livelihoods from cows

[Guest guest]

Dear Prabhus

this area of getting willing devotees on the ground making livings is at the

heart of reforming our cow protection and agricultural projects.

 

Yes there are quotes (numerous) where the goal is simple village life.

Indian village life for example. We can see practically that our members are

not yet willing to make that final step, so what about a intermediatery step

for those who have the inclination to make money. Why not have livelihoods

with the base being the oxen.

 

If a family are willing to work hard making money using oxen is that any

different than making money by working in a store or driving lorries or

selling paintings? The stark reality is that very few of our devotees

actualy want to live a simple self reliant lifestyle. How can you grow a

1,000 dollar computer on your land and how do you download your e mails with

a plough?

 

Srila Prabhupada has set for us a mountainous task, in the long climb let us

not discourage steps to go there. My feeling is that in these times and

circumstances it is unhelpful in getting the ox back in the centre to decry

livelihood based agriculture.

 

We can keep focused on the general direction but let us vigourously

encourage any steps in ox dependancy.

 

Ox based agricultural oproducts will have a cost more than can be bought

from the store even if you are growing them for your visitors. Ox powered

organic food from protected animals is a niche product and should be paid

for and will be bought at the real price it takes to produce. If a married

person is growing food naturally that food will cost a premium. A married

persons time has a cost value.

 

some thoughts

 

ys

syamasundara dasa

Bhaktivedanta Manor