"Hindu morality stands against the cruel and useless exploitation of animals merely for the gratification of human appetite. Keeping one day a week Meat-Free will benefit humankind and the entire animal world immensely is my firm opinion."

  - Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji President, Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW

Hindu teachings on consumption of meat and treatment of animals

The Hindu scriptures proclaim the unity of all existence. “Sarvam Idam Khalu Brahma”, the whole universe is pervaded by Brahman, the supreme consciousness. That includes all things - humans, animals and all forms of animate and inanimate objects.

Hindu philosophy maintains that both the individual and the cosmos are interdependent and therefore all contours of life are to be viewed in that context. Hinduism holds the view that the present conditions that prevail on earth are attributable to both the natural and induced conditions on earth.

Hindus also believe in Ahimsa – nonviolence or non-injury in thoughts, words and deeds. This is one of the basic tenets of Hinduism. It has guided their behaviour, and their interaction with not only humans but even with animals and nature. It has greatly influenced their eating habits leading to vegetarianism.

Hindu classification of food

In Hinduism all foods can be roughly grouped into one of three categories, sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. These are three basic qualities by which in the ancient Hindu science of Ayurveda all things are classified. Simply stated, the sattvic tendency is ascending, super-conscious, and connotes orderliness and sublimity. The rajasic tendency is expanding, intellectual, and connotes activity and restlessness. The tamasic tendency is descending, instinctive, and connotes inertia and stagnation.

Tamasic foods, such as meat, fermented or stale foods and overripe fruits, imbue the astral and physical body with heaviness and inertia and arouse the instinctive nature. Overeating is also tamasic. Rajasic foods, such as hot or spicy foods, strong herbs, onions, garlic, coffee and tea, fish, eggs and salt, invigorate the heat of the physical and astral bodies. Too much rajasic food will over-stimulate the body and excite the passions, making the mind restless and uncontrollable. Eating in a hurry also creates a rajasic vibration in the body and mind. Sattvic foods, such as natural fruits and vegetables, help refine the astral and physical bodies, allowing the super-conscious forces to flow and permeate and invigorate the entire being.

Weblinks

• Why Hindus Don’t Eat Meat
• What Does Hinduism Teach Us About Ecology?
• Food in Hinduism
• Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (USA, interfaith)

Meat and Religion:  Baha'i  |  Buddhism  |  Christianity  |  Hinduism  |  Islam  |  Judaism