cutting trees and plants

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna Hariharan,

 

> Is it ok to cut trees or

> plants and use it for our own convenience. since trees do represent

> a living entity similar to animals but may be much lower than

> animals.

 

no, it's not ok. They are also jivas although in lower bodies. Here

are relevant quotes from Manu samhita:

 

1.49 "These (plants) which are surrounded by multiform Darkness,

the result of their acts (in former existences), possess internal

consciousness and experience pleasure and pain."

 

11.65 "Cutting down green trees for firewood, doing acts for one's own

advantage only, eating prohibited food,...

71 "...are offences) which make impure (Malavaha)."

 

11.143 "For cutting fruit-trees, shrubs, creepers, lianas, or

flowering plants, one hundred Rikas must be muttered."

 

8.285 "According to the usefulness of the several (kinds of) trees

a fine must be inflicted for injuring them; that is the settled rule.

 

It's allowed only for sacrifice:

 

8.339 "(The taking of) roots and of fruit from trees, of wood for a

(sacrificial) fire, and of grass for feeding cows, Manu has declared

(to be) no theft."

 

5.40 "Herbs, trees, cattle, birds, and (other) animals that have been

destroyed for sacrifices, receive (being reborn) higher existences."

 

A diet for dvijas is prescribed in 6.13: "Let him eat vegetables that

grow on dry land or in water, flowers, roots, and fruits, the

productions of pure trees, and oils extracted from forest-fruits."

 

In general, Vaishnavas use flowers, fruits and everything else only in

the service to the Lord.

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Your servant, bh. Jan

 

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