Prabhupāda: Some of our books were selected textbooks in many colleges, universities. You have seen our books?
Buddhist Monk (1): I have seen some of them, not all of them. Because I meet these boys and girls, and . . . I seen that book about . . .
Prabhupāda: Our this book, Nectar of Devotion, that is a study book in the Temple University, Philadelphia. Similarly, our Kṛṣṇa Book,
(aside) and what other books? They are . . .? Especially Kṛṣṇa Book and Nectar of Devotion. Bhagavad-gītā also, As It Is.
(pause)
We consider Lord Buddha also as incarnation of God.
Buddhist Monk (1): Yes, I know that. Of course, on this there's a difference of view between the Orthodox Buddhists and that thinking. Because during the earlier days of Buddhist preaching there were certain differences of opinion. And the brāhmaṇa sections fell into various categories. Some of them were not very friendly, and others accepted quite a few of his . . . their teachings. And a third section, led by people like Sarikuta and Munkali Sanmukhala they became followers as well. And, of course, so many things have been incorporated, kāma, krodha, lobha, kleśa, abhimāna. They are very similar to the teachings of the Buddha, and they are very progressive.
Because lobha, lobha, lobha, lobha is at the root of our problems. Tanhaya jayate soko, tanhaya jayate bhayak, tanhaya vipra muktasya, nati soko ato bhayat: "Greed is the cause of suffering; greed is the cause of fear. Remove this greed: Where is the suffering? Where is the fear?" And, of course, being tolerant and understanding, man being a bundle of habits and customs, we cannot eradicate all grief overnight. But certainly we can start reducing this greed. Reduce and reduce.
And then that's the only way to purify the mind. And then ought show such a society where greed has been reduced will be relatively a peaceful society. Simple living, high thinking and high practice. That's the cornerstone of our philosophies. Multiplication of so many . . . (indistinct) . . . colonational output, flying to the moon and not going into one's mind, and producing these things and calling them . . . (indistinct) . . . What is . . .
Prabhupāda: Sometimes we find that peaceful living is visible even in animal society. Just like the cows, they're very peaceful. There are other animals—dogs and others—they fight. But hundreds of thousands of cows, they live very peacefully. Birds also. Just like the swans, they live very peacefully. So is that the highest goal of life, to live peacefully? Because that is also found in animal society. Is that the perfection of life?
Buddhist Monk (1): Yes, a man has to ask himself a simple and straightforward question. What really does he want to put his life to? Does he want suffering or peace?
Prabhupāda: No, suffering, of course, nobody wants. That's a fact.
Buddhist Monk (1): That's it exactly.
Prabhupāda: But in this material world, even if you become peaceful, does it mean that you are out of suffering? I don't think.
Buddhist Monk (1): Yeah. Well, I've been asking in all these universities, high schools, and all those, all those audiences, "What is the purpose of this so-called modern education? What is the purpose? If so, kindly define this purpose. Have people thought on this?" I just gave a broadcast at Southampton day before yesterday.