Dear devotees,
Srila Prabhupada repeatedly taught that Krishna consciousness must be presented in ways that uplift society, illuminate universal spiritual values, and open the door for people of all backgrounds to discover Dharma. He emphasized that genuine spiritual outreach includes demonstrating how Vedic principles naturally harmonize with the highest expressions of human ethics—compassion, dignity, protection of life, and the cultivation of wisdom.
This initiative presented by the Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS beautifully reflects this vision. By highlighting the historic Tuscan abolition of torture and capital punishment and placing it in dialogue with the Indo-Vedic concept of Dharma, the project offers an accessible and culturally relevant entry point into Krishna conscious philosophy. It allows scholars, institutions, and the wider public to appreciate how Bhakti-Vedanta upholds universal values of justice and mercy, thus creating favorable ground for deeper spiritual understanding.
In this spirit, the work embodies Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to engage with society through culture, education, and enlightened leadership—showing that Vedic wisdom is not confined to history or tradition but is a living, transformative force capable of guiding contemporary humanity toward compassion, harmony, and higher consciousness.
So I wish to inform you of an initiative that we at the Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies have undertaken with a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
The Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies presented to the Regional Government of Tuscany (Italy) a cultural project dedicated to celebrating the historic abolition of torture and capital punishment, enacted in 1786 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
By Krishna’s grace, the project was selected and officially funded by the Regional Government of Tuscany, which recognized its cultural and educational value.
The Regional Government of Tuscany acknowledged the merit of this initiative, granting most of the requested co-financing—originally set at 59% of the total budget—thus confirming the importance of our contribution to the promotion of culture, ethics, and spirituality within contemporary society.
It is significant to remember that this enlightened reform, inspired by principles of human dignity and the sanctity of life, was promulgated thirty-one months before the outbreak of the French Revolution, anticipating by more than a century and a half the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Paris, 1948).
It was the first law in the world to abolish torture and the death penalty — a shining testimony of elevated humanity and governance grounded in compassion, justice, and reverence for life. These values resonate deeply with the Vedic concept of Dharma and the Bhakti-Vedanta spiritual vision that Srila Prabhupada so tirelessly shared throughout the world.
While in France the desire for freedom would soon take the tragic form of terror, in Tuscany justice found a path of mercy and civilization through the foresight of a ruler guided by ethical and spiritual ideals. Such moments in history remind us of Krishna’s unseen hand guiding human society toward higher principles.
The project aims to present to a broad audience the parallels between Indo-Vedic Dharma — in its highest expression within the Bhakti-Vedanta tradition — and the Tuscan Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, embodied by Pietro Leopoldo and the humanistic and reformist spirit of his time.
Our purpose is to show how, in different eras and cultures, the spiritual vision of Dharma and the rational pursuit of justice and freedom converge in the shared values of compassion, respect for life, and human dignity — values which Srila Prabhupada emphasized as foundational for a peaceful and spiritually progressive society.
For this reason, we have produced a comprehensive body of work — philosophical, historical, juridical, sociological, and pedagogical — exploring the dialogue between Bhakti-Vedanta and the European Enlightenment in a comparative, thoughtful, and accessible manner.
These materials, already available in Italian and currently being translated into English, are intended for cultural dissemination and for academic as well as spiritual education, serving as a bridge for sincere seekers to approach Vedic knowledge through universal ethical principles.
It is with great joy that I make this documentation available to my Godbrothers and to ISKCON’s educational institutions worldwide, hoping it may serve as an example of how Vedic culture can harmonize with universal social values and as a tool for further cooperation in the fields of education and spiritual outreach — all in service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Anyone wishing to receive the complete materials or collaborate with the CSB in their dissemination is warmly welcome to contact me; I will gladly provide all necessary details.
This is the link of the event: https://www.centrostudi.net/en/events/enlightenment-and-dharma.html
With gratitude,
Matsya Avatar Das ACBSP
Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies
Italy
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