In lectures, letters, and conversations, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada condemns commercial dairy again and again. In Prabhupada’s time, there was no concept of veganism and there were no readily available dairy substitutes. Prabhupad’s vision was for every temple to have a Gosala providing all the dairy for the temple and restaurant from cows protected and loved by devotees. In almost 40 years after Prabhupada leaving this world, we have not fulfilled his mandate of cow protection so it is a reasonable extension of Prabhupada’s desires for us to avoid commercial dairy now that plant-based milks are easily available.
Here is a collection of quotes from Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“This is simply animal civilization. Taking the last drop of milk from the cow and immediately send it to the slaughterhouse…Mother-killing civilization. And they want to be happy. And periodically there is great war and wholesale massacre, reaction.” Conversation, Detroit, 14 June, 1976
“In the Kali-yuga [current age]…the cow stands with tears in her eyes, the śudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when there is no milk the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful acts are responsible for all the troubles in present society.” SB 1.17.3 purport
“Just like they are taking last drop of milk from the cow and after extracting everything, then send to the slaughterhouse. So the whole world is engaged in sinful activity.” –Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, London, July 25, 1976
“Poor cows, they deliver milk and later on they become slaughtered. How much sinful the modern society is and they still want peace and prosperity. That is not possible.” –Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, London, July 13, 1973
“What is this justice, after taking milk from the animal and kill it? Is that very good justice? So it is very, very sinful, and we have to suffer for it.” –Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, Melboure, May 22, 1975
“European and American civilization will be finished on account of this sinful activity of killing the cows.” .” –Srila Prabhupada, Letter, Honolulu, 31 May, 1975.
“Those who are anxious to cultivate the human spirit must turn their attention first toward the question of cow protection.” Light of the Bhagavata, pg. 27
“He first asked him that ‘Cow is your mother. Bull is your father. Why you are killing father and mother? What is your religion? Is that very good philosophy, that you shall kill your father and mother and eat them?’ This was the first question. According to Vedic civilization, cow is to be given all protection. … And Lord Christ is more liberal. He said, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ He does not name any animal’s name. Every animal. Every animal should be given protection. That is also the Vedic idea.”
“To be nonviolent to human beings and to be a killer or enemy of the poor animals is Satan’s philosophy. In this age there is always enmity against poor animals, and therefore the poor creatures are always anxious. The reaction of the poor animals is being forced on human society, and therefore there is always strain of cold or hot war between men, individually, collectively or nationally.”
“When Maharaja Pariksit saw a degraded man trying to kill a cow, he immediately drew his sword and said, ‘Who are you? Why are you trying to kill this cow?’ He was a real king. Nowadays, unqualified men have taken the presidential post. And although they may pose themselves as very religious, they are simply rascals. Why? Because under their noses thousands of cows are being killed, while they collect a good salary. Any leader who is at all religious should resign his post in protest if cow slaughter goes on under his rule.”
Without Cow Protection…
“one cannot realize the science of God”
“one cannot become spiritually advanced”
“no question of happy, peaceful life.”
Prabhupada states in a letter to Krishna das, “Regarding purchasing things in the market, these items are considered as purified when we pay the price for them. That is the general instruction, but when we know something is adulterated, we should avoid it. But unknowingly if something is purchased, that is not our fault. Things which are suspicious, however, should be avoided.”
– Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Krishna Das on 25th December, 1969
VIDEO: Please watch this video presentation by Tukaram Das called Srila Prabhupada on Cow Protection
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