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Important theological question about pets - Do they go to heaven?
Jagat - Wed, 07 Jul 2004 16:27:59 +0530
Pets and heaven
Some dog owners need the reassurance that they will be reunited with their pets in the next life, says Religion News Service.
"It gives more than comfort. Until they actually believe their pets are in heaven, they can't have any comfort," adds Mary Buddemeyer-Porter, author of Will I See Fido in Heaven?
Several theories have emerged: Some say cats and dogs are immune from both heaven and hell because they do not have the mental capacity to make choices affecting salvation.
Others say that, precisely because they are sinless, dogs and other animals will be restored in the new creation.
A third theological stream speculates that some animals will go to heaven and others will not; for instance, animals that were caring and gentle in this life could have a place in paradise.
Where do you stand?
Keshava - Wed, 07 Jul 2004 23:12:38 +0530
Mahaprabhu is supposed to have gotten the animals to chant and dance in Jharikandha forest, right?
And I just read your story of the Tiger getting Vaisnavised in Bhagnapara.
Also Visnu has liberated Gajendra and the croc.
And there is a story of a Tiger who went to Vaikuntha after eating someone who had eaten prasadam in Narada Pancaratra.
Jatayu got liberation
Even in Caitanya caritamrta someone had a dog if I remember.
I guees there are plenty of animal stories in the sastras.
Having said all that I think I am in the animals don't have a choice camp. Though where the line between humans and animals is I don't know.
Cute topic.
Madhava - Wed, 07 Jul 2004 23:25:39 +0530
KRISHNA'S PETSPet surabhis: Mangala, Pingala, Ganga, Pisangi, Manikastani, Hamsi and Vamsipriya
Pet oxen: Padmagandha and Pisangaksa
Pet deer: Suranga
Pet monkey: Dadhilobha
Pet dogs: Vyaghra and Bhramaraka
Pet swan: Kalasvana
Pet peacock: Tandavika
Pet parrots: Daksa and Vicaksana
RADHA'S PETSPet surabhis: Sunada, Yamuna and Bahula
Pet calf: Tungi
Pet monkey: Kakkhati
Pet doe: Rangini
Pet cakori: Carucandrika
Pet swan: Tundikeri
Pet elephant: Madhuri
Pet parrots: Suksmadhi and Subha
From Radha-krishna-ganoddesa-dipika. A bit off topic, granted, since they are already in heaven.
Talasiga - Sun, 15 Aug 2004 06:34:50 +0530
| QUOTE (Jagat @ Jul 7 2004, 10:57 AM) |
Pets and heaven
Some dog owners need the reassurance that they will be reunited with their pets in the next life, says Religion News Service.
"It gives more than comfort. Until they actually believe their pets are in heaven, they can't have any comfort," adds Mary Buddemeyer-Porter, author of Will I See Fido in Heaven?
Several theories have emerged: Some say cats and dogs are immune from both heaven and hell because they do not have the mental capacity to make choices affecting salvation.
Others say that, precisely because they are sinless, dogs and other animals will be restored in the new creation.
A third theological stream speculates that some animals will go to heaven and others will not; for instance, animals that were caring and gentle in this life could have a place in paradise.
Where do you stand? |
The very same dog that is in your heaven
may be in someone else's hell
Dhyana - Sun, 15 Aug 2004 22:13:23 +0530
There is a story from The Life of Ramanujacarya (compiled by Naimisaranya das; an ISKCON book based on traditional sources) that might be relevant. Ramanuja with his disciples sits and eats at the shore of a lake. Having finished eating, he throws some leftover breadcrumbs into the water. The fish come up to the surface to eat them, and instantly they develop four-armed forms and rise up to the spiritual sky.
The disicples are amazed and ask their guru why THEY do not attain instant liberation although eating their guru's remnants. Ramanuja answers is, because the fish were free from offenses.
I suppose the idea here is that if one is an animal, one has no mental capacity required for committing offenses (offenses towards the Holy Name, for example, are mostly wrong mental attitudes), but can benefit from contact with a pure devotee's mercy just as a human being would.
Dhyana