Meaning of 'Life'

[Guest guest]

Hello All ,

 

The discussion on the post on Village Life have been very insightful.

I will respect the request from the moderators and not carry that

discussion forward . However , it did bring up a question in my mind

regarding the meaning of the term 'life ' .

 

It appears that the term 'life' is usually used only for the animal

kingdom . Contextually , plant life should also be

considered 'life ' ? Given the core thread of brahman through all of

manifest reality , every element of this manifest universe qualifies

as 'life' ? Should one 'life' eating another 'life' be simply

considered as much a part of maaya as existence itself is ?

 

Regards

 

/ Raji /

[Guest guest]

Sri Raji,Sri Dayananda Saraswati tells us of the fact that animals have legs for which to run away from us so that we cannot eat them. If Bhagavan wanted us to not eat plants, he would have also given them legs so that they too can run away!Hearing that always makes me smile!I will let other, more experienced and well-versed, members of this group give an scriptural or philosophical answer to your question, but I wanted to share Swami-ji's humorous anecdote on this subject.Hari OMadvaitin From: rajalakshmi.iyer

 

 

 

It appears that the term 'life' is usually used only for the animal

kingdom . Contextually , plant life should also be

considered 'life ' ? Given the core thread of brahman through all of

manifest reality , every element of this manifest universe qualifies

as 'life' ? Should one 'life' eating another 'life' be simply

considered as much a part of maaya as existence itself is ?

 

Regards

 

/ Raji /

 

 

__.

Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with . Get started.

[Guest guest]

Shree Raji - PraNAms

 

Several years ago in response to a similar question on 'altHindu' discussion

group, I wrote an article on vegitarianism and I am posting here again for the

benefit of others.

 

Hari Om!

Sadananda

---------

Sub: Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian

 

Recently two questions were asked - Does Hinduism require one to believe in God?

Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian? In a recent article, I have

addressed the first question. Here I will provide some thoughts for the second

question.

 

In relation to the first question, I have discussed what Hinduism stands for,

and who is truly a Hindu. In essence, Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma, and that

Dharma is from time immemorial - it involves pursuit for Moksha. Therefore the

one who is seeking for Moksha is a true Hindu, irrespective of the nationality,

caste, creed or gender. There are other aspects that go with sanatana dharma,

but in a nut shell pursuit of Moksha is the essential ingradient. With that

catholic understanding, one can see that Hinduism becomes a way of life because

the pursuit of the essential purpose of life is the goal of the Hindu life.

 

With that perspective, it is easier to analyze all other questions including

whether Hinduism requires one to be a vegetarian. Since the purpose of life is

securing liberation or Moksha, until we reach that we need to live. Only death

is the death of the ego that happens in the spiritual awakening. Hence, keeping

the body alive by nourishment is our Dharma. That means one has to eat to live

(not the other way - living for eating sake!)

 

Life lives on life. That is the law of nature. Whether I eat an animal or plant

I am destroying a life. Among all life forms Man is different from the rest of

the life kingdom. He has the capability to discriminate the right from wrong.

That also gives him the freedom of choice. Plants have just body and perhaps a

rudimentary mind. Animals have both body and mind to express feelings and

suffering, but rudimentary intellect. Man has not only body and mind but also

well-developed intellect to discriminate, decide and to choose. He always has

three choices - karthum sakhyam, akartum sakhyam and anyatha karthum sakhyam

meaning he can choose to do, not to do and do it other way. For animals and

plants there is no freedom of choice. They are instinctively driven. Cow does

not sit down before meals, and inquire whether it should be a vegetarian or

non-vegetarian. So is a tiger. For a Man the discriminative intellect is very

evolved. Plants and

animals do not commit sin in their actions because there is no will involved in

their actions. For a human, the story is different. You may wonder why I

brought sin in the argument. Let me explain.

 

Sin is nothing but agitations in the mind. It is these agitations that prevent

me in my journey to Moksha. Mind has to be pure (meaning un-agitated) for me to

see the truth as the truth. (Bible also says Blessed are those whose minds are

pure). To define sin more scientifically - it is the divergence between the

mind and intellect. Intellect knows right from wrong - but we feel like doing

things even though we know they are wrong - that is, the intellect says

something, but mind, which should be subservient to intellect rebels and does

whatever it feels like. This divergence is sin. After the action is performed

- there is guilt feeling, because intellect, although was overruled, does not

keep quite, it keeps prodding " I told you it is wrong. Why did you do it? " With

peace of mind gone Man goes through a " Hell " . Man is not punished for the sin;

he is punished by the sin. - Think about it.

 

All yogas, if you analyze clearly, are bringing this integration between the

body, mind and intellect. For a Yogi - What he thinks, what he speaks and what

he does are in perfect harmony or alignment (Manasaa vacha karmana). In our

case, we think something but have no guts to say what we think, our lips says

something different from what are thinking - if you watch the lips and the

actions that follow, they are again different! - There is no integration any

where. We live a chaotic life. Besides deceiving others, most pathetic is we

deceive ourselves, and the worst thing is we don't even realize that.

 

Now, when a tiger kills and eats, it does not commit a sin. Because its

intellect is rudimentary, and it does not go through any analysis before it

kills - should I kill or not to kill - Should I be a non-vegetarian or should I

be vegetarian " . When it is hungry, to fill the natures demand, it kills it pray

and eats what it needs and leaves the rest when it is full. It is not greedy

either. That is its Swadharma. It follows a beautiful ecological system.

 

It is only man who destroys the ecology by being greedy. " Should I be a

vegetarian or non-vegetarian? " is asked only by a man. Why that question comes?

Because man has discriminative intellect, and he does not want to hurt others to

fill his belly. He learns what `hurt' means because he surely does not want

others to hurt him. Plants are life forms too, should one hurt them? You may

ask. If one can live without hurting any life forms that is the best, but that

is not possible. Life lives on life - that is the law of nature. My role as a

human being with discriminative intellect is to do the least damage to the

nature for keeping myself alive. At least, I am not consciously aware of

suffering of the plants. That is why eating to live and not living to eat is

the determining factor.

 

In Bhagawad Geeta, Krishna emphatically says that a Saadhaka (one who is in

pursuit of Moksha) should have a compassion for all forms of life - Sarva Bhuuta

HiterathAha. In the spiritual growth, one develops subtler and subtler

intellect (Sukshma Bhuddhi in contrast to TeeKshNa Buddhi, i.e. sharper

intellect). That is, the mind is becoming quieter, calmer and self-contended.

Your sensitivity to suffering of others also grows. Hence it is advisable to be

a vegetarian.

 

Even the traditional non-vegetarians repel against eating dogs and cats or other

human beings! Why? Meat is meat after all! But with familiarity grows

compassion.

 

There are many two legged animals in human form with rudimentary intellect.

They behave like animals, as we heard a case recently in Michigan of man eating

humans keeping them in the refrigerator. But in the evolutionary ladder one

develops subtler and subtler intellect, then it is advisable to be a vegetarian

- only taking from nature what it needs to keep the body going. One should not

hurt any life forms to satisfy the craving of ones tongue.

 

Should Hindu be a vegetarian? Since such a question already arose in your mind,

you have a degree of sensitivity not to hurt other living forms to satisfy your

belly. Then you may be better off not eating meat and you will be at peace with

yourself. Since you are sensitive to this the intellect directing you one way

and your mind wants some baser pleasure and directing you the other way. When

you go against your own intellect you commit sin. That is against your SWADHARMA

as Krishna puts it. Swadharma in a nut shell is what your intellect or conscious

believes in.

 

Besides, now, even the traditional non-vegetarians are choosing vegetarianism

not because of any compassion to other animals but they are recognizing that it

is not good for their health.

 

I have already mentioned that Hinduism has no do-s and don'ts, but you

determine your own do-s and don'ts based on your intellectual values, culture,

education and primary goal in life. Krishna gives only list of value systems

and say a wise man follows these. One can be otherwise, and face the

consequencs. You will find that following your Swadharma makes you comfortable

with yourself. It is not others to judge, it is for you to judge. If you are

agitated, that means you are loosing peace of mind for these and that is a sin!

Imagine your self that chicken or cow that you are eating. Would you not advice

the guy who is eating you to be a vegetarian instead and spare its life. Do not

say you are not killing the animal yourself, and killing will go on whether you

eat or not. If you don't eat, one animal is spared. This is the demand and

supply. I may not be stealing my self, but if I buy the stolen property knowing

that it was stolen, it is a

crime! Is it not? Now there are imitation meats too - so why crave for a dead

meet. Why do you want your stomach to be a burial ground for a dead animal.

 

From Hinduism point, it does not really care. All it wants is for you to pursue

the path towards the Sanatanadharma. So do what is needful to keep your mind

calm and un-agitated. Purification of the mind is the means for attaining

salvation, and that is the goal of human life. Since by willful actions we got

ourselves into this mess of Samsar, or suffering, it is by willful Saadhana

(your efforts) only we can get out of it. Lord has given us the intelligence to

accomplish this - Krishna declares - you are better off following your swadharma

than paradharma. Swadharma (is not just what caste you belong or what religion

you belong) in the final analysis it is what your intellect or conscious

dictates. Because, after the action is performed, it is your mind that has to

settle accounts with your intellect.

 

Do yourself a favor - eat only what you need, I do not think eating meat comes

as your essential need. In fact it could even be harmful for your body if not

to the mind.

 

Hari Om and Tat Sat. - Sadananda

 

 

 

 

--- On Tue, 7/22/08, rajalakshmi13 <rajalakshmi.iyer wrote:

 

rajalakshmi13 <rajalakshmi.iyer

Meaning of 'Life'

advaitin

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 3:15 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello All ,

 

The discussion on the post on Village Life have been very insightful.

I will respect the request from the moderators and not carry that

discussion forward . However , it did bring up a question in my mind

regarding the meaning of the term 'life ' .

 

It appears that the term 'life' is usually used only for the animal

kingdom . Contextually , plant life should also be

considered 'life ' ? Given the core thread of brahman through all of

manifest reality , every element of this manifest universe qualifies

as 'life' ? Should one 'life' eating another 'life' be simply

considered as much a part of maaya as existence itself is ?

 

Regards

 

/ Raji /

[Guest guest]

advaitin , kuntimaddi sadananda

<kuntimaddisada wrote:

>

> Shree Raji - PraNAms

>

> Several years ago in response to a similar question on 'altHindu'

discussion group, I wrote an article on vegitarianism and I am posting

here again for the benefit of others.

>

> Hari Om!

> Sadananda

> ---------

> Sub: Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian

>

> Recently two questions were asked - Does Hinduism require one to

believe in God? Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian? In a

recent article, I have addressed the first question. Here I will

provide some thoughts for the second question.

>

> In relation to the first question, I have discussed what Hinduism

stands for, and who is truly a Hindu. In essence, Hinduism is

Sanatana Dharma, and that Dharma is from time immemorial - it involves

pursuit for Moksha. Therefore the one who is seeking for Moksha is a

true Hindu, irrespective of the nationality, caste, creed or gender.

There are other aspects that go with sanatana dharma, but in a nut

shell pursuit of Moksha is the essential ingradient. With that

catholic understanding, one can see that Hinduism becomes a way of

life because the pursuit of the essential purpose of life is the goal

of the Hindu life.

 

 

> Do yourself a favor - eat only what you need, I do not think eating

meat comes as your essential need. In fact it could even be harmful

for your body if not to the mind.

>

> Hari Om and Tat Sat. - Sadananda

>

Namaste Sri Sadanandaji,

 

Thank you for your beautiful and clear exposition on

vegetarianism.

 

Would it be possible to request you to also publish

your other response here? 'Does Hinduism require

one to believe in God?'

 

I would be very interested to read what

you have to say on that subject.

 

Thank you so much

 

Pranams,

Durga

[Guest guest]

On 7/22/08, rajalakshmi13 <rajalakshmi.iyer wrote:

 

 

 

 

Hello All ,

 

The discussion on the post on Village Life have been very insightful.

I will respect the request from the moderators and not carry that

discussion forward . However , it did bring up a question in my mind

regarding the meaning of the term 'life ' .

 

It appears that the term 'life' is usually used only for the animal

kingdom . Contextually , plant life should also be

considered 'life ' ? Given the core thread of brahman through all of

manifest reality , every element of this manifest universe qualifies

as 'life' ? Should one 'life' eating another 'life' be simply

considered as much a part of maaya as existence itself is ?

 

Regards

 

/ Raji /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was under the idea that one should eat only what does not result in

death. If I can eat from a plant without killing it then this is

preferable. This is all very new to me. I picked this up from something

I read, I think within one of these posts, about not eating a plant

such as Spinach because it dies when you harvest it.

 

What about things such as free range eggs and milk?

 

I am not vegetarian at this time and I am pretty new to Advaita (not as

new to non-duality) so I have not had time to get this all together. I

have every intention of working this into my life, though. It's all

such a flood of information right now and it can be overwhelming.

 

R Henry

[Guest guest]

--- On Tue, 7/22/08, R Henry <rhenry1210 wrote:

 

What about things such as free range eggs and milk?

 

I am not vegetarian at this time and I am pretty new to Advaita (not as new to

non-duality) so I have not had time to get this all together. I have every

intention of working this into my life, though. It's all such a flood of

information right now and it can be overwhelming.

 

Henry - PraNAms

 

If I were you I would not worry myself with all unnecessary details at this

time. I would concentrate on understanding of advaita philosophy - there are

Introductory chapters stored in Dennis Website - adviata.org.uk As the mind

starts absorbing and contemplating, you yourself will become sensitive to things

and adopt a life at your pace that you are comfortable with. I suggest you read

the writing of 'peace pilgrim' - American lady who walked continously preaching

peace. You can find from google info.

Best luck

Hari Om!

Sadananda

[Guest guest]

On 7/22/08, kuntimaddi sadananda <kuntimaddisada wrote:

 

 

 

 

If I were you I would not worry myself with all unnecessary details at

this time. I would concentrate on understanding of advaita philosophy -

there are Introductory chapters stored in Dennis Website - adviata.org.uk

As the mind starts absorbing and contemplating, you yourself will

become sensitive to things and adopt a life at your pace that you are

comfortable with. I suggest you read the writing of 'peace pilgrim' -

American lady who walked continously preaching peace. You can find from

google info.

Best luck

Hari Om!

Sadananda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you1

 

I've been reading the Book of One

and then I have several others stacked up and waiting to go. I was

quite thrilled to find Advaita because I had been working on this

non-duality philosophy all alone and I didn't even know that it was out

there, elsewhere. I had too many preconceived notions of Eastern

philosophy. Though I had always thought it was very beautiful I had

never studied it deeply enough to get past the different " Gods " and

other aspects that I didn't realize were symbols. Being a non-dualist,

I always wrote it off because of that. It was my own loss, I suppose.

 

I actually stumbled over Advaita while reading A Course in Miracles, which was good but I had a couple of issues with it.

 

I am finding Advaita to be very beautiful and exaclty what I wanted to study. As I said, I have several books waiting to read. Back to the Truth, the Book, You were Never Born and I Am to name a few. I also have some older ones, like Astavakra Samhita, and some scripture to study. I'll be busy for a while!

 

Thank you for the recommendation, too. I'll look for it! I can never

have too much reinforcement. If I have any questions I will be sure to

post them.

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " R Henry " <rhenry1210 wrote:

>

> On 7/22/08, rajalakshmi13 <rajalakshmi.iyer wrote:

> >

> > >

> What about things such as free range eggs and milk?

>

> I am not vegetarian at this time and I am pretty new to Advaita

(not as new

> to non-duality) so I have not had time to get this all together. I

have

> every intention of working this into my life, though. It's all such

a flood

> of information right now and it can be overwhelming.

>

> R Henry

>

 

Namaste Henry:

 

That chick is called " aNDadaataa " and as an advatin I respect her

with a blessing, " aNDadaataa sukhii bhava " .

 

Meaning - May the giver of Eggs be happy.

 

Regards,

 

Dr. Yadu

[Guest guest]

Namaste Durgaji and other interested members:

 

You have brought the important point that " Hinduism " is truly

Sanatana Dharma. It is essentially not a religion but the way of

life respecting and without disturbing other forms of life coexisting

in the universe. In Chinmaya Mission Pledge, we used to make the

promise that we PRODUCE more than what we CONSUME. The question

whether one believes in God is irrelevant because we all believe in

the existence of `life' which is identical to believe in God! Only

when we are alive we have the question about God and after our death,

the question also dies.

 

Human beings are ever evolving with the change in time and

environment. What was good yesterday may not be considered good

tomorrow. History has demonstrated with uncountable number of

examples regarding good and bad at different times. On the same

score, food habits were never uniform and we witness different habits

at different times and locations. Here are some facts with respect

to who is considered as vegetarians.

The root word for 'Vegetarian' comes from the Greek word " Vegetas "

which means 'whole, sound, fresh, lively'. On the basis of this root

word alone, we can't exclude food from animals' flesh. According to

the Oxford Dictionary, 'Vegetarian' is defined as a person who

abstains from animal food. Depending upon the type of food included

in the diet, vegetarian diets can be classified broadly into three

categories:

 

A: Pure Vegetarian or 100 % Vegetarian: This diet does not include

animal flesh or animal products.

 

They may be further classified into two types:

 

I. Fruitarian: This diet is confined to fruits, nuts and

certain vegetables, where harvesting allows the parent plant to

flourish.

II. Vegan: This diet excludes the consumption of all foods of

animal origin.

 

B: Vegetarian diets which include certain animal products: Most of

the vegetarians in the world including in India falls in this

category. This maybe further classified into:-

 

1. Lacto-Vegetarian: This diet includes milk and dairy foods, but no

animal flesh or egg.

2. Ovo-Vegetarian: Diets that include eggs but no milk, dairy food,

or animal flesh.

3. Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian: Diets that include milk, dairy foods, and

egg but no animal flesh.

 

C: Vegetarians who eat certain animal flesh:

 

1. pesco-Vegetarian: Diet which includes milk, dairy products,

egg and fish but no other animal flesh.

2. Semi-Vegetarian: (also known as Demi-vegetarian / Quasi-

Vegetarian): Diet includes milk, dairy products, eggs, fish and

chicken but no other animal flesh.

 

In general, Non-Vegetarian is a person who eats food of animal and

plant origin.

 

(a) Pragmatic Vegetarian

A pragmatic vegetarian is one whose dietary behavior stems from

objective health consideration. Such a person is rational rather than

emotional in making decisions.

 

(b) Ideological Vegetarianism

An Ideological Vegetarian is one whose dietary behavior is a matter

of principle based on an ideology. Such a person is more emotional

than rational.

 

In general everyone chooses a particular type of diet due to various

reasons and considerations:

 

1. Religious

2. Geographical Location

3. Personal choice e.g. taste, look, etc.

4. Humane Considerations

5. Anatomical and physiological considerations

6. Behavioral considerations

7. Ecological and Economical considerations

8. Nutritional Value

 

The emerging new class of vegetarians is known as fruitarians who

eat only fruits and vegetables that do not kill the plant during

harvest. Few of these fruitarians eat only fruits that have fallen

from the trees. They consider plucking the fruits/vegetable from the

plants/trees may be harmful. They avoid eating carrots, onions and

other roots (such as potatoes, etc.,).

 

Many in (especially in the western world) the world society believed

that vegetarian food may not fully satisfy the nutritional

requirements for healthy living. But substantial scientific evidence

currently exist that shows that a balanced vegetarian diet is

healthier than diets which include animal flesh and products. The US

Department of Agriculture (where I work) has developed food pyramid

table specifically for Vegetarians that fully satisfy the nutritional

requirements.

With my warmest regards,

Ram Chandran

 

advaitin , " Durga " <durgaji108 wrote:

>

> > ---------

> > Sub: Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian

> >

> > Recently two questions were asked - Does Hinduism require one to

> believe in God? Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian? In a

> recent article, I have addressed the first question. Here I will

> provide some thoughts for the second question.

> >

> > In relation to the first question, I have discussed what Hinduism

> stands for, and who is truly a Hindu. In essence, Hinduism is

> Sanatana Dharma, and that Dharma is from time immemorial - it

involves

> pursuit for Moksha. Therefore the one who is seeking for Moksha is

a

> true Hindu, irrespective of the nationality, caste, creed or

gender.

> There are other aspects that go with sanatana dharma, but in a nut

> shell pursuit of Moksha is the essential ingradient. With that

> catholic understanding, one can see that Hinduism becomes a way of

> life because the pursuit of the essential purpose of life is the

goal

> of the Hindu life.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Henry:

 

 

That chick is called " aNDadaataa " and as an advatin I respect her

 

with a blessing, " aNDadaataa sukhii bhava " .

 

 

Meaning - May the giver of Eggs be happy.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Dr. Yadu

 

I'm sorry; But do you eat the eggs?

[Guest guest]

,The post by by Sri Rama Chandran is very educative and illustrative.I find the following paragraph as the gist of the topic.I very much thank him for his thorough study regarding vegetarianism.

 

In general everyone chooses a particular type of diet due to various reasons and considerations:

1. Religious 2. Geographical Location 3. Personal choice e.g. taste, look, etc. 4. Humane Considerations 5. Anatomical and physiological considerations 6. Behavioral considerations 7. Ecological and Economical considerations 8. Nutritional Value

 

Jabali Muni.

 

SarvE bhavanthu sukhinah sarvE santhu niraamayaahSarve bhadrANi pasyanthu maa kaschit duhkhabhAg bhavEt.

 

--- On Wed, 7/23/08, Ram Chandran <ramvchandran wrote:

Ram Chandran <ramvchandran Re: Meaning of 'Life'advaitin Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 6:04 AM

 

 

Namaste Durgaji and other interested members:You have brought the important point that "Hinduism" is truly Sanatana Dharma. It is essentially not a religion but the way of life respecting and without disturbing other forms of life coexisting in the universe. In Chinmaya Mission Pledge, we used to make the promise that we PRODUCE more than what we CONSUME. The question whether one believes in God is irrelevant because we all believe in the existence of `life' which is identical to believe in God! Only when we are alive we have the question about God and after our death, the question also dies. Human beings are ever evolving with the change in time and environment. What was good yesterday may not be considered good tomorrow. History has demonstrated with uncountable number of examples regarding good and bad at different times. On the same score, food habits were never uniform and we witness

different habits at different times and locations. Here are some facts with respect to who is considered as vegetarians.The root word for 'Vegetarian' comes from the Greek word "Vegetas" which means 'whole, sound, fresh, lively'. On the basis of this root word alone, we can't exclude food from animals' flesh. According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'Vegetarian' is defined as a person who abstains from animal food. Depending upon the type of food included in the diet, vegetarian diets can be classified broadly into three categories: A: Pure Vegetarian or 100 % Vegetarian: This diet does not include animal flesh or animal products. They may be further classified into two types: I. Fruitarian: This diet is confined to fruits, nuts and certain vegetables, where harvesting allows the parent plant to flourish. II. Vegan: This diet excludes the consumption of all foods of animal

origin. B: Vegetarian diets which include certain animal products: Most of the vegetarians in the world including in India falls in this category. This maybe further classified into:- 1. Lacto-Vegetarian: This diet includes milk and dairy foods, but no animal flesh or egg. 2. Ovo-Vegetarian: Diets that include eggs but no milk, dairy food, or animal flesh. 3. Lacto-Ovo-Vegetaria n: Diets that include milk, dairy foods, and egg but no animal flesh. C: Vegetarians who eat certain animal flesh: 1. pesco-Vegetarian: Diet which includes milk, dairy products, egg and fish but no other animal flesh. 2. Semi-Vegetarian: (also known as Demi-vegetarian / Quasi-Vegetarian): Diet includes milk, dairy products, eggs, fish and chicken but no other animal flesh. In general, Non-Vegetarian is a person who eats food of animal and plant origin. (a) Pragmatic Vegetarian A

pragmatic vegetarian is one whose dietary behavior stems from objective health consideration. Such a person is rational rather than emotional in making decisions.(b) Ideological Vegetarianism An Ideological Vegetarian is one whose dietary behavior is a matter of principle based on an ideology. Such a person is more emotional than rational. In general everyone chooses a particular type of diet due to various reasons and considerations: 1. Religious 2. Geographical Location 3. Personal choice e.g. taste, look, etc. 4. Humane Considerations 5. Anatomical and physiological considerations 6. Behavioral considerations 7. Ecological and Economical considerations 8. Nutritional Value The emerging new class of vegetarians is known as fruitarians who eat only fruits and vegetables that do not kill the plant during harvest. Few of these fruitarians eat only fruits that have

fallen from the trees. They consider plucking the fruits/vegetable from the plants/trees may be harmful. They avoid eating carrots, onions and other roots (such as potatoes, etc.,). Many in (especially in the western world) the world society believed that vegetarian food may not fully satisfy the nutritional requirements for healthy living. But substantial scientific evidence currently exist that shows that a balanced vegetarian diet is healthier than diets which include animal flesh and products. The US Department of Agriculture (where I work) has developed food pyramid table specifically for Vegetarians that fully satisfy the nutritional requirements. With my warmest regards,Ram Chandranadvaitin@ s.com, "Durga" <durgaji108@ ...> wrote:>> > ---------> > Sub: Does

Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian> > > > Recently two questions were asked - Does Hinduism require one to> believe in God? Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian? In a> recent article, I have addressed the first question. Here I will> provide some thoughts for the second question. > > > > In relation to the first question, I have discussed what Hinduism> stands for, and who is truly a Hindu. In essence, Hinduism is> Sanatana Dharma, and that Dharma is from time immemorial - it involves> pursuit for Moksha. Therefore the one who is seeking for Moksha is a> true Hindu, irrespective of the nationality, caste, creed or gender. > There are other aspects that go with sanatana dharma, but in a nut> shell pursuit of Moksha is the essential ingradient. With that> catholic understanding, one can see that Hinduism becomes a way

of> life because the pursuit of the essential purpose of life is the goal> of the Hindu life.