Milly Gaines
Vegetarianism and veganism are dietary choices that have been adopted by people across the world for a variety of reasons, including cultural, religious, and ecological concerns. While some religions do not explicitly require their followers to adopt a vegetarian diet, many religious groups actively promote vegetarianism on religious and humanitarian grounds. For instance, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a branch of Christianity, promotes vegetarianism and has been linked to better health and longer lifespans among its followers. In Judaism, the Book of Daniel is viewed as showing religious support for vegetarianism, and Jewish dietary law stresses the avoidance of cruelty to animals. In Islam, while most Muslims who eat meat follow Halal dietary laws, the religion also stresses kindness, mercy, and compassion for animals. In addition, some sects of Neopaganism and Taoism advocate for vegetarianism, and in India, religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism have strong traditions of vegetarianism, with close to 85% of India's population practicing these religions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious traditions that promote vegetarianism | Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Neopaganism, Rastafari movement, Seventh-day Adventists (branch of Christianity) |
| Reasons for following a vegetarian diet | Religious obligation, humanitarian concerns, ecological concerns, animal welfare, health benefits |
| Religious texts promoting vegetarianism | The Book of Daniel, Genesis 1:29 |
| Religious figures promoting vegetarianism | The Buddha, Ellen White (founder of Seventh-day Adventists) |
| Religious practices related to vegetarianism | Eating vegetarian on specific dates, such as the lunar calendar days and Lent |
| Geographic regions associated with vegetarianism | India, Israel, Jamaica, China, Vietnam, Korea |
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What You'll Learn
Hinduism and vegetarianism
Hinduism is often associated with vegetarianism, and it is true that many Hindus are vegetarian. However, this is not a requirement of the religion, and the practice varies between different Hindu communities and regions. Vegetarianism is a dietary ideal among many Hindus, based on the concept of ahimsa, or non-violence and compassion towards all beings. It is also considered sattvic, associated with qualities such as goodness, balance, and serenity that are conducive to spiritual progress.
Hindu scriptures have long supported the spiritual benefits of a vegetarian diet, and the general Hindu take on eating a vegetarian diet has long been that it is "highly meritorious". The Tirukkuṛaḷ, an ancient Indian secular text of Hindu or Jain origin, emphasizes ahimsa and insists on moral vegetarianism or veganism. It states that "flesh is nothing but the despicable wound of a mangled body" and that "not eating flesh is a practice more sacred than the most sacred religious practices ever known". The Mahabharata also states that "the sins generated by violence curtail the life of the perpetrator. Therefore, even those who are anxious for their own welfare should abstain from meat-eating."
However, it is important to note that the practice of vegetarianism is not uniform among Hindus and can vary depending on region, family, and social class. While some Hindus may be strict vegetarians, others may restrict their consumption of meat in other ways, such as by abstaining from certain types of meat or only eating meat on certain days. For example, Brahmins from Kashmir eat meat, while Brahmins from Bengal eat fish. Additionally, some Hindus may be vegetarian for reasons unrelated to religion, such as the high cost of meat or personal health reasons.
The perception of vegetarianism in Hinduism is also influenced by the broader cultural and historical context. For example, the migration of Hindus to Western countries like the United States and the growth of industrialization and urbanization in India have contributed to the spread of vegetarianism as a "western vision" or cultural export. Additionally, the influence of other religions and philosophies, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Vaishnavism, has also played a role in shaping the dietary practices of some Hindu communities.
Overall, while vegetarianism is a common practice among Hindus and is supported by Hindu scriptures, it is not a mandatory requirement of the religion. The decision to follow a vegetarian diet varies depending on individual beliefs, regional and community practices, and other cultural and economic factors.
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Jainism and veganism
Vegetarianism and veganism are strongly linked with a number of religious traditions worldwide. Religions that originated in India, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, are known for their vegetarian traditions. While Jainism doesn't fit the purest form of veganism, the two concepts are linked.
Jainism is an ancient Indian faith that originated in north India sometime between the 5th and 7th centuries BCE, predating Buddhism. It is considered one of the most rigorous forms of spiritually motivated diets on the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Jainism stresses the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence, which is the basic principle of life for all Jains. This includes all living things, not just human beings but also insects and tiny creatures. Jains believe that non-violence is the most essential religious duty for everyone, and it is seen as an indispensable condition for liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, which is the ultimate goal of all Jain activities.
The Jain diet, also known as Jain vegetarianism, is completely lacto-vegetarian and excludes root and underground vegetables such as potatoes, garlic, onions, cauliflower, eggplant, and mushrooms. This is to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms, as well as to avoid killing the entire plant. Jains also practice fasting in various forms, with 84% of Jains in India reporting some form of fasting.
The strict non-violent principles of Jainism are often observed by monks and nuns who have taken religious orders. They wear soft, unstitched robes, cover their mouths with masks to avoid inhaling insects, and sweep the path ahead of them to avoid stepping on ants or small creatures.
Jainism has influenced the vegetarian cuisines of various regions in the Indian subcontinent, including the northern districts of Tamil Nadu and the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jain communities are known for their prosperous restaurants and sweet shops, which offer separate Jain menus or Jain versions of popular dishes.
While Jainism and veganism share the principle of avoiding cruelty to animals, there are some differences in their dietary practices. For example, the Jain diet includes dairy products, while strict veganism excludes all animal products. However, traditional dairy farming in India was often ethical and kind to animals, with calves being allowed to have their fill of milk before it was taken for human consumption. This ethical treatment of dairy animals aligns with the Jain principle of ahimsa.
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Buddhism and vegetarianism
The Buddha himself, according to the Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.38 Sukhamala Sutta, came from a wealthy family and consumed non-vegetarian meals before his enlightenment. After attaining enlightenment, he accepted any food offered with good intention, including meat, fruits, and vegetables. This is reflected in the early monks and nuns of Buddhism, who were allowed one meal a day, typically consisting of whatever food they received through alms.
Over time, as Buddhism spread to different regions, the dietary practices of Buddhists evolved. In China, Japan, and other parts of East Asia, monasteries began to grow or purchase food, and vegetarian meals became more common due to the challenges of providing meat for large numbers of people. Several Mahayana sutras written in the 1st millennium CE, such as the Lankavatara Sutra, emphasise vegetarianism and consider meat-eating as a source of suffering. The Mahayana tradition generally recommends a vegetarian diet, citing the belief that the Buddha taught his followers to refrain from consuming the flesh of sentient beings.
However, in regions like Tibet, with its unique geographical and climatic conditions, a year-round vegetarian diet was not always feasible. Additionally, Tibetan medicine suggested that meat consumption had beneficial health effects. As a result, Tibetan Buddhism generally considers vegetarianism a personal choice, and most practitioners consume meat while some choose to be vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan.
Today, the relationship between Buddhism and vegetarianism varies across different schools of thought. While a minority of Buddhist lay believers are strict vegetarians, many others follow monastic-style vegetarianism on specific days, such as Lunar New Year Eve, commemorative holidays, and according to the lunar calendar. Some Buddhist lay followers also observe less stringent forms of vegetarianism or prioritise preventing food waste over a fully vegetarian diet. Ultimately, dietary choices within Buddhism are influenced by individual interpretations of religious teachings, cultural contexts, and personal beliefs.
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Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Vegetarianism is less common in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam than in other faiths. However, there are groups within these religions that promote vegetarianism for religious and humanitarian reasons.
Judaism
Jewish vegetarians often cite Jewish principles regarding animal welfare, environmental ethics, moral character, and health as reasons for adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. While vegetarianism was not a traditional component of mainstream pre-modern Judaism, some Jewish vegetarians argue for environmental vegetarianism, noting that global warming, hunger, and the depletion of natural resources could be mitigated by a global shift to a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some Jewish laws and scriptures are also interpreted as discouraging the consumption of meat. For example, the laws of kashrut in the Torah limit the consumption of certain animals and include precise requirements for how they are to be sacrificed and slaughtered. According to Rabbis Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz and Abraham Isaac Kook, the complexity of these laws was intended to discourage meat consumption. Additionally, some writers assert that the Jewish prophet Isaiah was a vegetarian, based on passages in the Book of Isaiah that extol nonviolence and reverence for life.
Christianity
Christian vegetarianism is often connected to spiritual, nutritional, and ethical reasons. Ethical reasons may include a concern for God's creation and a concern for animal rights and welfare. Some Christians point to the Bible's description of God's initial creation, where all creatures ate plants, as evidence that God intended for all his creatures to be vegetarian. They also cite the vision of the Peaceable Kingdom in the Book of Isaiah, which suggests that God will one day restore creation to a state of universal vegetarianism. While some Christians maintain that Jesus's teachings in the New Testament demonstrate that dietary choices are a matter of "Christian liberty," Christian vegetarians counter that Jesus's teachings emphasize the importance of one's relationship with God, others, and the world. Vegetarianism appears to have been more widespread in early Christianity, with some leaders and laity practicing vegetarianism or pescatarianism. Various Christian churches and leaders have also promoted vegetarianism, including the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Bible Christian Church, and John Wesley, among others.
Islam
Islamic vegetarianism and veganism involve abstaining from meat and other animal products among Muslims. While the majority of Muslims eat meat, many Islamic jurists consider vegetarianism permissible. Religious arguments for a vegetarian diet within Islam include the requirement for compassion and the concept of stewardship (khalifa). Modern proponents of Islamic veganism cite additional reasons for a vegan diet, including the excessive suffering of factory-farmed animals, the environmental impact of the meat and dairy industries, and zoonotic infections. Some Islamic scholars and thinkers, such as Inayat Khan and Bashir Ahmad Masri, have advocated for reduced meat consumption or a completely vegetarian diet. However, vegetarianism is rare among Muslims, and those who adopt it may face prejudice and hostility, especially regarding the tradition of animal slaughter during Eid al-Adha.
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Neopaganism and vegetarianism
Neopaganism, a polytheistic religious movement, is practised in small groups by followers of pre-Christian religious traditions, including Egyptian, Greek, Norse, and Celtic beliefs. The term "neopagan" was coined in the 19th century, with the prefix "neo-" serving to distinguish it from pre-Christian belief systems. Neopaganism covers a wide variety of traditions, including Wicca, Witchcraft, and neoshamanism.
Neopaganism generally emphasizes the sanctity of the Earth and Nature, and many adherents adopt a vegetarian diet out of concern for the environment and animal welfare. This is known as environmental vegetarianism, which is based on the belief that the production of meat and animal products for mass consumption is environmentally unsustainable and harmful. For instance, the livestock industry is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.
Neopagans often incorporate rituals into their practices, centering on natural events such as new and full moons, solstices, and equinoxes. These rituals typically involve the ""casting of a circle" and the "raising of energy" through drumming and chanting. Many Neopagans also practice magic, either in the context of group rituals or as a home-based religious practice, and they may have altars in their homes containing objects from nature, images of deities, and divination tools.
While there is no set teaching on vegetarianism within the diverse neopagan communities, many do follow a vegetarian diet. Vegetarian practitioners of Wicca, for example, may view their dietary choice as a natural extension of the Wiccan Rede. Organizations like SERV refer to historical figures such as Porphyry, Pythagoras, and Iamblichus as sources for the Pagan view of vegetarianism. Additionally, during the 1970s, the publication "Earth Religion News", edited by Herman Slater, focused on articles related to neopaganism and vegetarianism.
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Frequently asked questions
Many religions have adherents that follow a vegetarian diet, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Jains follow a strict vegetarian diet, and some are close to vegan, excluding various vegetables like potatoes, onions, and garlic. This is due to their belief in ahimsa, or non-violence, and the desire to avoid harming any living creature.
Vegetarianism is a strong tradition in Hindu religions due to the reverence for the sacred cow. It is viewed as a spiritual practice by many Hindus.
While vegetarianism is less common in Abrahamic religions, some groups within these religions promote vegetarianism. For example, the Seventh-day Adventist branch of Christianity promotes vegetarianism, and some Christians practice temporary vegetarianism during Lent. In Judaism, the Book of Daniel is viewed as showing support for vegetarianism, and Jewish dietary law stresses the avoidance of cruelty to animals. In Islam, many Muslims who eat meat follow Halal dietary laws, but some Muslims follow a vegetarian diet based on the religion's stress on kindness, mercy, and compassion for animals.
The views on vegetarianism in Buddhism vary between different schools of thought. Some Buddhist monks are strict vegetarians, and in some Sutras, Buddha stressed that followers should not eat meat or fish. However, in the Theravada school of Buddhism, monks are allowed to eat meat if the animal was not killed on their behalf.
