Guest guest Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 The reason I asked is because I've been a meat eater my whole life and would have a difficult time giving it up. Would it make a " bad Hindu " if I still kept my diet the same? , kalipadma wrote: > > > Yvonne -- > > Most Vaishnavas are strict lacto-vegetarians. They also have other food > restrictions (no garlic, no onions) and many fasting days. > > Some Shaivas are vegetarians, some aren't. Even among meat eaters, no > observant Hindu will eat beef -- the cow is sacred, a symbol of Bhumi > Mata (Mother Earth). > > Nost Shaktas will at least occasionally eat meat, because many Kali and > Durga temples offer animal sacrifices (goats, chickens, doves) and the > meat is cooked into <prasad> that is fed to the worshippers. > > But there are always exceptions. The Vaishno Devi Goddess Temple is > strictly lacto-veggie. And even blood-loving Kali spends every twelvth > year as meatless. > > -- Len/ Kalipadma > > > On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:18:48 -0000 " Devi Bhakta " <devi_bhakta > writes: > > Hi Yvonne: > > > > I'm glad to hear that our explanations were a bit clearer the > > second time around. > > > > *** Are you guys vegetarian? I was told when I was little that all > > Hindus were vegetarian, but then I learned that that is not true.*** > > > > An awful lot of Hindus are vegetarian. An awful lot of Hindus are > > not. > > > > Part of the reason for the disparity is the sheer range and > > diversity of belief systems that are broadly lumped under the > > label, " Hinduism. " Another element is the cultural differences > > between different peoples of the Indian subcontinent, where Hinduism > > > > originated, which vary at least as widely as the cultures of Europe. > > > > up today! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 It's funny - there are lots of different and varying levels of vegetarianism throughout India, which is dependent upon a multitude of factors. It's not true that no Hindus eat beef - I have Hindu friends (who were born Hindu in India) who eat hamburgers, and still consider themselves Hindu. It's part of the secularization of the religion. But I digress. Anyway, I would have you ask yourself *why* vegetarianism, or *why not*vegetarianism? Vegetarianism itself is not original to Hinduism; it comes from Jain and Buddhist influence, but that being said there is still two millenia of vegetarian tradition. The reason for it is *ahimsa*, non-harm. By eating meat, you are participating in the death of an animal, there's no way around it. If you don't wish to change your diet, how do you become more mindful of the process of life and death, and act responsibly? I was vegetarian for many years, and then became a meat eater again during a severe illness. I have only recently begun life again as a vegetarian (my sankalpa is to offer one year to Maa as a vegetarian, unless meat is offered as prasad in which case I won't refuse it). But when I became a meat eater again, I had to ask myself how I was going to become a more compassionate meat eater. To start with, I began to research where my meat came from. I would only purchase animal products that were free range and organic in a real sense, from local farms where I could be sure that the animals were treated with compassion. Paying more for this was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to decrease the harm and suffering I was participating in by eating meat in the first place. I also witnessed animal sacrifices in India (and continue this each time I return), in order to make peace with the process of death and understand where food comes from. Recently I asked myself, would I be able to kill the animal myself? When I answered no, I realized I had to return to vegetarianism. But my husband is still a meat eater (though mostly veg), and I don't fault him for it. It's a personal question with a personal answer; there are some who will judge you for your choice to eat meat, and others who won't. What matters is your relationship with Maa and how you ask and answer those internal questions, and how to be mindful of your participation (or lack thereof) in a process that can cause a lot of needless suffering (for instance, at factory farms). At the end of the day, it's about compassion and valuing life. Also, the answer for *why not vegetarianism?* being " because it is hard " for many people is exactly part of the reason for becoming vegetarian; because it is a constant reminder of devotion, especially when it's difficult. That reminder of devotion is what it is for me lately, and it is indeed a sankalpa and part of my sadhana, until it again becomes habit. Good luck! -Sundari On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM, Jessica <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > The reason I asked is because I've been a meat eater my whole life and > would have a difficult time giving it up. Would it make a " bad Hindu " > if I still kept my diet the same? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I recently wrote a blog called " Vegetarianism and Spirituality " . You can read that at: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog & Mytoken=CF02D853-9E45-44CF-B48\ CB4364CA466E4274339304 www.myspace.com/satya_avatar. Sundari Johansen Hurwitt <sundarikali wrote: It's funny - there are lots of different and varying levels of vegetarianism throughout India, which is dependent upon a multitude of factors. It's not true that no Hindus eat beef - I have Hindu friends (who were born Hindu in India) who eat hamburgers, and still consider themselves Hindu. It's part of the secularization of the religion. But I digress. Anyway, I would have you ask yourself *why* vegetarianism, or *why not*vegetarianism? Vegetarianism itself is not original to Hinduism; it comes from Jain and Buddhist influence, but that being said there is still two millenia of vegetarian tradition. The reason for it is *ahimsa*, non-harm. By eating meat, you are participating in the death of an animal, there's no way around it. If you don't wish to change your diet, how do you become more mindful of the process of life and death, and act responsibly? I was vegetarian for many years, and then became a meat eater again during a severe illness. I have only recently begun life again as a vegetarian (my sankalpa is to offer one year to Maa as a vegetarian, unless meat is offered as prasad in which case I won't refuse it). But when I became a meat eater again, I had to ask myself how I was going to become a more compassionate meat eater. To start with, I began to research where my meat came from. I would only purchase animal products that were free range and organic in a real sense, from local farms where I could be sure that the animals were treated with compassion. Paying more for this was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to decrease the harm and suffering I was participating in by eating meat in the first place. I also witnessed animal sacrifices in India (and continue this each time I return), in order to make peace with the process of death and understand where food comes from. Recently I asked myself, would I be able to kill the animal myself? When I answered no, I realized I had to return to vegetarianism. But my husband is still a meat eater (though mostly veg), and I don't fault him for it. It's a personal question with a personal answer; there are some who will judge you for your choice to eat meat, and others who won't. What matters is your relationship with Maa and how you ask and answer those internal questions, and how to be mindful of your participation (or lack thereof) in a process that can cause a lot of needless suffering (for instance, at factory farms). At the end of the day, it's about compassion and valuing life. Also, the answer for *why not vegetarianism?* being " because it is hard " for many people is exactly part of the reason for becoming vegetarian; because it is a constant reminder of devotion, especially when it's difficult. That reminder of devotion is what it is for me lately, and it is indeed a sankalpa and part of my sadhana, until it again becomes habit. Good luck! -Sundari On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM, Jessica <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > The reason I asked is because I've been a meat eater my whole life and > would have a difficult time giving it up. Would it make a " bad Hindu " > if I still kept my diet the same? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Years ago I had a manager who was from India, raised Hindu, and he once told me that he had made a religious vow that he would not eat meat on certain days. I don't recall which days but I think it was basically one day a week (at least). Buddhism has not always stipulated vegetarianism. During Shakyamuni Buddha's time, the monks were expected to accept any sincere offerings in their rounds for alms. That could include meat, so long as the animal was not slaughtered expressly for their use. In other words, they could accept meat out of the household's general food store. If they knew or believed the animal had been slaughtered for them, they were to decline. It was a balance between the principle of ahimsa on the one hand, and on the allowing merit to those who supported the sangha (originally, the community of monks) on the other hand. I read some time back that in fact the association of Buddhism with vegetarianism arose in China, where the monasteries became less dependent on support from the neighboring communities and more self-sufficient, producing their own food. Of course to raise and slaughter animals would violate basic vows of ahmisa, so they turned towards an exclusive vegetarian diet. I also read, interesting enough, that it was also the origin of food cut up sufficiently to eat with chop sticks: knives could not be possessed by the monks, as they are weapons. There was only one knife in the monastery, in the kitchen, for cooking. Hence the food was cut up by the cook so as to be eaten without need to cut any of it by the monks. More recently Tibetan Buddhists often eat meat. Many swear by it! Tibet has very few opportunities to raise other food sources, so traditionally they depended a lot on meat as a staple food in many areas. However, there has also been an ideal of vegetarianism as well. Now that many of the Tibetan lamas and monks live in other regions, there are more choices, which may be why the Karmapa has recently instructed that his monasteries not serve meat in their dining halls. I think perhaps it comes down to the fact that in these days, few of us are dependent on alms, and that we have access to a variety of foods and can choose or not to be vegetarian. I guess perhaps then it comes down to the answer I often heard from my lama on a number of questions I had, which was that it depends on your motivation. - " Sundari Johansen Hurwitt " <sundarikali Sunday, September 07, 2008 4:36 PM Re: Re: Vegetarianism > It's funny - there are lots of different and varying levels of vegetarianism > throughout India, which is dependent upon a multitude of factors. It's not > true that no Hindus eat beef - I have Hindu friends (who were born Hindu in > India) who eat hamburgers, and still consider themselves Hindu. It's part of > the secularization of the religion. But I digress. > > Anyway, I would have you ask yourself *why* vegetarianism, or *why > not*vegetarianism? Vegetarianism itself is not original to Hinduism; > it comes > from Jain and Buddhist influence, but that being said there is still two > millenia of vegetarian tradition. The reason for it is *ahimsa*, non-harm. > By eating meat, you are participating in the death of an animal, there's no > way around it. If you don't wish to change your diet, how do you become more > mindful of the process of life and death, and act responsibly? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 It is not necessary to be a vegetarian to be a hindu.More than half of hindus in India eat meat. In fact Hinduism is not a religion. It is only a way of life recommended by enlightened sages who lived on this earth for over thousand years.. Thats why there is no founder or one single leader who founded it. However hinduism recommends vegetarianism for the following reasons: a) It is good for health.It prevents many toxic chemicals from reaching a man's systems as the end of the food chain.Human digestive system have evolved to eat vegetarian only with shorter intestine and teeth for chewing .. b) Vegetables digests fast that it helps him to meditate as brain is free to focus itself during meditation and meditation is an essential tool to be a Hindu,. Meditation is needed to know yourself- to find answers to the question " WHO AM I?' Once you become aware that you and God are one you become a total Hindu. c) As LOVE for all living beings is an essential component of Hinduism , eating meat goes against that principle. LOVE IS GOD Hinduism is the only truely democratic faith in this world which focuses on YOU and your upliftment from basic animal desires to the highest spiritual plane of becomming God. Every child in this world is born a Hindu( not by religion but by principle) Parents convert them to their own faith as the child grows.By this logic there is no need to get re-converted to be a Hindu. All that is needed is to continue to follow the Lord as you are brought up with (Jesus or Allah) focus on that image as you follow the way of living recommended by Hinduism till you get a Guru to lead you through (you can go ahead without a Guru but it is a difficult path to take as it needs more effort) who leads you upto the gate of self realisation and then finally you are alone with God with all knowledge and eternal happiness It is called the SAT-CHIT-ANANDAM Ramakrishnan On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM, Jessica <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I do not consider myself vegetarian but my husband and me take a lot of vegetables because its the most logical thing to do............. When you're young and growing you need the energy and the nutrients... and your body is able to burnt them easily. But as we age.....when our metabolism rate slowed down..... so its just practical for us to change our diet. Hinduism is all about being practical and logical in our approach to our daily living. Basic principles do not hurt another..... what does this mean... this mean for example if I go back home to my inlaw... what ever they serve we just eat. We do not complain or reject because by doing so we are creating unnecessary discomfort for them and we do not want to hurt their feelings. All this attachment about religious rituals to me are just human made. If you read for example in the Mahabratha.... the brothers go hunting....... why do you think they hunt... to play with the animal and keep them as pet? are you telling me that they dont have love for the living thing.........come on let not bulls**t ourselves. Pull stop. , " Ramakrishnan Thimmaiyah " <ramadatta3 wrote: > > It is not necessary to be a vegetarian to be a hindu.More than half of > hindus in India eat meat. In fact Hinduism is not a religion. It is only a > way of life recommended by enlightened sages who lived on this earth for > over thousand years.. Thats why there is no founder or one single leader who > founded it. However hinduism recommends vegetarianism for the following > reasons: > a) It is good for health.It prevents many toxic chemicals from reaching a > man's systems as the end of the food chain.Human digestive system have > evolved to eat vegetarian only with shorter intestine and teeth for chewing > . > b) Vegetables digests fast that it helps him to meditate as brain is free to > focus itself during meditation and meditation is an essential tool to be a > Hindu,. Meditation is needed to know yourself- to find answers to the > question " WHO AM I?' Once you become aware that you and God are one you > become a total Hindu. > c) As LOVE for all living beings is an essential component of Hinduism , > eating meat goes against that principle. LOVE IS GOD > Hinduism is the only truely democratic faith in this world which focuses on > YOU and your upliftment from basic animal desires to the highest spiritual > plane of becomming God. Every child in this world is born a Hindu( not by > religion but by principle) Parents convert them to their own faith as the > child grows.By this logic there is no need to get re-converted to be a > Hindu. All that is needed is to continue to follow the Lord as you are > brought up with (Jesus or Allah) focus on that image as you follow the way > of living recommended by Hinduism till you get a Guru to lead you through > (you can go ahead without a Guru but it is a difficult path to take as it > needs more effort) who leads you upto the gate of self realisation and then > finally you are alone with God with all knowledge and eternal happiness It > is called the SAT-CHIT-ANANDAM > > Ramakrishnan > > On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM, Jessica <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > > > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 thanks Dear Ram how simple are these words for present day from you . ur words are all true. hinduism is not a religion it is a simple dharmic way of human living with love .. rest are process of our time bound manifestations above these. atjags Ramakrishnan Thimmaiyah <ramadatta3 Monday, 8 September, 2008 2:07:55 PM Re: Vegetarianism It is not necessary to be a vegetarian to be a hindu.More than half of hindus in India eat meat. In fact Hinduism is not a religion. It is only a way of life recommended by enlightened sages who lived on this earth for over thousand years.. Thats why there is no founder or one single leader who founded it. However hinduism recommends vegetarianism for the following reasons: a) It is good for health.It prevents many toxic chemicals from reaching a man's systems as the end of the food chain.Human digestive system have evolved to eat vegetarian only with shorter intestine and teeth for chewing .. b) Vegetables digests fast that it helps him to meditate as brain is free to focus itself during meditation and meditation is an essential tool to be a Hindu,. Meditation is needed to know yourself- to find answers to the question " WHO AM I?' Once you become aware that you and God are one you become a total Hindu. c) As LOVE for all living beings is an essential component of Hinduism , eating meat goes against that principle. LOVE IS GOD Hinduism is the only truely democratic faith in this world which focuses on YOU and your upliftment from basic animal desires to the highest spiritual plane of becomming God. Every child in this world is born a Hindu( not by religion but by principle) Parents convert them to their own faith as the child grows.By this logic there is no need to get re-converted to be a Hindu. All that is needed is to continue to follow the Lord as you are brought up with (Jesus or Allah) focus on that image as you follow the way of living recommended by Hinduism till you get a Guru to lead you through (you can go ahead without a Guru but it is a difficult path to take as it needs more effort) who leads you upto the gate of self realisation and then finally you are alone with God with all knowledge and eternal happiness It is called the SAT-CHIT-ANANDAM Ramakrishnan On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM, Jessica <jessica.n.obrien@ gmail.com> wrote: > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hinduism always teaches you to have control on the food you eat. Because anything we are eating, is not us but god within us eats on our behalf. Because when we feel hungry god get's hungry. Only constraint in Hinduism is eating beef. That's because we worship GAU MATA (COW). Besides, certain KRIYA(Specific art of worshipping and praying) required to be on empty stomach (fasting)/ or living only on fruit only. These are dedicated process and they needs to be followed in totality and strictly as per the requirement. Whatever you eat dedicate to the god and pray before you eat and that's all. This is a very simple process. Slowly time will come when you will be above hunger and not be craving for food even. Also you would not feel like eating at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Jessica: Meat eating is not really good for your health or for the environment. I would consider cutting back and cutting out beef altogether. Eat organic meat once a day not three times a day, and gradually cut it back until you eat only once a week and so on. When you consider the impact beef producing has on the environment and on health, it just doesn't make good sense any way you look at it. Karmically, you are responsible for taking the lives of the animals that you eat. I would consider taking a trip to the local slaughter house to meet your meat. You might reconsider your habits if you do so. I'm a Shakta, but I think we need to live ethical lives all the way around. Sri Ramakrishna worshipped Kali all his life, and had difficulty dealing with the ritual animal sacrifices that took place there. Now, I believe that Dakshinawar Temple has ceased this practice. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Shanti Om! Shankari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 , Shankari Kali <shankari_kali wrote: > > Jessica: > > Meat eating is not really good for your health or for the environment. I would consider cutting back and cutting out beef altogether. Eat organic meat once a day not three times a day, and gradually cut it back until you eat only once a week and so on. > Try telling this to somebody who is living in the artic circle or in an extreme cold climate! I believe all these about vegetarianism arise just to counter the attack of the buddhist... more of a political reason..... just to make hinduism look more humane. What makes vegetarianism more appealing today because of the changes in the environment. .... changes in the climate and the constant genetic changes that are taking places in our body because of these enviromental changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 , " Jessica " <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > Opinions on this subject are very different depending on which part of " Hinduism " you are referring to. Hindus under no circumstance will eat beef and many will not eat any pork. More eat chicken, lamb and fish. Still, from what I've learned, strict vegetarians are considered to be very wise and spiritual people and a lot of Hindus that I know say that they wish they could adhere to a stricter vegetarian diet. As for myself, a Hindu in spirit, I was already a strict vegetarian from a young age. Growing up in America, I could not stand the disrespectful and mass mistreatment of animals going on in our factory farms...and on a personal level could not even stand the thought of eating a dead animal to begin with. This is a personal decision but I think it's one of the best I've made. Even the animals offered to Kali Ma and other forms of Devi are generally treated much better and more respectfully than they are in places who kill for money. Still, as holy as this practice can be, I could not and would not be able to participate in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 It's generally true that Hindus avoid beef, just as observant Jews avoid pork, but it's not universally true by any means. I know plenty of (Indian) Hindus who eat beef, just like I know plenty of Jewish people (my husband included) who eat pork. Also, (almost always male) buffalo are sacrificed to Maa at Shakta temples such as Kalighat and Kamakhya, and this is a form of beef that is eaten by some of the devotees as prasad. Sacrificed goats, pigeons and fish are also eaten as prasad. There is Vedic precedence for this, as the Vedas advocate the eating of sacrificial animals (see the description of the horse sacrifice in the Satapatha Brahmana). Vegetarianism came relatively late to Hinduism, under the influence of Jainism and Buddhism. Although caste is not a subject that people like to talk about (in my experience, anyway - I've gotten the impression while in India that talking about caste is considered rude or is basically just not done), strict vegetarianism seems to typically be a mark of piety, as well as a mark of higher social rank (that is, caste - i.e. Brahmins), and as such has been sometimes strategically employed by a jati (a subset of caste) as a whole wishing to improve their status or by individuals wishing to exhibit particularly observant/pious behavior. So, the families of temple priests, for instance, would almost certainly be vegetarian, and saints from low castes (such as Amma Amritanandamayi, who is a Dalit by birth but through sainthood transcends caste) may be vegetarian, taking on the habits of Brahmins to reflect their close/direct relationship with God. But like anything in India, this may not be universally true and for anything stated as absolute fact, there's something to show that it is not always true. shanti -sundari On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:10 PM, Ashley <herjazz wrote: > <%40>, > " Jessica " > <jessica.n.obrien wrote: > > > > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > > Opinions on this subject are very different depending on which part of > " Hinduism " you are referring to. Hindus under no circumstance will eat > beef and many will not eat any pork. More eat chicken, lamb and fish. > > Still, from what I've learned, strict vegetarians are considered to be > very wise and spiritual people and a lot of Hindus that I know say > that they wish they could adhere to a stricter vegetarian diet. > > As for myself, a Hindu in spirit, I was already a strict vegetarian > from a young age. Growing up in America, I could not stand the > disrespectful and mass mistreatment of animals going on in our factory > farms...and on a personal level could not even stand the thought of > eating a dead animal to begin with. > This is a personal decision but I think it's one of the best I've made. > > Even the animals offered to Kali Ma and other forms of Devi are > generally treated much better and more respectfully than they are in > places who kill for money. > Still, as holy as this practice can be, I could not and would not be > able to participate in it. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks for some good points, Sundari ... Mother Meera was once asked by a devotee about vegetarianism, and her response was along the lines of, " It's fine if you want to do it and you feel it enhances your sadhana, and your body is comfortable with it. " Some people take very naturally and easily to vegetarianism; for others it's difficult and draining and distracting. So her advice was, don't force it. Experiment and see what you can do, but above all be careful that the act itself -- like so many other outward religious acts, from puja technique to brahmacharya to mantra pronunciation -- doesn't become a goal in itself and a source of pride and/or feelings of superiority. It's a fairly common observation about hatha yoga practice, that as you advance and become more absorbed and serious in your practice, your desire for " bad " substances -- meats, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. -- quite naturally fall away. The idea is that yoga recovers your internal balance and, as you stabilize, you need these " props " less and less. Quitting cigarettes or losing weight or kicking drugs -- part of the reason people find these things so difficult is that there is a *reason* such crutches are needed. If you remove the crutch without addressing the underlying reason (visible or not, subtle or gross), you are performing an act of willpower only, and you may well fall over as soon as your willpower falters a bit. As you point out, not all Hindus -- in fact, not even a very large percentage of Hindus -- are vegetarian for religious reasons (it's more likely to be for financial reasons or simply cultural habit), just as not so many wear saffron robes or shave their heads or wear caste marks all the time, etc. That does not mean they are not " real " Hindus, or even " serious " Hindus. On the other hand, many not-especially-religious Hindus *are* vegetarians, etc. The outward signs don't necessarily tell much you about the inner person. As always, I think, the important thing, if you want to get serious about your sadhana, is simply to get serious about your sadhana. Focus on the inward nature, not the outward symbols. If you want to go veg, go veg; if you want to wear marks or perform fancy pujas, go ahead and enjoy. But don't get tangled up in judging yourself (or others) based on real or imagined checklists that supposedly gauge Hindu-ness or religiosity. Just relax, be cool, proceed with your inner work; if you have a guru, do what he or she advises as to the details; otherwise, just follow your heart. In time, as you clear the inner debris and get a clear glimpse of your Self, the outward acts of religiosity may follow naturally -- or they may not. Just don't waste time worrying over it or forcing it. Everything that must be, will be -- in its own time. aim mAtangyai namaH , " Sundari Johansen Hurwitt " <sundarikali wrote: > > It's generally true that Hindus avoid beef, just as observant Jews avoid > pork, but it's not universally true by any means. I know plenty of (Indian) > Hindus who eat beef, just like I know plenty of Jewish people (my husband > included) who eat pork. > > Also, (almost always male) buffalo are sacrificed to Maa at Shakta temples > such as Kalighat and Kamakhya, and this is a form of beef that is eaten by > some of the devotees as prasad. Sacrificed goats, pigeons and fish are also > eaten as prasad. There is Vedic precedence for this, as the Vedas advocate > the eating of sacrificial animals (see the description of the horse > sacrifice in the Satapatha Brahmana). Vegetarianism came relatively late to > Hinduism, under the influence of Jainism and Buddhism. > > Although caste is not a subject that people like to talk about (in my > experience, anyway - I've gotten the impression while in India that talking > about caste is considered rude or is basically just not done), strict > vegetarianism seems to typically be a mark of piety, as well as a mark of > higher social rank (that is, caste - i.e. Brahmins), and as such has been > sometimes strategically employed by a jati (a subset of caste) as a whole > wishing to improve their status or by individuals wishing to exhibit > particularly observant/pious behavior. So, the families of temple priests, > for instance, would almost certainly be vegetarian, and saints from low > castes (such as Amma Amritanandamayi, who is a Dalit by birth but through > sainthood transcends caste) may be vegetarian, taking on the habits of > Brahmins to reflect their close/direct relationship with God. But like > anything in India, this may not be universally true and for anything stated > as absolute fact, there's something to show that it is not always true. > > shanti > -sundari > > > On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:10 PM, Ashley <herjazz wrote: > > > <%40>, > > " Jessica " > > <jessica.n.obrien@> wrote: > > > > > > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > > > > Opinions on this subject are very different depending on which part of > > " Hinduism " you are referring to. Hindus under no circumstance will eat > > beef and many will not eat any pork. More eat chicken, lamb and fish. > > > > Still, from what I've learned, strict vegetarians are considered to be > > very wise and spiritual people and a lot of Hindus that I know say > > that they wish they could adhere to a stricter vegetarian diet. > > > > As for myself, a Hindu in spirit, I was already a strict vegetarian > > from a young age. Growing up in America, I could not stand the > > disrespectful and mass mistreatment of animals going on in our factory > > farms...and on a personal level could not even stand the thought of > > eating a dead animal to begin with. > > This is a personal decision but I think it's one of the best I've made. > > > > Even the animals offered to Kali Ma and other forms of Devi are > > generally treated much better and more respectfully than they are in > > places who kill for money. > > Still, as holy as this practice can be, I could not and would not be > > able to participate in it. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Yes, great souls find it hard to accept killing of animals even for ritual purposes. Sri Ramakrishna, even though he was a priest of Kali and lived at the Kali temple could not bear to watch the animal sacrifices that were on occasion performed on the grounds of the Dakshineswar temple. Kumari (a western devotee whose Hindu name attached itself to her) , " Ashley " <herjazz wrote: > > , " Jessica " > <jessica.n.obrien@> wrote: > > > > Can a person still be a Hindu and NOT be a vegetarian? > > >> As for myself, a Hindu in spirit, I was already a strict vegetarian > from a young age. [....] > > Even the animals offered to Kali Ma and other forms of Devi are > generally treated much better and more respectfully than they are in > places who kill for money. > Still, as holy as this practice can be, I could not and would not be > able to participate in it. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Hear hear! I am beginning to find as I take up sadhana more seriously than before that this is becoming true for me. I am more and more attracted to a vegetarian way of life and I have caught myself sincerely praying that I may have my " evil " ways removed. In other words, the things that separate me from the Divine Spirit. I am not judging anybody who does things differently and saying they are evil because of it. Far from that. Thay are doing what is appropriate for them at this time. It seems a much more natural process than when I attempted these things before. I am not making any vows or trying to force the issue by willpower. It feels altogether different than that sort of striving. If I avoid the use of meat, I am pleased, but I am not downcast if I should eat fish or chicken or meat or inadvertantly eat something animal in origin. I will let Ma worry about that. I will just hold Her hand and let Her gently guide me. Kumari , " Devi Bhakta " <devi_bhakta wrote: > > Thanks for some good points, Sundari ... > > Mother Meera was once asked by a devotee about vegetarianism, and her > response was along the lines of, " It's fine if you want to do it and > you feel it enhances your sadhana, and your body is comfortable with > it. " Some people take very naturally and easily to vegetarianism; for > others it's difficult and draining and distracting. So her advice was, > don't force it. Experiment and see what you can do, but above all be > careful that the act itself -- like so many other outward religious > acts, from puja technique to brahmacharya to mantra pronunciation -- > doesn't become a goal in itself and a source of pride and/or feelings > of superiority. > > It's a fairly common observation about hatha yoga practice, that as > you advance and become more absorbed and serious in your practice, > your desire for " bad " substances -- meats, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. > -- quite naturally fall away. The idea is that yoga recovers your > internal balance and, as you stabilize, you need these " props " less > and less. Quitting cigarettes or losing weight or kicking drugs -- > part of the reason people find these things so difficult is that there > is a *reason* such crutches are needed. If you remove the crutch > without addressing the underlying reason (visible or not, subtle or > gross), you are performing an act of willpower only, and you may well > fall over as soon as your willpower falters a bit. > > As you point out, not all Hindus -- in fact, not even a very large > percentage of Hindus -- are vegetarian for religious reasons (it's > more likely to be for financial reasons or simply cultural habit), > just as not so many wear saffron robes or shave their heads or wear > caste marks all the time, etc. That does not mean they are not " real " > Hindus, or even " serious " Hindus. On the other hand, many > not-especially-religious Hindus *are* vegetarians, etc. The outward > signs don't necessarily tell much you about the inner person. > > As always, I think, the important thing, if you want to get serious > about your sadhana, is simply to get serious about your sadhana. Focus > on the inward nature, not the outward symbols. If you want to go veg, > go veg; if you want to wear marks or perform fancy pujas, go ahead and > enjoy. But don't get tangled up in judging yourself (or others) based > on real or imagined checklists that supposedly gauge Hindu-ness or > religiosity. Just relax, be cool, proceed with your inner work; if you > have a guru, do what he or she advises as to the details; otherwise, > just follow your heart. > > In time, as you clear the inner debris and get a clear glimpse of your > Self, the outward acts of religiosity may follow naturally -- or they > may not. Just don't waste time worrying over it or forcing it. > Everything that must be, will be -- in its own time. > > aim mAtangyai namaH > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.