Animal Sacrifice

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

It is inscrutable how our mind is quick to respond to such subject as

outmoded and dying tradition of animal sacrifice.

 

With one blow of " cruel practice of animal sacrifice " , whole of Hinduism

is subjected to the eternal trial to prove its innocence, rationality,

and utility!

 

It shows how the mind plays the trick to dissuade us from going towards

real issue of spiritual practice.

 

The mind does not like to dwell on the wonderful states of mystic

introversion in the life of Sri Ramakrishna,

 

The mind does not like to be drawn to his divine teachings and sayings,

 

The mind does not want to fathom and enjoy the meaning and beauty of

Swami Vivekananda's lectures in USA and UK,

 

The mind does not want to learn from the wisdom of many followers of Sri

Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda,

 

The mind does not want to see the sadhana of selfless service and

devotion of hundreds of Swamis of Ramakrishna Order,

 

BUT, The minds sticks to the gossip of outdated and unimportant ritual

of animal sacrifice!

 

I do not object to discuss any subject; but let the dead bury their

dead,

 

I would like to skip over the controversial issues; for my plant of

spirituality is still tender and therefore requires hedging.

 

dr c s shah

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/99 10:37:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

madhava writes:

 

<< With full conviction I would like to say a few words in this regard.

 

Hinduism, as a religion, never advocated animal sacrifice. Those who say

" Hinduism did... " are utterly WRONG. Those who say " Animal sacrifice is

there in our vedic times " are also WRONG. Those who are willing, I am ready

to debate and prove the *innocence* of the mother of all religions...

>>

 

Dear Madhava,

 

I thank you for your clear and concise offering with regard to eating meat.

It is spiritually practical advice and I am grateful to you for your wisdom.

 

Love and peace!

Jody

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends:

 

With full conviction I would like to say a few words in this regard.

 

Hinduism, as a religion, never advocated animal sacrifice. Those who say

" Hinduism did... " are utterly WRONG. Those who say " Animal sacrifice is

there in our vedic times " are also WRONG. Those who are willing, I am ready

to debate and prove the *innocence* of the mother of all religions...

 

During the course of the time, Hinduism as a culture, has absorbed the

tastes of many different people. " aahAra nidrA bhaya maidunAni sAmAnyamEtat

paSubhir narANAM " . " Eating food, sleeping, getting afraid and

participating in intercourse -- these are all common among humans and

animals. These are called as " Sarira Vrittis " - bodily needs. Consuming

food is also a " Sarira Vritti " . Whether you eat meat or you eat grass, does

not really matter to the highest religion. All that matters is how

sensitive you are to the mundane existence. There is a story in our Rigveda

-- A rishi is about to die and he accepts the food from a chandala, but he

refuses to drink water! The story advises that " Before doing anything one

should question himself whether it is really necessary " .

 

There is nothing wrong with eating meat, for the people who do not feel the

pain of the animal that is getting slaughtered. An advise is that one

should question himself " eating meat is really necessary for me? Can I live

with out eating it? " . If the answer is " YES " one can happily eat meat. That

is dharma.

 

Those who feel the pain should always avoid eating meat. Sensitive people

can not tolerate it. Mahatma Gandhi once ate Goat Meat and felt that the

goat is alive in his stomach. He felt very bad, till he confessed his sin

to his mother!

 

As an answer to those who say plants also have life: Cut the branch of a

tree, it can grow many more branches; pluck a leaf of the plant, it can grow

many more. But, cut any limb of an animal, it lives handicap for ever,

alas! God hasn't provided them multiplicity. Think....

 

Regards,

Madhava

[Guest guest]

Dear Krishna Moorthy:

 

I have recently been reading the initial books of the Christian Bible. It is

horrific to read of the great amount of animal carnage conducted in God's holy

name. In fact, it is God Himself, with very precise instructions, who asks the

ancient (c. 2000 bce) Israelis for these animal sacrifices as a way to worship

and honor Him. These early books in the Holy Bible also have God telling the

Israelis to slaughter peoples (men, women and children) living in the " land rich

in milk and honey, " which He had promised for israel. So, this " blood thirsty

god " is not limited to the Vedic peoples!

 

By the way, this description of God is a 180 degree contrast with the God

described by Christ in the later books (i.e., New Testament) of the Holy Bible.

 

I want to believe that the Old Testament God is a false teaching - - - but I

think it may be true. It is a very difficult conundrum to reconcile! I can only

reconcile it in terms of context - - - it was the ancient Israelis who " needed "

animal sacrifice in order further their spiritual advancement, so God made that

path available. This helps me to some degree with the slaughter of animals, but

still leaves me cold when it comes to the slaughter of human beings.

 

Jai Ramakrishna,

Brad