The 4 pillars of religion
07 Feb '11 09:111 editThe Pillars of Religion
In the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, we learn that the four pillars of religion are cleanliness, austerity, compassion, and truthfulness.
There is a systematic and well-rounded process to religion, whose foundation is structured on these four pillars.
Religion is not simply a matter of faith, nor just a system of morals and ethics, although it is often portrayed as such.
It is more than faith, it is a science: in the Bhagavad-gita, Srila Prabhuapda writes that faith without philosophy is sentimental, and philosophy without religion is dry speculation.
As these four pillars are the foundation of religion, the Vedic scriptures also teach that there are four main sinful activities:
illicit sex, intoxication, gambling, and meat eating.
Why are they "sinful?" Because they each attack and destroy a specific pillar of religion: cleanliness is destroyed by illicit sex; austerity by
intoxication; compassion by meat-eating; and truthfulness by gambling.
Animal slaughter and meat eating destroy the qualities of compassion and mercy, and for a religious person to not have compassion and mercy, is like a mother not having love for her baby.
Thus it is clearly seen that modern, contemporary culture is consistently trying to destroy religious principles by undermining the four pillars of religion.
For example, the vast majority of all TV series and movies are based on the repeated and glorified practice of the four sinful activities mentioned above, which destroy religious principles.
There is a constant propaganda going on to normalize and make acceptable illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating, and gambling.
Thus, western culture, which is being hailed as the pinnacle of human development, progress, and knowledge, is actively seeking to destroy the eternal religious principles mentioned in the Vedas.
From the Vedanta Sutra by Srila Vyasadeva.
In the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, we learn that the four pillars of religion are cleanliness, austerity, compassion, and truthfulness.
There is a systematic and well-rounded process to religion, whose foundation is structured on these four pillars.
Religion is not simply a matter of faith, nor just a system of morals and ethics, although it is often portrayed as such.
It is more than faith, it is a science: in the Bhagavad-gita, Srila Prabhuapda writes that faith without philosophy is sentimental, and philosophy without religion is dry speculation.
As these four pillars are the foundation of religion, the Vedic scriptures also teach that there are four main sinful activities:
illicit sex, intoxication, gambling, and meat eating.
Why are they "sinful?" Because they each attack and destroy a specific pillar of religion: cleanliness is destroyed by illicit sex; austerity by
intoxication; compassion by meat-eating; and truthfulness by gambling.
Animal slaughter and meat eating destroy the qualities of compassion and mercy, and for a religious person to not have compassion and mercy, is like a mother not having love for her baby.
Thus it is clearly seen that modern, contemporary culture is consistently trying to destroy religious principles by undermining the four pillars of religion.
For example, the vast majority of all TV series and movies are based on the repeated and glorified practice of the four sinful activities mentioned above, which destroy religious principles.
There is a constant propaganda going on to normalize and make acceptable illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating, and gambling.
Thus, western culture, which is being hailed as the pinnacle of human development, progress, and knowledge, is actively seeking to destroy the eternal religious principles mentioned in the Vedas.
From the Vedanta Sutra by Srila Vyasadeva.
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