Prabhupāda: Suppose in hospital some Hindu dies or some Muslim dies, some Christian die, the spirit . . . they are stacked together as useless matter. Is it not? There is no distinction there now, "Hindu," "Muslim," "Christian," "white," "black." Now it is dead body, put aside. Eh? So, but when living, when the spirit soul is there, they're dividing, this designation. So this knowledge, that so long the spirit soul is there in the body it is important. As soon as the soul is gone, it is useless. But people are giving more stress on the body than on the active principle, living force, what is there. There is no study. Suppose you are all scientists. What is your studying about that living force that is moving the body?
Dr. Muncey: Yes, I would agree with you that the body, when a person dies, is material and dead, in the terms we use, and the spirit moves on, but, and I accept from that, that at that stage one has nothing to . . . one has no worry about the body. But in the stage that we are now, where our body and our soul are together, it seems to me that this is one unity, and you can't use the argument that at that stage you should neglect the body.
Prabhupāda: No, we don't say neglect the body. But the, the important factor . . . just like our this Svarūpa Dāmodara has explained that behind this material combination there is an active principle, which is soul. That is the important thing. But in the modern age they are giving more stress on the unimportant thing, and they have no knowledge of the important thing. This is the defect.
Dr. Muncey: I think I disagree with that.
Dr. Harrap: I'm, I'm a little uncertain from reading some of your comments about the primary aim that you would set for science. I would take a great deal of emphasis on the contribution that science can make to the community.
Prabhupāda: That I admit. That I admit. Yes.
Dr. Harrap: With respect, sir, I notice you wear a watch. This must be obviously a product of science, and this is what it's about. But you are stressing time and again in your writings the need to concentrate on the laws that you set out in order to achieve some standing in the future, in the life hereafter.
Prabhupāda: Yes, yes.