We are grateful to all participants in Vegetarian Saturday Gammel Torv, Copenhagen on Saturday 6 June, 27 June and 15.August 2009!
Based on the positive responses, a total of 1800 plates distributed by the three events we have already started to plan new events. Next year the goal is to hold a minimum of 10 events, and ultimately to distribute 100,000 plates per year.
Watch clips from youtube from the first event on Saturday 6 June.
Vegetarian Saturday is organized by friends and devotees of ISKCON Denmark (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and we are inviting the entire city to a sumptuous vegetarian tasting experience. The events start from 13:00.
Five arguments for vegetarianism
Animal welfare
An animal is a living creature and wants as little to be abused and killed as a human does. The only difference between humans and animals is that animals can not defend themselves against humans. .................................................. .................................................. ..
Economy
For 400USD per month a family of four can eat good and healthy vegetarian food.
The main components of this diet is cereals, vegetables and fruits, supplemented by dairy products. Learn more about how this can be done from a vegetarian cookbook or a free vegetarian cooking course.
In this occasion recipes will be distributed for today's vegetarian dishes and those wishing may enroll in a vegetarian cooking course.
Besides the individual spiritual benefit a vegetarian lifestyle contributes to improve health and protect the environment.
Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the UN climate panel, told The Observer in May 2008 that the world population should begin to help combat global warming by having a meatfree day a week and then cut back further. At this inspiration, we have chosen to give Copenhagen a 'Vegetarian Saturday' where everyone can see how amazingly good vegetarian food can taste and get inspiration and guidance to cook vegetarian in their own kitchen.
Scientific studies have linked meateating to bowel cancer. The human digestive system is not suitable for meat, since it is as long as the intestinal systems found in herbivorous animals.
Because the meat decays in the gastrointestinal tract it gives rise to cancer. Plants decay nowhere near as fast and therefore are the ideal food for our bodies. The immediate positive effect by putting on a vegetarian diet is a pleasant feeling of lightness every day.
Ahimsa or non-violence is one of the four regulatory principles prescribed in the Vedas, the ancient texts of wisdom of the East. Meateating clearly goes against this principle. Through his higher intelligence a man can understand that there is consciousness in all living things. Although awareness is lower or higher in different organisms, it is still the same experience of wellness the living being seeks, and the same condition of suffering it seeks to avoid. Because we ourselves do not want suffering, we should not wish it for other living creatures. Putting others' welfare before his own is the beginning of real happiness and the essence of a spiritually conscious vegetarian lifestyle. Beyond compassion for other living creatures, there is a higher understanding that all life is connected to the same creator, discussed in the Vedic scriptures as Krishna, or the 'all-attractive'. By keeping everything alive dear one can also understand Krsna, who is the ultimate goal of the living entity.
It is a fact that even the killing of a plant is a violent act, therefore, it is directed in the Vedas patram, puspam, phalam toyam. This means that what you eat as a vegetarian should be offered with love and devotion to Krishna. Through this sacrifice the spirit of the plant is benefitted, and the food itself becomes enriched with Krishna's blessing. Food which is sacrificed and spiritually enriched is called prasadam in sanskrit, and it is not only nourishing for the body but for the soul aswell. The body is only a material shell for the soul and by honoring prasadam the living being gets closer to Krishna and his spiritual self. Thus true charity is re-awakened in the heart because it sees all living creatures as eternal and peers on the spiritual platform, and that the difference in the appearance in the form of the material body is only temporary.
