Milly Gaines
Vegetarianism, the practice of living on vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts, has been around for thousands of years. Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Egypt and India, where it was influenced by religious beliefs and philosophical ideas. Over time, vegetarianism spread to other parts of the world, including China, Japan, and the Mediterranean, often associated with religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Brahmanism, Hinduism, and Christianity. In the Christian Era, vegetarianism declined but regained visibility in the 18th and 19th centuries due to Darwin's theory of evolution. Today, vegetarianism is gaining popularity again, driven by ethical, health, environmental, and social concerns, with an increasing number of people adopting plant-based diets.
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What You'll Learn
Ancient roots: Egypt, India, Greece
Vegetarianism is a dietary pattern with ancient roots. In ancient Egypt, for instance, it is believed that people followed a largely vegetarian diet. This is based on research that analysed the carbon atoms in mummies that lived in Egypt between 3500 BC and 600 AD. The results indicated that the ancient Egyptians primarily consumed wheat and barley, with cereals such as millet and sorghum forming a minor part of their diet. Interestingly, there is also evidence to suggest that fish was not a prominent part of their diet, despite their proximity to the Nile River.
In ancient India, the vegetarian lifestyle was also deeply rooted in the country's historical traditions. Vegetarian cuisine existed as early as the Vedic period, between 1500 and 500 BCE, and was influenced by the concept of Guṇa, a central term in Hindu philosophy. During this time, Brahmins, the priests of the highest caste, often adhered to vegetarian diets guided by the Sattva philosophy, which associated vegetarian foods with positive qualities. Jain and Buddhist sources also indicate that the principle of nonviolence toward animals, which discouraged meat consumption, was established in these religions as early as the 6th century BCE.
Turning to ancient Greece, the vegetarian diet was called "abstinence from beings with a soul" in Ancient Greek. While Greek literature and art often depict the consumption of meat, it is believed that meat was expensive and reserved for special occasions. The practice of strict vegetarianism in ancient Greece was influenced by philosophical and religious schools of thought that promoted universal nonviolence and the transmigration of the soul. The earliest evidence of this practice dates back to the 6th century BCE and is associated with the Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, who voiced moral objections to the mistreatment of animals.
Overall, these ancient civilisations demonstrate that vegetarianism has been a part of human dietary practices for thousands of years, influenced by ethical, religious, and philosophical beliefs.
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Religious influence: Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity
Vegetarianism has been influenced by various religious beliefs and practices, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Christianity.
Buddhism
Buddhism, with over half a billion followers worldwide, is a religion that emphasises non-violence and compassion towards all living beings. The principle of non-violence, or 'ahimsa', is central to Buddhist teachings, and many Buddhists interpret this as a reason to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. The Mahayana tradition, for example, is strictly vegetarian and claims that Gautama Buddha taught that his followers must not eat the flesh of any sentient being. The Lankavatara Sutra, a key text in Mahayana Buddhism, states: "For the sake of love of purity, the Bodhisattva, whose nature is compassion, is not to eat any meat." Other Buddhist texts, such as the Jataka Tales, also highlight stories where the Buddha exemplifies compassion and respect for all animals, refusing to harm or eat them.
However, it is important to note that Buddhist views on diet vary by tradition and region, and there is no single dietary rule that all Buddhists must follow. Some Buddhists do consume meat, and there are various interpretations of the Buddhist teachings on diet. For example, some Buddhists believe that it is acceptable to eat meat as long as the animal was not killed specifically for them, while others may prioritise preventing food waste over vegetarianism.
Jainism
Jainism is another religion that strongly influences vegetarianism. Jain vegetarianism is one of the most rigorous forms of spiritually motivated diets, not only excluding meat, fish, and eggs but also root and underground vegetables to prevent harming insects and microorganisms during the harvesting process. Jains believe in the principle of 'ahimsa', or non-violence, which is extended to all living beings, including insects and microorganisms. Jain scriptures explicitly state that all living creatures should not be "slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away". As a result, Jainism mandates a strict vegetarian diet, and in 2021, it was found that 92% of self-identified Jains in India adhered to some type of vegetarian diet.
Christianity
Christianity has also influenced vegetarianism, although the practice varies among different Christian groups. Early Christian vegetarianism appears to have been widespread in the leadership and laity, but it has been downplayed in favour of more "modern" Christian culture. Some Christian groups, such as the Ebionites, are considered to have practised vegetarianism. The Bible Christian Church, founded in 1809, followed a vegetarian diet, and some modern Christian groups, such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, also encourage vegetarianism for health reasons and in adherence to kosher laws. However, most Christians maintain that Jesus's teachings demonstrate that dietary choices are a matter of "Christian liberty", and vegetarianism or veganism is not obligatory.
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Motivations: ethical, health, environmental
Vegetarianism has been around for a long time, with the earliest records of the concept and practice stemming from ancient India, especially among Hindus and Jains. The vegetarian lifestyle is deeply rooted in India's traditions, with vegetarian cuisine existing as early as the time of the Vedas. Brahmins, the priests of the highest caste, often adhered to vegetarian diets guided by the Sattva philosophy, which refers to the qualities or attributes of food.
Ethical Motivations
The ethical motivations behind vegetarianism have a long history, with the concept of nonviolence toward animals (called ahimsa in India) being central to ancient Indian religions and Greek philosophical schools. In Hinduism, vegetarianism is mandatory for yogis, with the belief that saatvik food, or pure food, is meant to calm and purify the mind and keep the body healthy. In Chinese Buddhism and Taoism, monks and nuns follow a vegetarian diet free of eggs and onions, reflecting the belief that animals possess immortal souls.
In the European Renaissance, vegetarianism reemerged as a philosophical concept based on ethical motivations. Thinkers such as Leonardo da Vinci and Pierre Gassendi supported the idea, and English writer Thomas Tryon published the vegetarian text "The Way to Health, Long Life and Happiness" in 1683. Immanuel Kant, while believing that there are no ethical duties toward animals, observed that "He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
Health Motivations
Health has been a motivating factor for vegetarianism for centuries, with the belief that a plant-based diet is the healthiest for humans. In ancient India, the Sattva philosophy promoted vegetarianism as a way to keep the body healthy and enable the mind to function at its maximum potential. Chinese spirituality also holds that a grain-based diet is the healthiest for humans. During the Age of Enlightenment and the early nineteenth century in England, vegetarianism was propagated as an essential part of "the natural way of life" to improve public health.
Environmental Motivations
The environmental impact of meat production and consumption has become an increasingly important consideration in modern times. While ancient cultures such as the Jains and Buddhists advocated for nonviolence toward animals, the motivation to reduce harm to the environment through vegetarianism has gained prominence in recent years. Today, many people are motivated to adopt vegetarianism to help combat climate change and promote sustainable nutrition, which is crucial for the well-being of humankind.
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Modern popularity: health benefits, animal rights
Vegetarianism has been around for millennia, with roots in various religious and philosophical traditions. In the modern era, it has gained popularity due to a combination of factors, including health benefits, concerns for animal rights, and environmental considerations.
Health Benefits
Vegetarian diets are considered nutritionally adequate and can supply people's nutritional needs at all life stages, provided they are well-planned. They have been linked to several health benefits, including the prevention and better control of chronic diseases. Studies have found that a plant-based diet can positively impact intestinal microbiota, contributing to overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Positive outcomes have been observed in the control of cardiovascular disease risk factors, with clinical trials promoting lifestyle changes that include vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based diets.
Animal Rights
Concerns for animal rights and welfare have been a significant motivator for many vegetarians. Religious and philosophical traditions that preach nonviolence and respect for all living beings, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and the Hare Krishna movement, have influenced the adoption of vegetarian diets. In Western societies, animal rights are one of the three main reasons cited for following a vegetarian diet, along with health and environmental concerns.
Environmental Concerns
The environmental impact of meat production and consumption has also contributed to the modern popularity of vegetarianism. Reducing meat consumption is seen as a way to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable nutrition, which is crucial for the well-being of humankind.
The combination of these factors has led to a significant rise in the practice of vegetarianism since the mid-20th century, with Asia, particularly India, having the highest prevalence of vegetarianism worldwide.
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Variations: veganism, pescetarianism, ovo-vegetarianism
Vegetarianism has been around since at least the time of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who may have advocated an early form of strict vegetarianism. The term "vegetarian" has been in use since around 1839, and vegetarianism established itself as a significant movement in 19th-century Britain and the United States.
Veganism
The term "vegan" comes from the Chinese character 素 (sù), which first appeared in bronze inscriptions from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1027–771 BCE). It originally meant "undyed silk" but evolved to refer to the humble diet of the poor and then to the Buddhist diet, which requires abstinence from meat and animal products. The first known vegan cookbook was Asenath Nicholson's "Kitchen Philosophy for Vegetarians", published in 1849. Veganism has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with a 185% increase in new vegan products in the UK between 2012 and 2016.
Pescetarianism
The term "pescetarian" is a combination of the Italian word "pesce" (fish) and the English word "vegetarian". It was coined in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. Pescetarianism includes fish and other seafood in an otherwise vegetarian diet. It has been practised by various groups throughout history, including several orders of monks in medieval Europe and the anchorites of England. In recent years, pescetarianism has become more popular, especially among women, and is seen as a healthy alternative to other diets.
Ovo-vegetarianism
Ovo-vegetarianism, or ovo-lacto vegetarianism, is a type of vegetarianism that allows the consumption of animal products such as dairy and eggs but forbids animal flesh. It is the most common and traditional type of vegetarianism in the Western world and is also prevalent in Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Ovo-lacto vegetarian diets have been found to have positive effects on blood lipids and are associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegetarianism has been around since at least 3200 BC, when ancient Egyptian civilizations started adopting vegetarian diets.
Many religions preach respect for all living beings and advocate for vegetarianism. These include Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, Brahmanism, Hinduism, and some Christian monastic orders.
People adopt vegetarianism for ethical, ascetic, environmental, or nutritional reasons. Ethical vegetarians object to eating meat out of respect for sentient animal life. Ascetics may view it as a form of physical austerity. Environmentalists may see it as a way to reduce their carbon footprint. Finally, nutritionists view it as a way to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases and maintain a healthier microbiota.
