Yes, we are born covered by ignorance of the Absolute Truth. The ancient Indian saints and sages have been the first seers to introduce (1) the transcendental (absolute) nature of the individual souls of all living entities; (2) the transcendental (absolute) existence of the Personality of Godhead; (3) material nature or illusion (maya) known by three relative qualities: ignorance, passion, goodness.

Apart from the theological paradigm, which is not easy to comprehend for the common man today, in Vedic sastra, there is one simple truth consisting of two interrelated elements which is not found in any of the other world religions:

a) the injunction to be non-violent (including no meat-eating)
b) reincarnation of the transcendental spirit soul as a result of one's selfish and unselfish activities (degradation and promotion to higher and lower standards of life, anywhere in the relative universe).

The first step to end the repetitive cycle of reincarnation (karma) is to become non-violent in favor of other living creatures which are, in fact, all eternal spirit souls, parts and parcels of the Godhead Himself: janmady asya yatah "We are all from one source" (Bhagavata Purana 1.1.1). Therefore, meat-eating in a spiritual sense is considered cannibalism.

Anyone in the world, irrespective of his creed or color, who is a vegetarian has already converted partly to transcendental life - knowingly or unknowingly. In Vedic sastras it is said, that meat-eating will cover one's finer tissues and sensibilities for the experience of the Absolute Truth, Sri Bhagavan. Why? By meat-eating one participates in a cycle of violence upon violence going deeper and deeper into hellish life. Animal slaughter is violence. Violence is utter ignorance. The masses of ancient India have not been ignorant as they have been vegetarians for thousands of years. Especially the brahminical section of society could cultivate spiritual knowledge by maintaining a direct connection to the transcendental realm and draw knowledge.

The Vedas are the origin of monotheism and they worship the one transcendental God, Bhagavan Sri Krsna (Hari) "krsnas tu bhagavan svayam". All younger world religions have been derived and borrowed its concepts and teachings from Vedic sources. Before 5,000 years ago, when the Four Vedas were recorded, the knowledge existed in an oral tradition and circulated worldwide. Although details have been distorted many times, its fundamental knowledge is authentic.

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