Dayamrita
Swami
sent the
following
FAQ to
help
answer
the many
questions
people
have regarding Amma's
recent
instruction that
we not
have any
type of
open
flames
at
satsang
programs.
1.
What
does
open
flame
refer
to?
This
means no
oil
lamps,
no
candles,
and no
burning
camphor.
No flame
of any
type.
2.
Does
this
apply to
private
homes?
May
I light
a lamp,
candle or
camphor
in my
home
puja
room?
Amma did
not give
any
instructions
against it,
but she
always reminds
us to be
careful,
and to
make
sure not
to leave
it
burning
when you
leave the
house.
3. Do we
know why
Amma
said
this?
Was
there a
particular
reason?
We
never
know why
Amma
says
something
at a
particular
time.
She has
given us
many
instructions
which do
not make
sense to
us at
the
beginning,
but
later on
we
understand
why. We
DO know
that
Amma's
requests
are
always
out of
love and
concern
for Her
children.
4. May
we still
sing
Arati
and use
an Arati
tray?
Certainly
it is
fine to
do so (but
NO candles,
burning
wicks or
camphor).
We can
sing
Arati,
ring the
bell,
and use
a tray.
If you
wish--there
are some
small
battery
powered
lights,
and
electric
lights
that
might be
appropriate
for use
on the
altar
and for
Arati.
Whoever
finds
useful
ones can
pass the
information.
5. How
will we
find out
if there
are more
answers,
or if
this
changes?
Any
new
instructions
or
information
will be
sent out
immediately.