaches every member
to help and assist a brother during the time of his
distress and be generous in benevolence, an important
and a peculiar characteristic and cardinal virtue of
our fraternity. The summons every month carries the
item “To honour the cause of Charity” and
that goes to show how important Charity is in freemasonry.
Charity has deeper roots in a freemason’s heart.
An awakening comes to members through the ceremonies
and thus different lodges in all regions of the country
undertake several projects for charitable purposes.
The estimation is that Masonic lodges in India contribute
and utilize a sum of more than rupees ten lakhs annually
towards charity.
Let us examine the necessity and importance of Charity
and how it helps in one’s lifetime to be charitable.
Swami Vivekananda, who was also a mason said” Three
things are necessary to make any man great and any nation
great:
1. Conviction of the powers of goodness.
2. Absence of jealousy and suspicion.
3. Benevolence—Helping all who are trying to be
and do good. The road to the Good is the roughest and
steepest in the universe. So many succeed and so many
fall, but character has to be established through a
thousand stumbles”.
Scriptures from the religions of every faith teach
us about benevolence and ask us to follow three essential
acts to be performed regularly. First, to say prayers
to the almighty, Secondly, to exercise the virtue of
to-getherness to benefit society, and thirdly to practice
charity to all living beings. Through ages, the humanity
has adopted these virtues to survive in adverse circumstances
and freemasonry has encouraged this philosophy furthermore.
In order to substantiate this fact, it will not be out
of place to mention about the charges delivered to candidates
from our ritual manuals, during our ceremonies in craft
and other degrees. There are many portions, which emphasize
on the importance of charity. The essence of “
Charge in the North East”, in the first degree
is to deeply drive home the practice of charity.
Similarly, in other superior degrees the candidates
are asked to practice charity with compassion for love
and relief to the distressed brethren. Freemasonry may
not be a charitable institution on its own but provides
a strong base to become charitable. This also strengthens
a person’s heart to be generous and be soft towards
every human being during one’s approach for any
kind of help particularly during a bad period in life.
The soothing effect it gives to the soul of a donor
or beneficiary cannot be expressed in words but the
fact remains that both of them enjoy the satisfaction
and blessings of the almighty alike.
The famous novelist Charles Dickens wrote, “Charity
begins at Home and justice begins next door”, but
freemasonry believes in charity that begins from a freemason’s
heart and justice begins and benefit goes to many doors
to save many lives from miseries. This is why every
lodge has special charity collections made regularly,
which are used to fund useful and meaningful projects
and help to individuals. We can observe from the projects
completed which are the living examples to prove this
fact that contributions made by masons in cash or kind,
have been utilized in proper way to the majestic looks
of the dilapidated Masonic structures or buildings in
cities either by way of renovation or new constructions
of temples and no doubt these reflect well and bring
satisfaction to all who contribute for this noble cause
and are very helpful to masons for holding meetings
in comfort. There are a number of Charitable projects
which perhaps every lodge has either it’s own or
those sponsored by other lodges and assisted by masons
from different regions of the country. Even the Grand
Lodge of India as well as the regional grand lodges
put their mite to fund such projects, which are worthwhile
and provide relief to a wide society of the downtrodden
and weaker sections on human grounds. In addition to
this, masonic charity has left an indelible impression
on the minds of philanthropists across the world, which
has gone to the extent of rehabilitating the badly affected
families of fishermen during Tsunami floods havoc in
India as well as other Asian countries. Masonic fraternity
was second to none and rose to the occasion on its own
to provide shelters to the badly affected and displaced
poor communities. This virtue was practiced by masons
in our country and adopted the housing projects first,
which has won many a hearts. Besides the rehabilitation
projects for the affected families during natural calamities,
masons have come out to the rescue of slum dwellers
in the cities with various other projects. To mention
some, there have been free medical camps organized by
member doctors, arranged for poor children, their parents
or neighbourers who could not afford to go to hospitals
for treatments. Members associated with projects for
medical aids or those who spend their valuable time
to assist the doctors, can be also called as donors
for such devotion of spending their valuable time for
relief is certainly a part of charity.
Charity can be defined in other forms also, that need
not be only monetary help or donations in cash. To name
a few other ways, which can be termed as charity are:
Educating a student by assisting with books, knowledge,
tuitions, scholarships, conveyance, school bags, furniture,
a study room, food, household goods, electrical fittings,
stationery, clothes or any such need which fulfils the
requirements of education. According to the Upanishads,
a sound advice given to a student is equal to charity.
Even
Providing relief to aged men and women or orphans residing
in “Old age homes” and orphanages respectively
is a valuable contribution for charity. Benevolence
cannot be confined to humans alone; it should be extended
to all living beings.
The scriptures of all religions prevailing in the universe
advise us, as to why one should be charitable and how
it helps in this birth. The sublime and comprehensive
divine precepts of Vedas, the oldest scriptures preach
the importance of charity that one should earn with
both hands but donate with many hands i.e. to be more
generous for the cause of charity. Charity immensely
helps and has a special significance to achieve salvation—called
MOKSHA, thus to come out of the cycles of births and
deaths, but to reach this stage one has to observe some
of the prescribed rituals, which, when practiced along
with charity infuse the confidence needed to work towards
this goal. Upanishads emphasize the need for sacrifices
by humans and one of the virtues mentioned therein is
“Sacrifice through Charity- anything which is in
excess of your requirement should be donated to others
who need it, be it food, clothes, or money. One should
not remain satisfied with one’s own progress in
life but derive satisfaction in the welfare of all”.
Charity should never be preferred as publicity but a
genuine help without expectation for name and fame is
recognized by the almighty in its true meaning of Karma
(action), according to our saints who have sacrificed
their lives and gave us the practical & spiritual
guidance.
Prophet Mohammed in Holy Koran says: Every good act
is charity, an exhortation of your fellowman to virtuous
deeds, is equal to alms giving; assisting the blind
man is charity.
Zend Avesta mentions: Happiness and immortality will
be the lot of the faithful and charitable person.
Buddhism describes Charity as an act of non-violence
by sacrificing for others in whatever way possible,
with a minimal requirement of living for own self and
giving the rest to the needy, an accomplishment and
regular practice of charity for all fellow mortals.
Jainism gives a great importance to Charity. Even supplying
drinking water to thirsty is an act of charity. Fulfilling
the desires of pilgrims with food, clothing and shelter
is considered charity. Teaching non-violence to all
communities is another virtue for charity.
Bible confirms that Charity blesses a donor fully,
to get rid of sins committed inadvertently. A mere assurance
of assistance should bring smile on the face of the
recipient and fills the heart with joy for God looketh
at the heart.
Simon Jenkins, a journalist from United States of America,
writes on the virtue of philanthropy that” 19th
century was the age of capitalism, the 20th century
of socialism, but it seems, 21st century will be the
age of Charity”, as business stalwarts around the
world like Mr. Warren Buffet and Mr. Bill Gates will
surpass the earlier established charitable foundations
and keep the world wonderstruck with the financial aids
for relieving sufferings and diseases prevailing at
present” This thought for charity will touch hearts
of millions, which will perhaps remain unmatched for
years in the modern history. Robert E.Farley—a
poet, in his collections titled “ Think Happiness”
says, “Charity is a blessing- chance to serve others.
Think of the service you may render, not of serving
self alone; think of happiness of others, and in this
you will find your own!” Let this awakening come
to the rest of the world thoughtfully, of course without
racial prejudice. Freemasonry, on similar lines, urges
to practice charity and feels that, the more you give
for the noble causes, the more you gain. Undoubtedly,
blessings thus received from the core of the recipients’
heart will certainly help in some part of life. This
again, is a proven fact. Our dignified institution called
freemasonry has balanced the materialistic lives of
brethren with spiritualism, regulated their actions
to limit desires to practice charity. Masonry has been
there in the past; it is here in the present and shall
be there in future to guide men who believe in love,
peace and harmony.
In conclusion, from time immemorial, freemasonry has
been a way of life and provides a great opportunity
to practice charity too, as this is an inseparable or
rather an integral part and Masonic ornament of the
fraternity. The effort has to be there to rope in the
present generation into its fold with constant enrolment
and expansion by inviting the prospective candidates
to join this wonderful fraternity and thus become a
forerunner among other organizations to spread the message
of universal brotherhood through practice of charity.
The progress of masonry along with Charity as one of
the cardinal virtues must continue together in real
meanings of Hope, Relief, Brotherly Love and Obedience
to the Great Architect of the universe.
Looking back with pride what masonry has achieved
so far and looking ahead with confidence on an optimistic
note that Freemasonry will rejuvenate and keep many
hearts throbbing with joy and enthusiasm through Charity
for years to come satisfies its members and well wishers
alike.
Acknowledgements:
1.The Rig Veda
2.What is Freemasonry-Fred J.W.Crowe 3.Fountainhead
of Religion – Dr.Ganga Prasad
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