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[[Category:List of Vanipedia Articles - in development|2]] | |||
PAGE IN DEVELOPMENT | PAGE IN DEVELOPMENT | ||
==Equal to all living entities== | |||
<blockquote>"Thou shalt not kill." It is applicable both for human being and for animal or even for trees. Unnecessarily you cannot kill. That is sādhu. Suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām BG 5.29 . "Don't kill my brother, but you can kill my neighbors." Not like that. He is not sādhu. Sādhu is kind to all living entities.<ref>[http://vanisource.org/wiki/Lecture_on_BG_1.21-22_--_London,_July_18,_1973?terms=It%20is%20applicable%20both%20for%20human%20being%20and%20for%20animal%20or%20even%20for%20trees.%20Unnecessarily%20you%20cannot%20kill&first=In%20the%20material%20world,%20when%20one%20man%20is%20disturbed,%20he&last=toya%E1%B9%81%20yo%20me%20bhakty%C4%81%20prayacchati,%20tad%20aham%20a%E1%B9%A3n%C4%81mi%20%28BG%209.26%29. Vanisource: Lecture on BG 1.12-22 -- London, July 18, 1973]</ref></blockquote> | |||
[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/%22Thou_shalt_not_kill.%22_It_is_applicable_both_for_human_being_and_for_animal_or_even_for_trees._Unnecessarily_you_cannot_kill|VQ page ref] | |||
<blockquote>We actually see that there are many Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and religionists of other cults who adhere to their religious principles very nicely but are not equal to all living entities. Indeed, although they profess to be very religious, they kill poor animals...The sign of a devotee is that he is a friend to everyone (suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām ([[Vanisource:BG 5.29 (1972)|BG 5.29]])). A devotee will never allow a poor animal to be killed in the name of religion. This is the difference between a superficially religious person and a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.<ref>[http://vanisource.org/wiki/SB_8.8.21?terms=We%20actually%20see%20that%20there%20are%20many%20Hindus,%20Muslims,%20Christians,%20Buddhists%20and%20religionists%20of%20other%20cults%20who%20adhere%20to%20their%20religious%20principles%20very%20nicely%20but%20are%20not%20equal%20to%20all%20living%20entities&first=The%20statement%20dharma%E1%B8%A5%20kvacit%20tatra%20na%20bh%C5%ABta-sauh%E1%B9%9Bdam%20is%20very%20important&last=nothing%20before%20the%20strength%20of%20the%20Supreme%20Personality%20of%20Godhead. Vanisource: SB 8.8.21, Purport]</ref></blockquote> | |||
[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/We_actually_see_that_there_are_many_Hindus,_Muslims,_Christians,_Buddhists_and_religionists_of_other_cults_who_adhere_to_their_religious_principles_very_nicely_but_are_not_equal_to_all_living_entities|VQ page ref] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/St._Francis St. Francis] | |||
==Justifications and counter-arguments== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/The_principle_of_killing_is_forbidden_in_every_religion The principle of killing is forbidden in every religion] - - intro statement? | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/I_have_not_come_to_teach_you,_but_to_request_you_that_your_Christian_religion_prohibit_this_killing_of_animals_and_child_and_encourage_chanting_of_name_of_the_Lord I have not come to teach you, but to request you that your Christian religion prohibit this killing of animals and child and encourage chanting of name of the Lord] | |||
==="Animals have no soul"=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Animals_have_no_soul%3F_%28Books_and_Lectures%29 Animals have no soul? (Books and Lectures)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Animals_have_no_soul%3F_%28Conversations%29 Animals have no soul? (Conversations)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Symptom_of_the_soul Symptom of the soul] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Since_there_is_some_consciousness_in_all_bodies_-_whether_man_or_animal_-_we_can_understand_the_presence_of_the_soul Since there is some consciousness in all bodies - whether man or animal - we can understand the presence of the soul] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/The_animals_may_be_less_intelligent,_but_that_does_not_mean_there_is_no_soul The animals may be less intelligent, but that does not mean that there is no soul] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Sarva_yoni_means Sarva yoni means] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Krsna_claims_everyone_as_His_son._Not_only_human_society_-_the_animal_society,_bird_society,_the_beast_society,_the_plant_society,_the_aquatic_society,_all._Sarva-yonisu Krsna claims everyone as his son. Not only human society...sarva yonisu] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/How_do_you_know_that_animals_have_no_souls%3F_Animals_and_children_are_of_the_same_nature._Does_this_mean_that_the_children_of_human_society_also_have_no_souls%3F How do you know that animals have no souls? Animals and children are of the same nature. Does this mean that the children of human society also have no souls?] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Animal_has_no_soul%3F_Why%3F_What_is_the_difference_between_animal_and_man%3F_What_are_the_symptoms_of_possessing_the_soul%3F What is the difference between animal and man? What are the symptoms of possessing the soul?] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/What_is_your_metaphysical_study_about_the_living_animals_that_you_say_there_is_no_soul%3F What is your metaphysical study about the living animals that you say there is no soul?] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Now_they_have_degraded_so_much_that_they_think_that_the_embryo_has_no_soul Now they have degraded so much that they think that the embryo has no soul]- - general stmt / PD on Plotinus | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/%22There_is_no_soul_in_the_womb._When_they_come_out_then_the_soul_becomes%22_-_what_is_this_nonsense%3F "There is no soul in the womb. When they come out then the soul becomes." What is this nonsense?] | |||
==="Dominion over the animals"=== | |||
:Umāpati: In the Bible, Prabhupāda, there is a statement that many people follow, saying that, where Jehovah says, "Man shall have dominion over the animals, over the fishes and..." | |||
:Prabhupāda: That is already there. But that does not mean man should kill them. | |||
:Prof. Wolfe: And Jesus did not reverse it. | |||
:Hṛdayānanda: Just like a man has dominion over his children. | |||
:Prabhupāda: Yes. A father-mother has dominion over the children. Does it mean that he shall kill him? | |||
:Umāpati: And eat them? | |||
:Prabhupāda: Yes. This is all rascals. | |||
:Hṛdayānanda: Then they will argue that we are, we are killing plants and grains, things like that. | |||
:Prabhupāda: We are not killing anything. We are not killing anything. We devotees, we don't kill anything. Do you know that, or not? We don't kill anything. | |||
:Hṛdayānanda: They'll say we eat vegetables, they will say. | |||
:Prabhupāda: No vegetables, we don't kill. We don't kill. | |||
:Umāpati: Well, vegetables are living entities also? | |||
:Prabhupāda: Yes, but we don't kill them. We take their fruits and flowers. That does not mean it is killed. And that also we take it for Kṛṣṇa. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam (BG 9.26). So if there is any responsibility, that is Kṛṣṇa's responsibility. I am not, I am not responsible. | |||
:Hṛdayānanda: Ah, I see. | |||
:Karandhara: Fruits, vegetables and grains can be harvested without killing the plant. | |||
:Prabhupāda: Eh? No, yes, it is not killing. Grains, after grains are ripe, the tree automatically dies. | |||
:Prof. Wolfe: Śrīla Prabhupāda, isn't it so that we do not kill voluntarily. Because involuntarily, of course, we kill with every moment? We kill all the bacteria and we kill all the microbes and... | |||
:Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes. | |||
:Prof. Wolfe: And we cannot help doing that. | |||
:Prabhupāda: Therefore you have to become servant of Kṛṣṇa; you are not responsible.<ref>[http://vanisource.org/wiki/Morning_Walk_--_December_6,_1973,_Los_Angeles?terms=In%20the%20Bible,%20Prabhup%C4%81da,%20there%20is%20a%20statement%20that%20many%20people%20follow,%20saying%20that,%20where%20Jehovah%20says+Man%20shall%20have%20dominion%20over%20the%20animals,%20over%20the%20fishes%20and&first=Um%C4%81pati:%20In%20the%20Bible,%20Prabhup%C4%81da,%20there%20is%20a%20statement%20that&last=have%20to%20become%20servant%20of%20K%E1%B9%9B%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87a;%20you%20are%20not%20responsible. Vanisource: Morning Walk -- December 6, 1973, Los Angeles]</ref> | |||
<blockquote>It does not mean, "Because somebody is my subordinate, therefore I shall cut his throat or her throat." No. Just like sometimes the Christian philosophers say, "The animals are given under the control of man. Therefore they should be slaughtered." This is their philosophy. Control of man does not mean they should be slau... They should be taken care of. That is the law. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam (BG 18.44). The productive class, they should give protection to the cows. The cows are given under their protection, not that "Because the cows are given under my protection, therefore I must open a slaughterhouse and kill them." Similarly... So children under the protection of father and mother... Just like this child is sitting on the lap of... He is comfortable. But if the father thinks, "He is under my protection; therefore I shall cut throat..." Now it is going on. The abortion means that. The child is taken shelter of the mother's womb for protection, but now she is being killed. The time is so bad. You see?<ref>[http://vanisource.org/wiki/Lecture_on_SB_1.15.34_--_Los_Angeles,_December_12,_1973?terms=Just%20like%20sometimes%20the%20Christian%20philosophers%20say+The%20animals%20are%20given%20under%20the%20control%20of%20man.%20Therefore%20they%20should%20be%20slaughtered&first=So%20as%20Caitanya%20Mah%C4%81prabhu%20has%20given%20us%20to%20understand,%20that&last=That%20is%20our%20natural%20state.%20That%20is%20our%20natural%20state. Vanisource: Lecture on SB 1.15.34 -- Los Angeles, December 12, 1973]</ref></blockquote> | |||
:Prabhupāda: In the Bible, it is said the animals are given under the control of human beings, man. Is it not? They have taken it. And because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore man should open slaughterhouse and eat them? Suppose if somebody gives his son, "Sir, will you take my son? Keep him under your control." Does it mean I shall eat him? These rascals interpret in that way. Because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore there should be slaughterhouse, the animals will be killed, and they will eat. This is their interpretation of the Bible, is it not? Who knows Bible? Anyone? Nobody knows Bible? Have you forgotten? Anyway... | |||
:Devotee: In the Koran it is also said. | |||
:Prabhupāda: Huh? In the Koran also it is said, yes, that animals are under the control of man. That is naturally. Just like... | |||
:Devotee: They say it is for the purpose of eating, fish(?) are created for the purpose of eating. | |||
:Prabhupāda: That is also in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also, that jīvo jīvasya jīvanam. That we also accept. But just like jīvo jīvasya jīvanam, then why don't you eat your own son? He is also jīva. Why do you discriminate? Therefore discrimination is the better part valor. We should know, we are also eating the vegetables. What kind of jīva, living entity we shall eat, that is to be discriminated. Not that because one living entity is food for another living entity, it does not mean I shall eat my own son. I am father. We do not do that. Because we use our discrimination. | |||
:Similarly, in the human form of life there should be discrimination. We have to eat. We have to eat. Discrimination means (indistinct), that what kind of food I shall eat. Suppose the hogs, they eat stool. Does it mean because the stool is also food, I shall eat that? That is discrimination. If you say that everything is food, then why don't you eat stool? One man's food, another man's poison. That is... What is to be eaten, what is not to be eaten, that is discrimination. Now our discrimination is, because human life is meant for becoming God conscious, Kṛṣṇa conscious, we have to act in God consciousness. We have taken vow that we shall eat the remnants of foodstuff, prasāda, from Kṛṣṇa. Now, what Kṛṣṇa wants? Kṛṣṇa says patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (BG 9.26). Kṛṣṇa says "Give Me vegetable, water." "Anyone who offers Me in devotion." So we have to eat Kṛṣṇa prasādam. Although animals are meant for eating by the man. That is stated in the (indistinct). Ahastāni sahastānām apadāni catuṣ-padām. Ahastāni, they haven't got hands(?). Ahastāni. (indistinct) sahastānām, they are food of the human being. So ahastāni sahastānām apadāni catuṣ-padām. Just like the creepers, grass, and vegetables. Catuṣ-padām. They're food for the four-legged. Phalgūni jīvo jīvasya jīvanam. | |||
:So, in this way, there is order that one life is meant eaten by another. That is nature's law. But we should use discrimination what kind of foodstuff, what kind of living entities we shall eat. That Kṛṣṇa... (?). We have taken vow to eat only Kṛṣṇa's prasādam. There is something. Whatever Kṛṣṇa orders.<ref>[http://vanisource.org/wiki/Lecture_on_SB_1.10.5_--_Mayapura,_June_20,_1973?terms=In%20the%20Bible,%20it%20is%20said%20the%20animals%20are%20given%20under%20the%20control%20of%20human%20beings,%20man&first=Prabhup%C4%81da:%20In%20the%20Bible,%20it%20is%20said%20the%20animals%20are&last=eat%20only%20K%E1%B9%9B%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87a%27s%20pras%C4%81dam.%20There%20is%20something.%20Whatever%20K%E1%B9%9B%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87a%20orders. Vanisource: Lecture on SB 1.10.5 -- Mayapura, June 20, 1973]</ref> | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Because_the_animals_are_given_under_the_control_of_man,_therefore_man_should_open_slaughterhouse_and_eat_them%3F Because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore man should open slaughterhouse and eat them?] | |||
==="Jesus ate fish"=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Just_like_in_the_desert,_Arabian_Desert,_there_is_no_food,_no_grain,_for_them_animal-eating_may_be_permissible._Because_after_all,_we_have_to_live._That_is_a_different_thing Just like in the desert, Arabian desert, there is no food, no grain, for them animal-eating may be permissable...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Jesus_and_animal-killing Jesus and animal-killing] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Jesus_and_meat-eating Jesus and meat-eating] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Because_Christ_ate_fish,_therefore_we_should_maintain_big,_big_slaughterhouse%3F_Is_that_good_reasoning%3F Because Christ ate fish, therefore we should maintain big, big slaughterhouse. Is that good reasoning?] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ,_Christianity_and_the_slaughterhouse Jesus Christ, Christianity and the slaughterhouse] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/You_cannot_imitate_Jesus_Christ._You_shall_have_to_abide_by_his_order._That_is_your_position._Then_you_are_guided_by_Jesus_Christ._That_is_actually_obedience You cannot imitate Jesus Christ. you shall have to abide by his order. That is your position...] | |||
==="Thou shalt not kill"?=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Animal-killing_as_murder Animal-killing as murder] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_kill_%28Books%29 Thou shalt not kill (Books)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_kill_%28Lectures%29 Thou shalt not kill (Lectures)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_kill_%28Conversations%29 Thou shalt not kill (Conversations)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_kill_%28Letters%29 Thou shalt not kill (Letters)] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/The_question_is_the_Old_Testament,_you_say_that_there_was_the_word_%22murder.%22_Why_you_have_changed%3F_You_accept_Old_Testament_or_reject%3F The question is the Old Testament, you say that there was the word "murder"...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Old_and_New_Testaments_-_Bible Old and New Testaments - Bible] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/In_higher_sense_if_you_take_this_principle_of_Bible,_%22Thou_shalt_not_kill,%22_that_means_you_must_eat_Krsna_prasadam In the higher sense if you take this principle of Bible, "Thou shalt not kill," that means you must eat Kṛṣṇa prasādam] | |||
==="They kill, we purchase"=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/According_to_Manu-samhita,_when_an_animal_is_killed,_eight_persons_become_condemned_with_murdering_charges According to Manu-samhita, when an animal is killed, eight persons become condemned with the murdering charges] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/They_are_thinking_that_%22We_are_not_going_to_slaughterhouse_to_kill._They_kill;_we_purchase%22 They are thinking that "We are not going to the slaughterhouse to kill. They kill; we purchase"] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/In_killing_animals,_there_are_eight_kinds_of_criminals._That_he_has_explained._One_who_is_killing,_one_who_is_ordering,_one_who_is_purchasing,_one_who_is_eating,_one_who_is_cooking,_in_this_way... In killing animals, there are eight kinds of criminals...] | |||
==="One living entity is food for another"=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/One_life_is,_one_living_being_is_food_for_another_living_being._But_that_does_not_mean_that_you_shall_kill_your_son_and_eat,_and_it_will_be_supported_by_the_society One life is, one living being is food for another...] | |||
===Animal sacrifice=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/It_is_said_that_Lord_Jesus_Christ,_when_twelve_years_old,_was_shocked_to_see_the_Jews_sacrificing_birds_and_animals_in_the_synagogues_and_that_he_therefore_rejected_the_Jewish_system_of_religion It is said that Lord Jesus Christ, when twelve years old, was shocked to see the Jews sacrificing birds and animals in the synagogues...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Islam_and_animal_slaughter_or_sacrifice Islam and animal slaughter or sacrifice] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/For_those_Muslims_who_are_inclined_to_take_flesh,_it_is_recommended_that_instead_of_killing_many_small_animals,_one_big_animal_should_be_killed For those Muslims who are inclined to take flesh, it is recommended...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Just_like_in_the_desert,_Arabian_Desert,_there_is_no_food,_no_grain,_for_them_animal-eating_may_be_permissible._Because_after_all,_we_have_to_live._That_is_a_different_thing Just like in the desert, Arabian desert, there is no food, no grain, for them animal-eating may be permissable...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Discussion_between_Sri_Caitanya_Mahaprabhu_and_Chand_Kazi Discussion between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Chand Kazi] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice_in_the_name_of_religion_is_current_practically_all_over_the_world_in_every_established_religion Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every religion] | |||
*more are available: see Vivekananda page (justification from Vedic past); Buddha and Narada Muni condemn animal sacrifice (ref's from AK article); maybe some from Durga-puja quotes | |||
==="Eat whatever you like..."=== | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Meat-eating_sannyasis Meat-eating sannyasis] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Yata_mata_tata_patha Yata mata tata patha] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Ramakrishna_Mission_and_meat-eating Ramakrishna Mission and meat-eating] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Vivekananda_and_meat-eating Vivekananda and meat-eating] | |||
==References (all sections)== | |||
combine with each section | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/The_principle_of_killing_is_forbidden_in_every_religion The principle of killing is forbidden in every religion] | *[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/The_principle_of_killing_is_forbidden_in_every_religion The principle of killing is forbidden in every religion] | ||
(Christianity) | (Christianity) | ||
| Line 53: | Line 264: | ||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Old_and_New_Testaments_-_Bible Old and New Testaments - Bible] | *[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Old_and_New_Testaments_-_Bible Old and New Testaments - Bible] | ||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/In_the_Bible,_it_is_said_the_animals_are_given_under_the_control_of_human_beings,_man... In the Bible it is said the animals are given under the control of human beings, man...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/In_higher_sense_if_you_take_this_principle_of_Bible,_%22Thou_shalt_not_kill,%22_that_means_you_must_eat_Krsna_prasadam In the higher sense, if you take this principle of Bible, "Thou shalt not kill," that means you must eat Kṛṣṇa prasādam] | |||
(Islam) | (Islam) | ||
| Line 87: | Line 302: | ||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Vivekananda_and_meat-eating Vivekananda and meat-eating] | *[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Vivekananda_and_meat-eating Vivekananda and meat-eating] | ||
(Secular/Other) | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/So_what_is_the_philosophy_of_killing_animals%3F So what is the philosophy of killing animals?] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/One_life_is,_one_living_being_is_food_for_another_living_being._But_that_does_not_mean_that_you_shall_kill_your_son_and_eat,_and_it_will_be_supported_by_the_society One life is, one living being is food for another...] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Now_they_have_degraded_so_much_that_they_think_that_the_embryo_has_no_soul Now they have degraded so much that they think that the embryo has no soul] | |||
*[http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/%22There_is_no_soul_in_the_womb._When_they_come_out_then_the_soul_becomes%22_-_what_is_this_nonsense%3F "There is no soul in the womb. When they come out then the soul becomes." What is this nonsense?] | |||
==Notes== | |||
<references /> | |||
Latest revision as of 09:34, 22 April 2021
PAGE IN DEVELOPMENT
Equal to all living entities
"Thou shalt not kill." It is applicable both for human being and for animal or even for trees. Unnecessarily you cannot kill. That is sādhu. Suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām BG 5.29 . "Don't kill my brother, but you can kill my neighbors." Not like that. He is not sādhu. Sādhu is kind to all living entities.[1]
We actually see that there are many Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and religionists of other cults who adhere to their religious principles very nicely but are not equal to all living entities. Indeed, although they profess to be very religious, they kill poor animals...The sign of a devotee is that he is a friend to everyone (suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām (BG 5.29)). A devotee will never allow a poor animal to be killed in the name of religion. This is the difference between a superficially religious person and a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.[2]
Justifications and counter-arguments
- The principle of killing is forbidden in every religion - - intro statement?
"Animals have no soul"
- Now they have degraded so much that they think that the embryo has no soul- - general stmt / PD on Plotinus
"Dominion over the animals"
- Umāpati: In the Bible, Prabhupāda, there is a statement that many people follow, saying that, where Jehovah says, "Man shall have dominion over the animals, over the fishes and..."
- Prabhupāda: That is already there. But that does not mean man should kill them.
- Prof. Wolfe: And Jesus did not reverse it.
- Hṛdayānanda: Just like a man has dominion over his children.
- Prabhupāda: Yes. A father-mother has dominion over the children. Does it mean that he shall kill him?
- Umāpati: And eat them?
- Prabhupāda: Yes. This is all rascals.
- Hṛdayānanda: Then they will argue that we are, we are killing plants and grains, things like that.
- Prabhupāda: We are not killing anything. We are not killing anything. We devotees, we don't kill anything. Do you know that, or not? We don't kill anything.
- Hṛdayānanda: They'll say we eat vegetables, they will say.
- Prabhupāda: No vegetables, we don't kill. We don't kill.
- Umāpati: Well, vegetables are living entities also?
- Prabhupāda: Yes, but we don't kill them. We take their fruits and flowers. That does not mean it is killed. And that also we take it for Kṛṣṇa. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam (BG 9.26). So if there is any responsibility, that is Kṛṣṇa's responsibility. I am not, I am not responsible.
- Hṛdayānanda: Ah, I see.
- Karandhara: Fruits, vegetables and grains can be harvested without killing the plant.
- Prabhupāda: Eh? No, yes, it is not killing. Grains, after grains are ripe, the tree automatically dies.
- Prof. Wolfe: Śrīla Prabhupāda, isn't it so that we do not kill voluntarily. Because involuntarily, of course, we kill with every moment? We kill all the bacteria and we kill all the microbes and...
- Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes.
- Prof. Wolfe: And we cannot help doing that.
- Prabhupāda: Therefore you have to become servant of Kṛṣṇa; you are not responsible.[3]
It does not mean, "Because somebody is my subordinate, therefore I shall cut his throat or her throat." No. Just like sometimes the Christian philosophers say, "The animals are given under the control of man. Therefore they should be slaughtered." This is their philosophy. Control of man does not mean they should be slau... They should be taken care of. That is the law. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam (BG 18.44). The productive class, they should give protection to the cows. The cows are given under their protection, not that "Because the cows are given under my protection, therefore I must open a slaughterhouse and kill them." Similarly... So children under the protection of father and mother... Just like this child is sitting on the lap of... He is comfortable. But if the father thinks, "He is under my protection; therefore I shall cut throat..." Now it is going on. The abortion means that. The child is taken shelter of the mother's womb for protection, but now she is being killed. The time is so bad. You see?[4]
- Prabhupāda: In the Bible, it is said the animals are given under the control of human beings, man. Is it not? They have taken it. And because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore man should open slaughterhouse and eat them? Suppose if somebody gives his son, "Sir, will you take my son? Keep him under your control." Does it mean I shall eat him? These rascals interpret in that way. Because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore there should be slaughterhouse, the animals will be killed, and they will eat. This is their interpretation of the Bible, is it not? Who knows Bible? Anyone? Nobody knows Bible? Have you forgotten? Anyway...
- Devotee: In the Koran it is also said.
- Prabhupāda: Huh? In the Koran also it is said, yes, that animals are under the control of man. That is naturally. Just like...
- Devotee: They say it is for the purpose of eating, fish(?) are created for the purpose of eating.
- Prabhupāda: That is also in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also, that jīvo jīvasya jīvanam. That we also accept. But just like jīvo jīvasya jīvanam, then why don't you eat your own son? He is also jīva. Why do you discriminate? Therefore discrimination is the better part valor. We should know, we are also eating the vegetables. What kind of jīva, living entity we shall eat, that is to be discriminated. Not that because one living entity is food for another living entity, it does not mean I shall eat my own son. I am father. We do not do that. Because we use our discrimination.
- Similarly, in the human form of life there should be discrimination. We have to eat. We have to eat. Discrimination means (indistinct), that what kind of food I shall eat. Suppose the hogs, they eat stool. Does it mean because the stool is also food, I shall eat that? That is discrimination. If you say that everything is food, then why don't you eat stool? One man's food, another man's poison. That is... What is to be eaten, what is not to be eaten, that is discrimination. Now our discrimination is, because human life is meant for becoming God conscious, Kṛṣṇa conscious, we have to act in God consciousness. We have taken vow that we shall eat the remnants of foodstuff, prasāda, from Kṛṣṇa. Now, what Kṛṣṇa wants? Kṛṣṇa says patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (BG 9.26). Kṛṣṇa says "Give Me vegetable, water." "Anyone who offers Me in devotion." So we have to eat Kṛṣṇa prasādam. Although animals are meant for eating by the man. That is stated in the (indistinct). Ahastāni sahastānām apadāni catuṣ-padām. Ahastāni, they haven't got hands(?). Ahastāni. (indistinct) sahastānām, they are food of the human being. So ahastāni sahastānām apadāni catuṣ-padām. Just like the creepers, grass, and vegetables. Catuṣ-padām. They're food for the four-legged. Phalgūni jīvo jīvasya jīvanam.
- So, in this way, there is order that one life is meant eaten by another. That is nature's law. But we should use discrimination what kind of foodstuff, what kind of living entities we shall eat. That Kṛṣṇa... (?). We have taken vow to eat only Kṛṣṇa's prasādam. There is something. Whatever Kṛṣṇa orders.[5]
"Jesus ate fish"
"Thou shalt not kill"?
"They kill, we purchase"
"One living entity is food for another"
Animal sacrifice
- Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every religion
- more are available: see Vivekananda page (justification from Vedic past); Buddha and Narada Muni condemn animal sacrifice (ref's from AK article); maybe some from Durga-puja quotes
"Eat whatever you like..."
References (all sections)
combine with each section
(Christianity)
(Islam)
- Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every religion
(Buddhism)
(Modern variants on Vedic tradition)
(Secular/Other)