Brenda Khan
The concept of reincarnation, or to take on the flesh again, has been a topic of fascination and mystery for mankind since its origin. Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism have historically accepted and embraced the idea of reincarnation, with some differences in their specific beliefs. Among these, Hinduism and Buddhism are known to advocate for a vegetarian diet, with Buddhism emphasizing this as a principle of non-violence towards living beings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reincarnation | Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism |
| Vegetarian Diet | Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism |
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What You'll Learn
Hinduism
The belief in reincarnation and karma is deeply ingrained in Hindu philosophy and has influenced Indian culture and society for millennia. It is first mentioned in the Upanishads, part of the Vedic texts, which form the foundation of Hindu philosophy. According to Hindu teachings, the soul carries mental impressions from its previous lives, and these impressions influence its current life and future rebirths. This belief provides Hindus with a sense of inner peace and self-assurance, as it removes the pressure of achieving perfection in a single lifetime and offers hope for self-improvement across multiple lifetimes.
Vegetarianism and veganism are important aspects of Hindu practices related to karma and reincarnation. Hindus consider cows sacred, and many abstain from consuming beef. By treating animals well and refraining from eating their flesh, Hindus believe they increase their karmic energy and improve their path to reincarnation. This belief further emphasizes the importance of compassion and ethical living in Hinduism, which are essential for spiritual liberation and breaking free from the cycle of rebirth.
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Buddhism
The practice of vegetarianism in Buddhism aligns with their principle of non-harming towards all sentient beings. This means that Buddhists strive to avoid causing any harm to any living creature, and this belief in reincarnation and vegetarianism is unique to Buddhism when compared to other religions.
While Buddhism is often associated with peace and non-violence, it is worth noting that other eastern religions, such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, also believe in reincarnation to varying degrees. Hinduism and Jainism, like Buddhism, are more accepting of reincarnation, while main monotheistic religions like Christianity, Islam, and their sub-sects generally deny the concept.
The belief in reincarnation in Buddhism is foundational, and it is tied to the concept of liberation or "moksha". When all desire has vanished, the person will not be reborn, and they will attain liberation, breaking free from the cycle of birth and death. This liberation is described as the attainment of perfect peace and happiness, where the soul realizes its unity with the Brahman.
In summary, Buddhism is a unique religion that prescribes to vegetarianism and believes in reincarnation. This is based on their principles of non-violence, compassion, and the desire to avoid harming any living creature. The belief in reincarnation is central to Buddhism, and it is tied to the concept of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
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Jainism
Jains believe that bad karma is caused by harming living things and that plants, animals, and even some non-living things (like air and water) have souls, just as humans do. To avoid bad karma, Jains must practice ahimsa, a strict code of nonviolence, which includes doing no harm to humans, plants, animals, and nature. This commitment to nonviolence influenced Mahatma Gandhi, who incorporated it into his movement for Indian independence.
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Sikhism
Sikhs believe that by performing good deeds and actions and remembering the creator, they can attain a better life. If evil actions and sinful deeds are carried out, they will be incarnated into "lower" life forms. God may pardon these wrongs and release them from the cycle of rebirth.
The Sikh Gurus have indicated that a simple diet is preferred, which could include meat or be vegetarian. However, the consumption of Kutha meat, or meat that has been ritually slaughtered, is prohibited. This is because Sikhs believe that sacrificing an animal in the name of God is a form of ritualism, which should be avoided. In the Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, only lacto-vegetarian food is served. This is because the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) is open to all, and people of many faiths have varying dietary restrictions.
Some sects of Sikhism, such as Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and Namdharis, believe that the Sikh diet should be entirely meat-free. However, the general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt a meat diet or not.
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Some Christian and Islamic sects
While the major Christian and Islamic denominations reject the concept of reincarnation, some of their sects do believe in it.
Christian Sects
The belief in reincarnation is more common among contemporary Christians in the West, with about one-fifth to one-quarter of Europeans and Americans embracing the idea. In addition, between 20 and 30% of people in Western countries who may be nominal Christians also believe in reincarnation.
Christian sects that believe in reincarnation include the Bogomils, the Cathars, and the Gnostic sects such as the Sethians and followers of Valentinus. The followers of Bardaisan of Mesopotamia, deemed heretical by the Catholic Church, drew upon Chaldean astrology and Greek ideas, including a concept similar to reincarnation. The early Christian Church was divided between the Roman faction, which rejected reincarnation, and the Jerusalem faction, which believed in it. The latter viewed Jesus as a man who achieved the human-divine oneness, which is the goal of everyone to escape the reincarnation cycle of birth and death and attain eternal life.
Some Christians also believe in biblical reincarnation, which holds that certain people are or can be reincarnations of biblical figures. For example, John the Baptist is considered by some to be a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah, and Jesus as the reincarnation of Elijah's disciple Elisha. The leaders of certain sects in the Catholic Church, such as Marie-Paule Giguère of the Army of Mary and Maria Franciszka of the former Mariavites, have taught that they are reincarnations of Mary.
Islamic Sects
During the early history of Islam, some Caliphs persecuted reincarnation-believing people, such as Manichaeism, in Mesopotamia and Persia (modern-day Iraq and Iran). However, some Muslim minority sects, particularly the heterodox ones, have retained pre-Islamic Hindu and Buddhist beliefs in reincarnation. These include the Sufis and some Muslims in South Asia and Indonesia. The Alawites, for instance, believe they were originally stars or divine lights that were cast out of heaven and must undergo repeated reincarnation before returning to heaven.
Vegetarianism
While belief in reincarnation and vegetarianism is often associated with Hinduism, it is not exclusively tied to any particular culture or religion. Vegetarianism is also emphasized by Buddhism, and some Christians and Muslims may adopt a vegetarian diet based on their personal beliefs and interpretations of their faith.
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