Brenda Khan
The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras is often regarded as the father of vegetarianism. Pythagoras and his followers were vegetarians, and this practice was rooted in his spiritual beliefs. Pythagoras believed in the concept of metempsychosis or the transmigration of souls, which holds that every soul is immortal and, upon death, enters into a new body. This belief led him to adopt a diet free of animal products, as he thought that consuming meat could lead to the consumption of the soul of a relative or friend. Pythagoras' diet consisted of bread, honey, and vegetables, and he believed this to be healthier than a meat-based diet. His dietary choices made him an outcast in society, as meat-eating was common in ancient Greece and was usually consumed at public festivals that cemented society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for vegetarianism | Pythagoras believed in the transmigration of souls, which holds that every soul is immortal and, upon death, enters into a new body. He believed that if souls migrated from humans to animals, how could anyone eat meat? |
| Influence | Pythagoras was likely influenced by the priests of ancient Egypt, where the concept of voluntary rejection of meat was already known five thousand years ago. He may have also been influenced by his contemporaries, Buddha and Mahavira (the reformer of Jainism). |
| Diet | Pythagoras and his disciples lived on a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables, which he believed to be healthier than a meat-based diet. |
| Legacy | Pythagoras was considered the ""father of vegetarianism". A vegetarian diet was called a "Pythagorean diet" until 1944 when the term "vegan" was coined. |
| Lifestyle | Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician. He wore white robes and trousers, an unusual style for the time. |
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What You'll Learn
Pythagoras' belief in the transmigration of souls
The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras is often regarded as the "father of vegetarianism". Pythagoras and his followers were vegetarians, and this practice was rooted in his belief in the transmigration of souls, or metempsychosis. This teaching holds that every soul is immortal and, upon death, enters into a new body.
Pythagoras's belief in the transmigration of souls was central to his teachings and those of his followers, known as Pythagoreans. The idea of metempsychosis suggests that after death, the soul moves into a new body, with lives unconditioned by any actions performed in previous lives. This belief in the immortality and reincarnation of the soul led Pythagoras to adopt a vegetarian diet, as consuming meat could potentially lead to the consumption of another human soul.
Pythagoras's belief in the transmigration of souls was likely influenced by various sources. Some suggest that he was influenced by the priests of ancient Egypt, where the concept of voluntarily rejecting meat was already known. He may have also been influenced by his contemporaries, such as Buddha and Mahavira, the reformer of Jainism. The teachings of Pythagoras and his belief in the transmigration of souls were further developed and spread by his followers, who established Pythagorean communities in ancient Greece and Italy.
The Pythagorean diet, as it was called until 1944, was based on the idea that a vegetarian diet was healthier and enhanced the search for Arete, or excellence. Pythagoras and his disciples lived on a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables, believing it to be superior to a meat-based diet. This belief in the benefits of a vegetarian diet extended beyond just moral and spiritual concerns, as Pythagoras also considered the impact of meat consumption on one's physical health.
Pythagoras's belief in the transmigration of souls and his subsequent vegetarian diet made him stand out in ancient Greek society. Meat was highly prized in Greece, especially among athletes, and was consumed during public festivals as a way to cement social bonds. By rejecting meat, Pythagoras and his followers became somewhat ostracized, as they were seen as rejecting the entire system of the polis. Despite this, Pythagoras's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with the Pythagorean movement continuing to grow and spread even after his death.
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The influence of ancient Egyptian priests
The ancient Egyptian priests likely influenced Pythagoras's vegetarian diet. Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher who is often credited as the "father of vegetarians". However, it is important to note that vegetarian movements were already present in other parts of the ancient world.
Pythagoras's ideas about diet and rejection of meat were influenced by various factors, including his contemporaries like Buddha and Mahavira, the reformer of Jainism. The concept of voluntary rejection of meat was already known to the ancient Egyptian priests, and Pythagoras may have been exposed to these ideas during his travels.
First, Pythagoras was interested in the way of life of the Egyptian priests and sought to participate in their practices. He approached the tyrant Polycrates of Samos, who wrote a letter of introduction to Amasis, the king of Egypt, requesting that Pythagoras be allowed to train with the Egyptian priests. Pythagoras's endurance and approval of the Egyptian way of life are mentioned by Antiphon in his book "On the Life of Those Who Excelled in Virtue."
Second, the Egyptian priests had a code of secrecy, keeping their best ideas for privileged members only. This created an aura of mystery and awe around them. Pythagoras adopted a similar code of silence in his school at Croton in Italy, creating an exclusive club that bonded his followers together.
Third, the Egyptian priests may have introduced Pythagoras to the concept of voluntary rejection of meat. The idea of abstaining from meat was already known in Egypt, and it is possible that Pythagoras was influenced by this during his time with the priests.
Finally, the Egyptian priests' influence may have extended beyond diet to other aspects of Pythagoras's philosophy. For example, the Egyptian priests' emphasis on self-control and secrecy may have resonated with Pythagoras's own teachings on friendship and communal living.
In conclusion, the ancient Egyptian priests had a significant influence on Pythagoras and his vegetarian diet. Their way of life, secrecy, and rejection of meat may have shaped Pythagoras's philosophy and lifestyle choices. While Pythagoras did not succeed in making vegetarianism mainstream in Greece, his ideas continue to resonate with those who choose a meat-free diet today. Vegetarianism has a long history, and Pythagoras's influence on this movement is undeniable.
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The impact of Buddha and Mahavira
The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is known for being one of the earliest vegetarians. He and his disciples lived on a diet of bread, honey, and vegetables, which he believed to be healthier than a meat-based diet. Pythagoras's vegetarianism was rooted in his spiritual beliefs, and he was likely influenced by the priests of ancient Egypt, where the voluntary rejection of meat was already known. He may have also been influenced by his contemporaries, Buddha and Mahavira, the reformer of Jainism.
Buddha and Mahavira are known for their teachings on compassion and non-violence, which have had a significant impact on vegetarianism, particularly in Buddhist and Jainist traditions. The concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, is inherent in Indian culture and can be found in Buddhist and Jaina writings. However, it is important to note that both Buddha and Mahavira are said to have consumed meat during their lifetimes.
In Buddhism, the views on vegetarianism vary between different schools of thought. The Mahayana schools 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. The Mahaparinirvana Sutra, a Mahayana sutra containing Gautama Buddha's final teachings, states that Buddha insisted his followers should not eat any kind of meat or fish. This interpretation of Buddhist teachings has led to the spread of vegetarianism in Buddhist China, influenced by devout Buddhist rulers such as Emperor Wu.
On the other hand, the Pali Canon, a Theravada Buddhist text, mentions that the Buddha explicitly refused a suggestion by Devadatta to mandate vegetarianism in the monks' Vinaya monastic code. Instead, the Buddha accepted any kind of alms offered with good intention, including meat, fruits, and vegetables. This refusal to mandate vegetarianism is within the context of Buddhist monastics receiving alms food.
Similarly, Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is said to have consumed meat during his lifetime. However, he followed the principle of ahimsa, which allowed for the consumption of meat that was not killed specifically for that purpose, such as remnants of meat killed by predators or third parties.
In summary, while Buddha and Mahavira may have consumed meat, their teachings on compassion and non-violence have had a significant impact on the spread of vegetarianism, particularly within Buddhist and Jainist traditions. Their influence, along with that of other spiritual and philosophical traditions, likely contributed to Pythagoras's adoption of a vegetarian diet.
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Pythagoras' views on health and nutrition
Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, is often regarded as the "father of vegetarianism". He is known for the Pythagorean theorem and is believed to have founded the Pythagorean school of philosophy. Pythagoras and his followers were vegetarians, and their diet was called the "Pythagorean diet" until 1944 when the term "vegan" was coined. Pythagoras' teachings were influenced by his belief in the transmigration of souls, which holds that every soul is immortal and, upon death, enters into a new body. This belief led him to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle as he thought that if souls migrated from humans to animals, how could one consume meat?
Pythagoras' influence on vegetarianism extended beyond his lifetime. After his death in 495 BC, his followers continued to spread his teachings, and the movement gained traction in 17th- and 18th-century England, where it evolved into a secular practice focused on animal welfare. Pythagoras' ideas about health and nutrition were shaped by his spiritual values, and he believed that a vegetarian diet was essential for physical and spiritual well-being.
It is important to note that Pythagoras' dietary choices were not solely based on health considerations. His views on health and nutrition were influenced by his spiritual beliefs and the idea of soul transmigration. Pythagoras' teachings also included strict rules on clothing and behaviour, indicating that his philosophy encompassed a holistic view of human life and behaviour, with diet being one aspect of it.
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Pythagoreanism and its two traditions
Pythagoreanism, a philosophical school and religious brotherhood, is believed to have been founded by Pythagoras of Samos in the 6th century BC. Pythagoras established the first Pythagorean community in the ancient Greek colony of Kroton, in modern-day Calabria, Italy, around 530 BC. Pythagoreanism was revived in the 1st century BC, giving rise to Neopythagoreanism.
Following Pythagoras' death, disputes about his teachings led to the development of two philosophical traditions within Pythagoreanism: akousmatikoi and mathēmatikoi. The akousmatikoi, or "those who listen", were more concerned with the religious and ritual elements of Pythagoras' teachings. They believed that humans had to act in appropriate ways and resisted any reinterpretation or philosophical evolution of Pythagoras' teachings. The Akousmata, or "oral saying", was the collection of all the sayings of Pythagoras as divine dogma. The mathēmatikoi, or "those who learn", emphasised the study of mathematics and the natural world. Each group claimed to be the true Pythagoreans.
The akousmatikoi were superseded in the 4th century BC by the Cynics, a mendicant school of philosophy. The mathēmatikoi philosophers were absorbed into the Platonic school of Speusippus, Xenocrates, and Polemon in the same century.
Pythagoras was known for his supposed mathematical achievements, such as the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. He is also credited with discovering that music had mathematical foundations and with inventing the monochord, a device used to demonstrate the relationship of musical intervals.
Pythagoras is also known for his vegetarian diet, which he believed to be healthier than a meat-based diet. Pythagoras and his disciples lived on a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables. For Pythagoras, abstaining from meat was rooted in his spiritual values; he believed that souls could migrate from humans to animals, and so eating meat was a risk not worth taking. Pythagoras was likely influenced by the priests of ancient Egypt, where the concept of voluntary rejection of meat was already known, as well as by his contemporaries, Buddha and Mahavira, the reformer of Jainism.
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Frequently asked questions
Pythagoras believed in the transmigration of souls, which holds that every soul is immortal and, upon death, enters into a new body. This belief led him to question how one could touch meat if souls migrated from humans to animals. He also believed that a vegetarian diet was healthier than a meat-based one.
Pythagoras and his disciples lived on a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables.
Yes, Pythagoras became an outsider and a laughingstock for many comedy writers because of his diet. Pythagoras was considered the "father of vegetarianism".
Pythagoras established the first Pythagorean community in the ancient Greek colony of Kroton, in modern Calabria (Italy) circa 530 BC. Early Pythagorean communities spread throughout Magna Graecia. The term ""Pythagorean diet" was used instead of vegetarian for many years, until 1944 when the term "vegan" was coined.
