What is the definition of sin?
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Transcript
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in harmony. So, that is development.
Question what is the definition of sin? Answer there can be definitions at various levels at a generic level we understand that sin is that which is harmful that is destructive that which not just hurts others others can include other people others can include other life forms others can include nature at large so and others actually and sin is also harmful to us so in general sin refers to that which is harmful or destructive self-destructive or destructive to others now at a more evolved level the understanding of sin is that the any action that is done in violation of the laws of god we generally live in a state and we have to obey the laws of the state so disobedience to the laws of the state is called as a crime spiritual wisdom traditions help us to expand our vision so that we understand that actually we are living not just in a government but we are living in a universal government that means the universe is not a chaotic place it is a place which is governed by a administration under the supreme administrator god and he has given us laws and violation of those laws and seeking pleasure for seeking self-gratification in violation of those laws is the essence of sin so willful Shrila Prabhupada defines sin as willful disobedience to the laws of god is in the Isha Upanishad so which is an ancient book based on the Vedic tradition so essentially we can generically define sin as activities which are harmful to others and harmful to ourselves and more specifically that means the activities which we do in violation to the laws of god because ultimately god is benevolent and his laws are benevolent when we live according to his laws then we actually are happy and we contribute positively to our own growth and to the growth of others and when we live in violation of those laws then we suffer so broadly speaking meat-eating intoxication gambling illicit sex these are grossly sinful activities and we need to avoid them and each of these have their own specifics about how they hurt us and how they hurt others and that’s why we avoid them and also we avoid them primarily because they violate the laws of god thank you