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Stop calling these as scriptures || Acharya Prashant, with Ahimsa Fellows (2023)
Prakrati
290 views
1 year ago
Self-knowledge
Vedanta
Veganism
Consciousness
Compassion
Non-violence
Ignorance
Humanity
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that a true scripture is defined by its focus on self-knowledge rather than dietary rules or physical health. He asserts that books discussing food choices or traditions involving animal slaughter, such as those associated with certain festivals or ancient mythological texts, do not qualify as scriptures. According to him, the essence of scripture is to help an individual understand their identity as a conscious entity and to elevate that consciousness. He maintains that veganism is the logical result of scriptural knowledge, as anyone who truly understands the self will naturally move toward non-violence. He identifies Vedanta as the primary system of inquiry that addresses one's relationship with the world, emphasizing that violence is merely a manifestation of ignorance and a lack of self-knowledge. Furthermore, he argues that true religion and compassion are the foundations of veganism. To communicate the message of veganism neutrally across different social backgrounds, he suggests focusing on the innate human connection to other living beings. He illustrates this by noting that children of all backgrounds naturally love and play with animals rather than wishing to harm them. By appealing to this essential humanness and the shared quality of consciousness, one can advocate for the protection of animals regardless of social or religious differences.