Spiritual Unity Conference in Vail
On Friday evening 23 June here in Vail, Colorado I was the opening speaker at a spiritual unity conference. The noble goal of the conference, expertly organized by Andrew Waters (one of our readers), was to promote unity in an age of increasing fragmentization and conflict. Although I addressed the issue of global conflict resolution explaining how the respiritualization of the entire human society was the only practical means for achieving this end, the other speakers (a Buddhist, a Christian, and a Muslim) did not tie in their presentations with the goal of the conference.
We were told such things as the purpose of life is unknowable (by the Buddhist), we have to wait 50,000 years to enter into Paradise (by the Muslim), and that killing animals is not prohibited by God (by the Christian).
But if we don't know our purpose as the Buddhist explained, how can we function at all, how can we do anything? We would be like a ship without a rudder. The Vedic wisdom clearly and intelligently describes the purpose of our existence. This is practical.
And if God is compassionate and merciful, as our Muslim speaker explained, why would He make us wait for 50,000 years to enter paradise? A Krishna conscious person can enter into paradise immediately even while he is still living within his present material body. The Muslim gentleman also said that we should kill animals in such a that they do not suffer. But that is not possible. Being killed is a miserable experience. It does not matter whether the knife is sharp or dull.
How we can establish that God does not prohibit killing, as the Christian minister explained, when God directly states in the Bible, "Thou shalt not kill."? How can we ever have global conflict resolution as long was we continue to cruelly inflict suffering upon the innocent animals in the slaughterhouses? It is not possible. What goes around, comes around. As you sow, so shall you reap.
It was very clear to see from this conference that if we are actually going to bring about global conflict resolution, we certainly have our work cut out for us. But because Krishna is indeed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His teachings, if widely disseminated and clearly understood, will in fact respiritualize the entire planetary society. We have simply to continue practicing and presenting His sublime teachings with sincerity and with intelligence to everyone. Everyone will be the winners.
Respectfully it is submitted that the verse your good self quoted from the Bhagavad-gita according to my understanding emphasizes on the love and devotion towards Krishna. And if things such as a leaf, flower, fruit or water are offered with love and devotion it is acceptable to Him instead of heavy or expensive food or items without any spirit of love and devotion. And just to show of the world, even if the vegetarian food is offered without the spirit of love and affection it is not acceptable to Him as Krishna only sees the heart and not the show offs. Moreover He does not say not to offer or ban the consumption of meat, fish, or eggs. I think if this stuff is also offered to Him with love or devotion He will not refuse it. After all, these are His creations made for the benefit of humanity.
Thanks and regards,
Azhar
na dadyad amisam sraddhe
na cadyad dharma-tattvavit
muny-annaih syat para pritir
yatha na pasu-himsaya
"A person fully aware of religious principles should never offer anything like meat, eggs or fish in the sraddha ceremony, and even if one is a ksatriya, he himself should not eat such things. When suitable food prepared with ghee is offered to saintly persons, the function is pleasing to the forefathers and the Supreme Lord, who are never pleased when animals are killed in the name of sacrifice."
--Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.8
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
We were told such things as the purpose of life is unknowable (by the Buddhist), we have to wait 50,000 years to enter into Paradise (by the Muslim), and that killing animals is not prohibited by God (by the Christian).
But if we don't know our purpose as the Buddhist explained, how can we function at all, how can we do anything? We would be like a ship without a rudder. The Vedic wisdom clearly and intelligently describes the purpose of our existence. This is practical.
And if God is compassionate and merciful, as our Muslim speaker explained, why would He make us wait for 50,000 years to enter paradise? A Krishna conscious person can enter into paradise immediately even while he is still living within his present material body. The Muslim gentleman also said that we should kill animals in such a that they do not suffer. But that is not possible. Being killed is a miserable experience. It does not matter whether the knife is sharp or dull.
How we can establish that God does not prohibit killing, as the Christian minister explained, when God directly states in the Bible, "Thou shalt not kill."? How can we ever have global conflict resolution as long was we continue to cruelly inflict suffering upon the innocent animals in the slaughterhouses? It is not possible. What goes around, comes around. As you sow, so shall you reap.
It was very clear to see from this conference that if we are actually going to bring about global conflict resolution, we certainly have our work cut out for us. But because Krishna is indeed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His teachings, if widely disseminated and clearly understood, will in fact respiritualize the entire planetary society. We have simply to continue practicing and presenting His sublime teachings with sincerity and with intelligence to everyone. Everyone will be the winners.
Answers According to the Vedic Version
Question: Vegetarian Non-Vegetarian...
Respected Sir,Respectfully it is submitted that the verse your good self quoted from the Bhagavad-gita according to my understanding emphasizes on the love and devotion towards Krishna. And if things such as a leaf, flower, fruit or water are offered with love and devotion it is acceptable to Him instead of heavy or expensive food or items without any spirit of love and devotion. And just to show of the world, even if the vegetarian food is offered without the spirit of love and affection it is not acceptable to Him as Krishna only sees the heart and not the show offs. Moreover He does not say not to offer or ban the consumption of meat, fish, or eggs. I think if this stuff is also offered to Him with love or devotion He will not refuse it. After all, these are His creations made for the benefit of humanity.
Thanks and regards,
Azhar
Answer: Meat is Prohibited...
If Krishna had wanted us to offer Him meat, fish, and eggs, He would have asked for them. He specifically requested foods from the vegetarian category. This point is confirmed as follows in the Srimad Bhagavatam:na dadyad amisam sraddhe
na cadyad dharma-tattvavit
muny-annaih syat para pritir
yatha na pasu-himsaya
"A person fully aware of religious principles should never offer anything like meat, eggs or fish in the sraddha ceremony, and even if one is a ksatriya, he himself should not eat such things. When suitable food prepared with ghee is offered to saintly persons, the function is pleasing to the forefathers and the Supreme Lord, who are never pleased when animals are killed in the name of sacrifice."
--Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.8
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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