Theos-Talk Archives (November 2003 Message tt00095)

Nov 8 2003

Dear Friend:

As I understand from THEOSOPHY one might say:

Let us agree that killing the higher forms of life represented by the
animals is not part of the evolutionary scheme of nature. They have a
right to live their lives. They represent a portion of the natural
evolution of intelligence.  

Our forms in the past have been many and various, Those that were used
by our Monadic (ATMA-BUDDHI-MANASIC) Intelligence, were once "animal
forms," we are told. THEOSOPHY speaks of this in the early pages of the
SECRET DOCTRINE as that which developed into a high form of instinct in
such forms on the "Moon Chain." 

If we know (to "know" indicates that Mind / Manas is active) that any
act we perform is against the smooth development of Nature (and Karma,
or, natural law, such as compassion, cooperation, pity, protection given
to the poor and the weak, benevolence, etc... ) and we still do it, we
are creating a motive adverse to evolution as a whole. This could be
called a sin -- a voluntary selfish action. Karma is of course
attracted to every such act, including the killing of anything.

Why have we got this mind power? Is it not lour present duty to know
more about it and its relation to "instinct" in our own personal
physical self? 

In what way is mind superior to instinct?

If we are able to answer these questions, at least in general
theoretical way, we can solve the question of specific responses from
Nature to our "wrong doing."  

Not every physical action results in ills to specific parts of our
bodies. But I would say that trying to tie specific ills to specific
acts is not very easy, nor can the examples offered be judged complete,
unless the action of Karma be grasped and made far more clearer.

If we look on animal intelligence as the development in an immortal
Monad (a "brother" monad to ours), then we may view "killing for food"
from a far more compassionate level.  

Further each morsel of foot we eat is made up of living Monad (each, at
some stage of their individual progress). We cannot escape any of these
connections.  

If we "eat to live," the Karma generated is far more harmonious than if
we "live to eat," and selfishly enjoy taste alone -- that is an aspect
of gluttony. That leads to killing animals for food.  

Let us look at necessity.  

To support life in our bodies we do not need animal foods. In our vast
world there are many places and societies that have indicated this, and
made it part of their life-creeds: non-violence to the animal kingdoms.


THEOSOPHY emphasizes this as we can see from the quotations already
offered for consideration. In India the Jain community, the higher
castes of Hindus, and the Buddhists around the world are usually found
to be vegetarians and non-violent.

THEOSOPHY views the entire Universe as filled with Monads all at their
own stages of development They are the "immortal Pilgrims." Animals
have as much right to life and progress as humans have. Is this worth
considering? 

Here is a statement and reasoning used by the Buddha at a sacrifice of
animals:

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But Buddha softly said,


"Let him not strike, great King!" and therewith loosed
The victim's bonds, none staying him, so great
His presence was. 


Then, craving leave, he spake
Of life, which all can take but none can give,
Life, which all creatures love and strive to keep,
Wonderful, dear and pleasant unto each,
Even to the meanest; yea, a boon to all
Where pity is, for pity makes the world
Soft to the weak and noble for the strong.
Unto the dumb lips of his flock he lent
Sad pleading words, showing how man, who prays
For mercy to the gods, is merciless,
Being as god to those; albeit all life
Is linked and kin, and what we slay have given
Meek tribute of the milk and wool, and set
Fast trust upon the hands which murder them.


Also he spake of what the holy books
Do surely teach, how that at death some sink
To bird and beast, and these rise up to man
In wanderings of the spark which grows purged flame.
So were the sacrifice new sin, if so
The fated passage of a soul be stayed.


Nor, spake he, shall one wash his spirit clean
By blood; nor gladden gods, being good, with blood;
Nor bribe them, being evil; nay, nor lay
Upon the brow of innocent bound beasts
One hair's weight of that answer all must give
For all things done amiss or wrongfully,
Alone, each for himself, reckoning with that
The fixed arithmic of the universe,
Which meteth good for good and ill for ill,
Measure for measure, unto deeds, words, thoughts;
Watchful, aware, implacable, unmoved;
Making all futures fruits of all the pasts.
Thus spake he, breathing words so piteous
With such high lordliness of ruth and right,


The priests drew back their garments o'er the hands
Crimsoned with slaughter, and the King came near,
Standing with clasped palms reverencing Buddh;


While still our Lord went on, 

teaching how fair 
This earth were if all living things be linked 
In friendliness and common use of foods, 
Bloodless and pure; the golden grain, bright fruits, 
Sweet herbs which grow for all, the waters wan, 
Sufficient drinks and meats. 

Which when these heard, 
The might of gentleness so conquered them,
The priests themselves scattered their altar-flames 
And flung away the steel of sacrifice;
And through the land next day passed a decree 
Proclaimed by criers, and in this wise graved 
On rock and column: 

"Thus the King's will is: --
There hath been slaughter for the sacrifice 
And slaying for the meat, but henceforth none 
Shall spill the blood of life nor taste of flesh, 
Seeing that knowledge grows, and life is one, 
And mercy cometh to the merciful."


So ran the edict, and from those days forth
Sweet peace hath spread between all living kind,
Man and the beasts which serve him, and the birds,
On all those banks of Gunga where our Lord 
Taught with his saintly pity and soft speech.
For aye so piteous was the Master's heart 
To all that breathe this breath of fleeting life, 
Yoked in one fellowship of joys and pains,

[from Sir Edwin Arnold: THE LIGHT OF ASIA, Book 5, p 85 - 87]

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Perhaps this is valuable for us all now,

Best wishes,

Dallas

===========================

-----Original Message-----
From: maya
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 10:11 PM
To: 
Subject: Non vegetarianism - Non sense

Hi: 

The following may sound as non sense but that is my understanding.
Non vegetarianism is society's as well as individual's sin. 


Maya, the divine power that runs the world punishes the non vegetarian
society since it punishes everything bad.

As usual, it uses reverse logic when punishing by doing linking. I give
a classic example of reverse logic maya uses.  

If a person goes in deviated path(in countries like India where there
are lot of snakes) i.e. not in just path then maya takes a thing( ex:
snake, snake is supposedly have a deviated mind) which goes in deviated
path and makes it give a bite to that person not going in just path.
This is the reason for many snake bites in India for thousands of years.


Maya punishes non vegetarian society; maya rewards vegetarian society.
If people become vegetarian, maya gives intuition or knowledge about
what is a sin; also if over 80% of the people are vegetarian maya gives
knowledge of coming diseases. Killing animals for food is sin. .....

CUT