Author Archive
Sunday, May 20th, 2007
National Vegetarian Week May 21st- 27th
The fifteenth National Vegetarian Week, sponsored by Cauldron Foods, aims to celebrate vegetarianism in its broadest sense and prompt media discussion on the topics of vegetarian food, health benefits, lifestyle and commitment.
The range of veggie food stuffs and products just keeps on growing, provision for vegetarians when dining out is getting better and better and people are taking much more of an interest in the food that they eat and how it is produced. As a result vegetarianism today is no longer seen as something cranky or hippy, but instead, very much part of the mainstream. Go into any supermarket in the UK and you will find aisle upon aisle stacked full of delicious veggie food products.
As well as an increasingly huge range of exotic fruit and vegetables on display, almost all supermarkets now have exclusively vegetarian freezer sections storing vegetarian sausages, bacon, burgers, mince, stir-fry pieces, fillets, pies and other meat alternatives. In fact becoming a vegetarian has never been easier, tastier or more nutritious. So if you’re looking for fresh ideas and some inspiration to take you forward towards a more compassionate lifestyle choice you are already in the right place.
The week’s success relies significantly on the involvement of businesses, community groups, vegetarian groups, organisations and individuals so we’re asking YOU to get involved!
Why is it green to go veggie?
http://www.vegsoc.org/vegweek/reasons.html
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Saturday, May 19th, 2007
Chocolate Unsuitable for Vegetarians
By Hugh Muir
The Guardian
Yesterday, 200 years after the Reverend William Cowherd first publicly advanced the principle of abstinence from flesh-eating, senior figures in the vegetarian movement found themselves rallying the troops for one more skirmish.
On May 1, Masterfoods began using animal products in famous chocolate bars such as the Mars Bar, Bounty, Snickers, Twix and Milky Way. The taint also affects Maltesers and Minstrels, which have traces of whey - a product of cheesemaking which itself involves the use of rennet, a chemical from calves’ stomachs. The recipe change also applies to the popular ice cream versions of the confectionery bars.
It means that for the diligent vegetarian, the products are all out of bounds.
The move has been strongly condemned by the Vegetarian Society which has urged its members to pressure Masterfoods to think again.
To help the company reach this period of reflection, the society has posted the number for Masterfoods’ customer services department on its website. Members pining for their favourite chocolate bars are being advised to ring the multinational and “express your concern”.
A spokesman for the Vegetarian Society said: “For some incomprehensible reason they are using animal products when all these items have previously been produced using vegetarian alternatives. There are about 3 million vegetarians in the UK which is a significant part of the UK market. It is very disappointing that Masterfoods products are no longer vegetarian friendly. We hope the company will reconsider this move.”
There is no sign of an early retreat but Paul Goalby, corporate affairs manager for Masterfoods, said the company at least deserved credit for being honest.
“Since changing the sourcing of our ingredients we are no longer able to ensure our chocolate will be animal rennet-free and so we made the principled decision to admit it was not guaranteed to be vegetarian,” he said.
“If the customer is an extremely strict vegetarian, then we are sorry the products are no longer suitable but a less strict vegetarian should enjoy our chocolate.”
He told the Grocer magazine that products with a “best-before” date up to October 1 are still suitable for vegetarians. The company is also offering a refund to those who cannot eat animal rennet on bars that have a later best-before date.
The vegetarian with a sweet tooth has long lived a perilous life. Many boiled sweets and mints contain gelatine. Boiled confectionery and other popular sweets can contain the colouring cochineal, which is made from insects.
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Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
Shambu Speaks
Shambo the Bull. You can add your signature to the petition at www.skandavale.org
I went to hospital this morning for what should be my final blood test of this current illness. While I was breaking my fast with a home made cheese and pickle sandwich, a young medical student came up to my table and asked if he could speak with me.
“I saw your hair at the back†he began, “and was wondering - are you a Hindu?â€
“Yes I am,†I replied, smiling, “a white oneâ€. He laughed, sat down, and continued, “Its just that I thought you might be from that Hindu temple in Wales that’s been in the news recently. I’m heading up a campaign at my university to gather signatures to protect their sacred bull.â€
He referred to the Community of the Many Names of God, a Tamil Shaivite temple which, up in the Welsh Hills, has been in the British national news recently because of their valiant attempts to protect Shambo, one of their bulls, threatened with slaughter by local government officials because of his being diagnosed as having TB.
I expressed my gratitude to him for his campaign, giving the reason that protecting bulls, cows, and other innocent creatures was the foundation of Dharma. I explained that some of my colleagues were giving assistance to the campaign for Shambo, and then asked him more about his life at university. He ran the students Hindu Society, he said, but was more interested in the spiritual aspects of Hinduism than the cultural. “I was raised by parents who were strict Hindus†he continued, “but it wasn’t until quite recently, when I travelled in India for some months, that I felt really connected. I took a vow of brahmacarya while I was there.â€
I raised my eyebrows and complimented him. “That’s the best possible thing you could have done for your spiritual life. It will give you great determination and the necessary power for spiritual growth.â€
He seemed a little taken aback that an Englishman – albeit Hindu – should have demonstrated such enthusiasm for his undertaking and replied: “You really think so? Do you know something about brahmacarya?†When I replied that I had also been a brahmacari monk for eight years and looked upon that period of my life as my happiest time, he leaned forward and listened intently.
“But any vow (vrata) you undertake – especially for spiritual development – must be supported by a group of friends who are also on the same path,†I began. “Keeping to such vows without supportive sadhu-sangha is quite difficult.†He nodded his head and agreed that his fellow medical students could not understand his enthusiasm for the spiritual life. And for taking the vows of a monk while everyone was partying around him.
“That’s because spiritual life is all about discovering the transcendent reality above all the labels of this world,†I continued. “Everyone around you projects their mental labels and logos onto you according to how they see the world, how you fit into their world and what they passionately want from you. If you are not strong in your own identity and your spiritual goals, you can end up taking on those projected labels. You’ll believe yourself to be the sum total of everything other people tell you that you are, rather than who you actually are.â€
Unfortunately, its even more acute for animals,†I went on, “On one living being we project the label ‘pet’ and upon another we project the label ‘food.’ Both four-legged creatures with fur and a face, but one is the object of our affections while the other is the object of our knives. Nobody would dream of killing a pet dog, but killing a cow or bull – or paying someone else to - is done without a thought.â€
Then, somewhat conspiratorially, I also leaned further forward and said, “You know, even the term Hindu and Hinduism is a label given by othersâ€. He nodded in agreement. “What we are all interested in, every believer of every ‘ism’, is reaching the spiritual level where all the artificial designations disappear and we understand the essential unity of all life.â€
I invited him to come to Bhaktivedanta Manor, which, as it turned out, he’d only remotely heard of, coming from the north, and I gave him some website addresses to visit through which he could connect with more students on the spiritual path. “Nothing happens by accident does it?†he said as we shook hands. “Nothing at all†I replied.
I had another similarly uplifting conversation with the nurse/counsellor stationed at the Cancer Backup office. I’d first chatted with her before my operation and she wanted to know how I was adjusting to the next chapter of life. That was cue for another spiritual discussion. We talked feelings and emotions and the spiritual side of marriage, and I also invited her to come to the temple.
I had no sooner turned the corner into the corridor when I saw a devotee I had not seen for some years. He was old in years now and a little unwell, and I was glad to sit with him and his wife and offer them some positive scriptural thoughts for the weeks ahead.
Then to round off an enlivening day I returned home to discover that the Back to Prabhupada editors had not only given me a whole two pages in their magazine, in which they’d featured one of my blogs, but they’d also given me a large yellow by-line on the front cover as well. I shall have to reciprocate their recognition of me in another piece, on another day…
Article taken from: http://deshika.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/labels-and-logos/
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Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
Shambu the Bull in Danger of Slaughter
Haribol Prabhus,
I have recently been informed about Shambu the Bull, who is part of a faithcommunity that is being targetted for slaughter from the Welsh and UKgovernment. This bull has reacted to a TB test. It has also reacted to asecond test. The government has issued a notification of their intention toslaughter this bull.
The community are practitioners of karma and bhakti yoga and as such theyallow their animals to live out their full lives. The community has movedthe bull into their temple room and are prepared to resist moves toslaughter the bull.
The implication for the ISKCON herds especially in the UK and perhaps Europeis that if this cow is slaughtered for potentially carrying TB then if anyISKCON or other protected herds get TB or other similar diseases then theywill also be liable to be slaughtered.
The community are asking for support which at this time means they areasking for people to sign their online petition.
Please spare a few minutes to check out the website, see the latestdevelopment and sign their petition.
It is very important that we help this community as far as we can.
Their website is as follows:
http://www.skandavale.org/shambo.htm
ys syamasundara dasaFarm ManagerBhaktivedanta ManorUK
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Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
Varnasrama Without Cow Protection: Surrealism In Action
By Ekendra Das
Have a look at this painting called The Persistance of Memory by the famous surrealist Salvador Dali. How does it capture you? Does it even draw your attention at all?
Many people find this painting captivating and definitive of the surrealistic movement in art. Here you have something familiar and distinctive - a clock. Clocks of this sort are usually found hanging on walls; yet here one is melting whilst hanging from the branch of a dead tree. Taking something out of context and superimposing it into an artificial environment is one aspect of surrealism. Even though it is sometimes said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, this concept in relation to application of the Varnasrama culture in modern times is what I want to focus on in this article.
To help us to understand the four different divisions of varna Srila Prabhupada gave us the analogy of a human body. He likened the head of the body to the brahmanical or intellectual class of people. The arms of the body are compared to the ksatriya or administrative/warrior type of person. Just as arms can be used to activate, enforce and defend - the ksatriya class dutifully protects and administrates social injunctions under the guidance of the intellectual class. The vaisyas are like the stomach of the body. Those in this merchantile order are expected to generate an economy based on agriculture and are also expected to protect cows. The sudras are considered to be the legs of the body rendering their service by performing labour in support of the other social divisions.
Thus all four social divisions function as a whole just as the different parts of the body comprise a singular entity. So, despite that the four varnas are considered divisions of human society, they are inseperable and inter-dependent. To try to take the head, for instance, without the stomach renders a useless body. This is called ardha-kukkuṭī-nyÄya, “the logic of half a hen” wherein one is impressed by the egg laying capacity of one part of the chicken but not so enthusiastic about the head which requires to be fed - so the logic is to chop off the head to remove the unwanted part .
Acknowledging the correlation between the four varnas, the question then arises “Does the existence of one particular class of people depend upon the existence of the other three?” The answer is plainly, “No“. A head is a head just like a brahmana is a brahmana like a clock is a clock. Obviously an individual with distinctive intellectual capacity is who he/she is. Division, therefore, of a group of people into different classes of society solely according to their innate qualities and abilities is feasible.
“Do the activities of one particular social order depend upon the activites of the other three?” This is an entirely different question altogether. Previously we questioned whether or not a brahmana could exist without the other types of people. Why not? “Can, though, a brahmana perform his function without the other social orders?” Not sustainably. This is largely due to performing their function out of context - just like the clocks in the image above. We can say - brahmana - but if the brahmana’s activities are not beneficial what to speak of in consideration of the complete social body then this definition falls into the realm of the surreal.
Article continued at: www.gopala.org/node/29
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Friday, May 11th, 2007
earthling (urth ling), n. 1. An inhabitant of earth.
“This is the single most powerful and informative movie about society’s treatment of animals. A must see for anyone who cares enough to know.”
- Woody HarrelsonEARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.” The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.
With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, EARTHLINGS uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but this one transcends the setting. EARTHLINGS cries to be seen. Highly recommended!
Check out the 7 minute trailer at: http://www.isawearthlings.com/trailer.html
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2007
We Must Do Something
By Adi Radhika Dasi, 2007. May 02.http://smileofkrishna.com/?p=74 It is the nature of human being… till it comes to ourselves, we do not care. Monday morning we returned back to our village; Krishna-valley. We were quite sleepless and tired, we rested and yesterday we went out […]
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Monday, May 7th, 2007
“You’re a Cow Herder Now, Young Skywalker.”
I am a self-confessed city boy, shamefully and shamelessly addicted to the many maddening modern comforts of the Western world. Still, I am drawn to the pastimes of the cowherd boy like the tidal pools under a full moon.
I am thinking my past life consisted of being a simple village boy in India, doing a lot of farming, a little devotional service, and one particular visit to Mumbai where I became so fascinated by the neon lights and mach-speed delights that when I left that particular body, I said “No thanks, my Lord. I wanna go to America!â€
Therefore, there I went, and by the inconceivable mercy of Gaur-Nitai, I’m now here in the New V trying to pay my sweet penance for that choice.
Outside of my recent difficulty in just trying to move one cow, I have never ever been involved in any kind of organized exodus of a group of holy heifers. It didn’t begin well. Our first two initial efforts to get the guys and gals out of the Govardhana Goshalla grazing ground was met with indifference and a lot of insolence. Three times I pretty much fell knee-deep in the cold mud-dung combination that posed as solid ground.
Our boss-das Jaya Prabhupada was very confused about the udder lack of cooperation going one between man and animal. Usually, he has no problem getting the herd into the barn. Plus, the guys and gals were hungry for fresh grass and knew where to go. So, why the fuss? We blamed it on Alycia’s bright-yellow jacket, and with a rousing cry of “third time’s the charm!â€, we gave it another go and got the herd out and on the march.
What I thought was going to be a mellow day under the blue sky quickly turned into a intense workout as the herd crossed the field towards the forest path. Sprinting, yelling, sweating, pleading. A number of the gals decided to go off in each possible direction and munch away at the feast at their feet.
Out of breath, but starting to feel an internal glow, I began to understand that we were not leading the pack, but following the hoofsteps. As the herd hit the path, I noticed two cows deciding to take the scenic route off the beaten path through the forest, so I took charge and care and followed.
After being led-through about three dozen thorn-bushes, we came to a very steep hillside that my bovine companions decided to scale, all of us doing this scaling with varying degrees of difficulty and determination. Here, I faced my mortality in a way I have never faced it before.
One of the young ladies was having a bit of a deal getting her four legs up the steep hill. I came near her and gave her some verbal encouragement, at one point standing directly behind her as she slowly made her way up.
For one small moment, I realized I was standing steeply downhill behind a 2000-pound cow, who if she slipped and came backwards, would crush my poor, useless body into mulch. I politely but quickly moved aside, and we eventually hit the path again.
After that experience, I realized that I had no choice in this matter and other larger matters. I must only put my faith in following Krsna and His cows, because they know where they are going, and I certainly have much less of a clue.
The task at hand eventually began to wash away some of the fatigue of the soul. The natural surroundings beckoned deep serenity, the old cabins and houses of past devotional scenes loomed with ghostly mystery.
A walking stick in my left hand, chanting Hare Krsna on my right hand, cows in front of and behind me, I whispered that now would be a perfect time to leave this mortal frame, but, alas, there is still a lot more work to do.
My pace began to match one particular cow, red-hair with a bad, cloudy eye. I took particular care to let her know we were almost there, suggesting to her to stop at nearby water puddles for what seemed like a much needed drink.
She didn’t heed, and simply marched forward. I checked off another lesson in staying on the straight-and-narrow path towards the goal of Godhead, not straying off into side roads for comforts I don’t essentially need.
We finally hit the Palace Road, and I watched in glee as a large dump truck had to slow its pace to near nil in order to accommodate the six or so cows moving at their own natural pace in front of it. Chalk up a small victory for the future I want to see.
Into the pasture behind Bahulaban, a few stragglers bringing up the rear. Sweet success for all. One of the perfections of devotional service this was. Actual practical hard-working Krsna-pleasing engagement.
One realization: A cow-herder is much like the sannyasi. Both carry a big stick. Both wander the wildernesses of this planet. The cow-herder herds cows to where they need to go. The sannyasi herds the lost human souls to where they need to go. Both jobs are quite difficult, but they are the essence of doing the needful.
As we walked and hitch-hiked back to the New V, Jaya Prabhupada regaled us with stories of his conversion to the Vaisnava sphere, saying he had once been a wandering craft-making hipster whose line to all others was that “I’m looking for a new planet.†One day, he picked up Easy Journey to Other Planets, and the rest has been golden for him.
He might agree with me here, but in the fine two-and-four step of herding Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s beloved holy heifers, there is nothing wrong with being on this planet at this particular time in the ol’ grand scheme of things.
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Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Rise of Cow Slaughter in India
It may be hard to believe, but “Independent” Hindu India now kills more animals than ever before. Even more than the enslaved India under Christian British rule, or even the very ruthless Moslem emperors . . . More animals have been butchered in the last decade than any previous […]
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Friday, May 4th, 2007
Air Quality Awareness Week
The National Weather Service has designated this week Air QualityAwareness Week. There are many kinds of air pollution. TheEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the Air QualityIndex for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act:ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfurdioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Ozone and particle pollution are twocommon pollutants found […]
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Friday, April 20th, 2007
City Life/Village Life- A Brief Video Juxstaposition
A beautiful short film by Ekendra Prabhu.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLPPu3r9iMU