Back To Prabhupada, Issue 68, Vol 1, 2021, Interactive
“Hare Krishna,
Can vegans practice Krishna Consciousness or is it a requirement to be a vegetarian?”
- J. Bottger, Gloucester, UK
To become Srila Prabhupada's disciple, the minimum compulsory requirements are to follow 4 regulative principles and chant 16 rounds:
"Who is my disciple? First of all let him follow strictly the disciplined rules. [...] Then he is all right."
(Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, 13/6/76)
"I am very happy to accept you as my disciple [...] now please continue to follow strictly the four regulative principles of no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no taking of intoxicants including coffee, tea and tobacco, no illicit sex-life, and no gambling. Be sure to always chant daily your sixteen rounds on your beads, and be happy in Krishna Consciousness."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 25/4/70)
So in theory any vegan can follow these disciplined rules of no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication, and chanting 16 rounds.
However, drinking cow milk is also highly recommended:
Srila Prabhupada: "The cow produces miracle food, milk. So if you want to have good brain, then you have to take milk."
Guest (2): "Good brain?"
Srila Prabhupada: "If you don't want to remain dull, then you have to take milk."
Guest (2): "Milk."
Srila Prabhupada: "Therefore cow protection is necessary. [...] unless we have got sufficient milk supply, you cannot have nourishing food and you cannot develop good brain. Therefore it is necessary."
(Room Conversation, 23/9/71)
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