From: robertmcel@aol.com (ROBERTMCEL)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.eckankar
Subject: The IMPORTANT TRUTH about DEPARTED Masters
Date: 2 May 1995 04:14:22 -0400
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Lines: 46


                   The IMPORTANT TRUTH about DEPARTED Masters

               "A vital difference exists between the Mahanta and a 
          departed Master [such as Jesus Christ].  The chela cannot 
          follow a Master who has left this plane and gone into the 
          other worlds.  The departed one cannot initiate anyone on the 
          spiritual path.  He has nothing now to do with the earth 
          world.... 
               "No child can get nourishment from a deceased mother, 
          nor a sick man from a departed doctor.  The Masters of the 
          past ages have left this field of action and so their work 
          here is finished....  The SUGMAD cannot instruct, or give man 
          the needed help on the upward path, without the Mahanta in 
          human form to act as his instrument and spokesman.... 
               "Those who cling to a Master [such as Jesus Christ] who 
          has been translated from this earth are in error.  He is not 
          dead, but he has left the field of action in this region of 
          matter.  He is no longer in touch with humanity; his work is 
          elsewhere.  The discipleship of the chela must change to the 
          successor. 
               "Men must recognize that feelings provide no proof in 
          religious matters...." 

               The quotations above, from "The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book 
          One", pages 95-6, are THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTS that people, 
          ESPECIALLY Christians, NEED TO KNOW.  These facts should be 
          at least MENTIONED, if not EMPHASIZED, in ALL Eckankar 
          introductory material, and presentations to the public, and 
          in their various newsletters.  If a Christian or other person 
          voluntarily decides to read the introductory material or 
          attend a presentation, then s/he EXPECTS to be given ALL of 
          the important facts, and NONE should be withheld. 
          
               "The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book Two", page 52, COMMANDS: 
          "(The Mahdis) must show (to the world) that the disciple in 
          the human body must have a Master in the human body.  This is 
          a fixed law of the SUGMAD.". 
          

                                                Robert E. McElwaine 
                                                2nd Initiate