Book Title: Monks Dilemma
Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: ABD Publisher

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Page 94
________________ 1881 Monks 'Dilemma Monks' Dilemma | 189 the founder interpreted Vedas correctly for the first time. He emphasised good education to all and chain of DAV schools is doing yeoman service in providing quality education." Deepti, "Aryasamaj ordains most pernicious ritual of Havan for everyone every day. In havans it is manufactured dry wood obtained by cutting green trees, uselessly burnt along with edible grains, ghee and many other things. Anything burnt even perfumes will produce Co, and will therefore add pollution to the environment. It relies solely on Vedas in which the verses are mainly in the form of begging almost all sorts of things from imaginary noumenon god. This is total dependence and subservience to some unknown external power and negates self confidence and effort. Rigveda is proclaimed to be oldest book about five thousand years old. Dayanand Sarasvati and his interpretation is very recent phenomenon. Earlier the interpretations by two stalwarts and learned scholars of Vedic literature Mahidharacharya and Sayanacharya dominated the scene. Some of the verses are so vulgar and obscene that one cannot read them before sister and daughter. If words have different meaning then verses can be interpreted and twisted according whims and beliefs of the interpreter. It can be argued as to why interpretations by Dayanand Sarasvati are correct and that of earlier scholars wrong. There are verses in Vedas which advocate unlimited conspicuous consumption, the major factor contributing to environmental pollution. In Aryasamaj also institution of monkhood has crept in and there are swamis who do not do any work to earn their own living and are dependent on householders." Karma Yeshi, Buddhist Lama spoke next, "Buddhism is most non controversial and does not subscribe to any sort of ritual and also noumena of soul and god. It prescribes and ordains good and virtuous conduct of compassion towards all and non-violence and truth are core principles." Deepti, "Visit to Buddhist monastery will reveal that various rituals are galore. Reciting hymns, chants, paeans of praise in front Buddha idols and wasting time idly are main practices. Buddhism preaches compassion and non violence but does not prohibit meat eating if the killing of animals is done by others and thus endorses acquiescence in killing of innocent animals. Buddhists are by and large non vegetarians. A non vegetarian eats ten times more than a vegetarian because the animals killed and consumed eat vegetation and only one tenth of total calorie intake is converted in meat and rest of calories are consumed by animals in their own metabolism. Non vegetarianism is an important factor contributing to environmental degradation. As far as I know the lamas are supposed to be celibate. But only males are initiated and there are no female lamas. What happens to females? Are they subjugated in polygamy? There are lamas (monks) also who do not do any work and are dependent on householders and are parasites. There is no belief in soul yet reincarnation is admitted. Its metaphysical concept that everything is transient and that all appearances are delusion is strange. Of course things are changing and transforming but all these appearances are real and not delusions. It appears to be the impact of Vedic concept of Maya." Shree announced the name of Sardar Kartar Singh as the last speaker of the session. Sardar Kartar Singh, "Sikhism is most practical and non ritualistic religion. All of the revered gurus were ardent

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