Veganism: An Ancient Practice Or Modern Trend?

The concept of veganism, or a plant-based diet, has been around for thousands of years, with evidence of people choosing to avoid animal products dating back over 2,000 years. The term veganism, however, is more modern, having been coined in 1944 by British woodworker Donald Watson. Watson, along with five other non-dairy vegetarians, founded the Vegan Society in the UK in November 1944, seeking to end the exploitation of animals by humans. While the roots of veganism are ancient and global, with connections to ancient Indian, Egyptian, Greek, and west Asian cultures, the modern vegan movement began with Watson and the Vegan Society, which continues to promote vegan lifestyles today.

The term 'vegan' was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson

In November 1944, Watson called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians, including Elsie Shrigley, to discuss non-dairy vegetarian diets and lifestyles. Together, they founded The Vegan Society, a new movement that separated from the London Vegetarian Society, which refused to support veganism, deeming it extreme and antisocial.

The group felt they needed a word to describe their new way of life—something more concise than 'non-dairy vegetarians'. Rejected words included 'dairyban', 'vitan', and 'benevore'. They eventually settled on 'vegan', a word that Watson described as containing the first three and last two letters of 'vegetarian', marking "the beginning and end of vegetarian". The word was coined from a suggestion by early Vegan Society members, Mr George A. Henderson and his wife Fay K. Henderson, that the society be called 'Allvega' and the magazine 'Allvegan'.

In the words of Watson, veganism was "all about ending the deliberate harming of animals". He explained his motivation as an ethical concern for sentient animals, believing that:

> "Our present civilisation is built on the exploitation of animals, just as past civilisations were built on the exploitation of slaves, and we believe the spiritual destiny of man is such that in time he will view with abhorrence the idea that men once fed on the products of animals' bodies."

Watson also objected to any harm caused to living creatures and was a committed pacifist, registering as a conscientious objector during World War II. He was an advocate of healthy living, abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and any foods or substances he regarded as toxins.

In 1944, Watson launched the first edition of the Society's quarterly newsletter, 'The Vegan News', which he ran single-handedly for two years, writing and duplicating the newsletter, and responding to the increasing volume of correspondence. By the time of his death in 2005, there were 250,000 self-identifying vegans in Britain and 2 million in the US.

The concept of veganism can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies

The earliest records of vegetarianism as a concept and practice amongst a significant number of people are from ancient India, especially among Hindus and Jains. Vegetarianism in ancient India was closely connected with the idea of nonviolence toward animals, or ahimsa. Jain and Buddhist sources show that the principle of nonviolence toward animals was an established rule in both religions as early as the 6th century BCE. Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Jain leader whom modern historians consider to be a historical figure, lived in the 9th century BCE. He is said to have preached nonviolence as strictly as it was practised in the Jain community during the times of Mahavira (6th century BCE).

In addition, the vegetarian lifestyle is deeply rooted in India's historical traditions, as vegetarian cuisine existed as early as the time of the Vedas. The early history of Indian dietary practices, especially during the Vedic period, was shaped by the concept of the Guṇa – a central term in Hindu philosophy that refers to qualities or attributes. It was believed that the three Guṇas – Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas – manifested in the forms of "vegetarian," "spicy," and "meaty" foods, respectively. Brahmins, the priests of the highest caste, often adhered to vegetarian diets guided by the Sattva philosophy.

In ancient Greece during Classical antiquity, the vegetarian diet was called "abstinence from beings with a soul". The earliest European/Asian Minor references to a vegetarian diet occur in Homer (Odyssey 9, 82–104) and Herodotus (4, 177), who mention the Lotophagi (Lotus-eaters), an indigenous people on the North African coast, who according to Herodotus lived on nothing but the fruits of a plant called lotus.

The earliest reliable evidence for vegetarian theory and practice in Greece dates from the 6th century BCE. The followers of Pythagoras (called Pythagoreans) did not always practise strict vegetarianism, but at least their inner circle did. For the general public, abstention from meat was a hallmark of the so-called "Pythagorean way of life". Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species, including humans.

The first vegans were influenced by the diets of religious figures such as Buddha and Pythagoras

The concept of veganism, or flesh-avoidance, has ancient roots in the diets of religious figures such as Buddha and Pythagoras. The term "vegan" was coined in 1944, but the idea of abstaining from meat and animal products has been around for millennia.

Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, founded Buddhism in the 5th to 4th century B.C. in the eastern part of India. There are several forms of Buddhism, including Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana, each with slightly different interpretations of Buddha's teachings, particularly regarding diet. Mahayana Buddhists generally recommend a vegetarian diet, claiming that Gautama Buddha set forth in some of the sutras that his followers must not eat the flesh of any sentient being. Some Buddhists avoid meat consumption because of the first precept in Buddhism: "I undertake the precept to refrain from taking life". However, not all Buddhists interpret the teachings in the same way, and some consume meat and other animal products as long as the animals are not slaughtered specifically for them.

Pythagoras of Samos, a Greek philosopher and mathematician, is credited with first mentioning vegetarianism around 500 BCE. In addition to his theorem about right triangles, Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species, including humans. He believed in metempsychosis, the transmigration of souls, and taught that all animals, not just humans, had souls, which were immortal and reincarnated after death. Pythagoras and his disciples lived on a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables, which he also believed to be healthier than a meat-based diet.

The influence of these religious figures on the first vegans is evident. The diets of Buddha and Pythagoras, with their emphasis on compassion and benevolence toward all living beings, provided a moral framework for those seeking to avoid causing harm to animals. The concept of metempsychosis, as espoused by Pythagoras, also raised questions about the consumption of meat, as it suggested the possibility of humans being reborn as animals.

While the diets of Buddha and Pythagoras may have influenced the first vegans, it is important to note that veganism as a modern movement has evolved to include not only dietary choices but also lifestyle choices that seek to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals. Today, people choose to become vegan for a variety of reasons, including ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, and health benefits.

The first vegan cookbook was published in 1849

The concept of veganism has been around for millennia, with ancient societies in India and the eastern Mediterranean, as well as ancient Greek philosophers, advocating for the avoidance of meat and, in some cases, all animal products. However, the term "vegan" and the modern vegan movement are more recent developments. The term "vegan" was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson to describe those who, unlike vegetarians, did not consume dairy or eggs.

The first vegan cookbook, titled "Kitchen Philosophy for Vegetarians", was published in 1849 by Asenath Nicholson. This cookbook was a significant milestone in the history of veganism, as it provided specific recipes and guidance for those following a plant-based diet. The book was likely influenced by the growing interest in vegetarianism and the establishment of the first vegetarian societies in England and the United States in the mid-19th century.

The publication of "Kitchen Philosophy for Vegetarians" marked a turning point in the vegan movement, as it provided a tangible resource for those interested in veganism and helped to spread awareness of this lifestyle. It is important to note that the concept of veganism continued to evolve over time, and the definition and practices of veganism were refined and expanded upon by subsequent vegan societies and activists.

The 1849 publication of the first vegan cookbook was a pioneering step in the history of veganism, and it helped to lay the foundation for the development and growth of the vegan movement in subsequent decades. It demonstrated that a plant-based diet was not only possible but also provided a variety of delicious and nutritious options. This cookbook likely inspired others to explore veganism and contributed to the increasing awareness and acceptance of veganism as a viable lifestyle choice.

The impact of the first vegan cookbook extended beyond the kitchen, as it sparked conversations and debates about the ethical, environmental, and health implications of consuming animal products. It encouraged people to question traditional dietary habits and consider the potential benefits of a plant-based approach. The publication of this cookbook also highlighted the growing interest in veganism and helped to validate it as a legitimate and worthwhile lifestyle choice.

The Vegan Society was founded in 1944

The concept of veganism, or flesh-avoidance, has been around for thousands of years. Ancient societies in India and the eastern Mediterranean, as well as ancient Greek philosophers like Pythagoras, promoted the idea of benevolence among all species. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism also advocated for vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.

However, the term "vegan" and the modern vegan movement can be traced back to 1944 with the founding of The Vegan Society. In November of that year, British woodworker Donald Watson called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians, including Elsie Shrigley, to discuss non-dairy vegetarian diets and lifestyles. These six pioneers actively founded a new movement, feeling that a new word was needed to describe their dietary choices and lifestyles. They considered several options, including "dairyban", "vitan", and "benevore", before settling on "vegan", a word that Watson later described as containing the first three and last two letters of "vegetarian".

The term "vegan" was coined to distinguish this group from vegetarians, who may still consume dairy and eggs. Watson and his fellow vegans believed that the production of dairy and eggs was unethical and exploitative of animals. In fact, in 1943, the year before The Vegan Society was founded, Watson and Shrigley had petitioned the Vegetarian Society to allow a non-dairy group to be set up within their organisation, but their request was refused.

The founding members of The Vegan Society also believed that veganism was a necessary and fundamental part of the moral evolution of humanity. Watson, who had been sickened by the events of World War II, saw the vegan movement as the 'salvation of Man'. He and other early vegans drew connections between humanity's tyranny towards each other and towards animals, believing that veganism was a way to end all forms of exploitation and cruelty.

Since its founding in 1944, The Vegan Society has made tremendous progress in promoting vegan lifestyles and raising awareness about the benefits of veganism for animals, people, and the environment. The society became a registered charity in 1979 and has continued to refine its definition of veganism over the years. Today, veganism is a global movement with a diverse range of followers, and it continues to grow in popularity as more people become concerned about animal welfare, the environment, and their health.

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