I think a lot of people are wondering the answer to this question. What %age of Indians eat meat? From what I have read most gujus/rajasthanis r veg and vegetarianism is widesbread in the south. most vaishyas and brahmins r veg. according to my mother all of the sikhs her and my father have met r veg but that sounds fishy. and don’t forget the vegan jains who r about a half percent of the population. so im guessing perhps around a third of indians r veg.
I think more women then men are actually veg.. I have personally met perhaps one complete veg Indian guy.. This as apposed to meeting two that not only weren;t veg, but also ate beef!!
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Originally posted by vivek:
I think a lot of people are wondering the answer to this question. What %age of Indians eat meat? From what I have read most gujus/rajasthanis r veg and vegetarianism is widesbread in the south. most vaishyas and brahmins r veg. according to my mother all of the sikhs her and my father have met r veg but that sounds fishy. and don't forget the vegan jains who r about a half percent of the population. so im guessing perhps around a third of indians r veg.
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how do you relate this to Hinduism? like what does it say about this?
***I dunno where I'm going. I dunno what for. But I'm making progress.
here’s one source that might help. this is taken from a magazine called “Hinduism Today” from an interview called ‘nine questions about hinduism’ by a somewhat famous swami that died recently who is a white convert to hinduism. it’s quite a simple answer. i’ll come with more responses later.
- Is there a rule about Hindus eating meat?
Introduction
This is a very touchy subject.
When you are asked this question, there are several ways that you can go, depending on who is asking the question and the background in which they have been raised. Basically, there is a rule, an overlying rule, which gives the Hindu answer to this query. It is called ahimsa, refraining from injuring-physically, mentally or emotionally-anyone or any living creature. The Hindu who wishes to strictly follow the path of non-injury to all creatures naturally adopts a vegetarian diet.
We have collected many scriptural quotes which counsel Hindus not to eat meat. There are references in the Vedas and Manu Dharma Shastras to this effect, as well. As in other matters, Hinduism has very few rigid “do’s and don’ts.” Rather, its injunctions are called restraints and observances. The ultimate authority for answers to such questions is one’s own guru, or our religious community and sampradaya and our own understanding of the spiritual benefits from abstaining from eating meat. Let me put it this way. There are good Hindus who eat meat, and there are bad Hindus who are vegetarians.
Today in America and Europe there are literally millions of vegetarians. This is because they want to live a long time and be healthy. Many feel a certain moral obligation to their own conscience which they wish to fulfill. There are some good new books on vegetarianism, such as Diet for a New America by John Robbins. If you want to know about vegetarianism from the American perspective, write to us and we can refer you to some excellent books. Perhaps at your next meeting you can invite some of these authorities to come and speak to your group. There is also a fine magazine dedicated to the subject, “Vegetarian Times,” which comes out monthly. Now to some answers that you can memorize when asked about vegetarianism and its relationship to Hinduism.
Answer #1: Simply put, vegetarians are more numerous in the south of India than in the north. This is because of climactic conditions and the Islamic influence within the north of our country. Our religion does not lay down rigid “do’s and don’ts.” There are no commandments. Our religion gives us the wisdom to make up our own mind on what we put in our body, for it is the only one we have, in this life at least.
Answer #2: All of our priests and religious leaders are definitely vegetarian, because they have to awaken the more refined areas of their nature in order to perform their work. Our soldiers and law-enforcement people are generally not vegetarians. This is because they have to keep alive their aggressive forces in order to perform their work. To practice yoga and be successful in spiritual life it is advisable to become a vegetarian. It is a matter of wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge at any given moment.
Answer #3: Today, about twenty or thirty percent of all Hindus are vegetarians and the rest are not.
Summary
Through my forty years of presenting the eternal Truths of Hinduism, I have found that families who are vegetarian have fewer problems than those who are not. This is because when we eat meat, fish, fowl and eggs, we absorb the vibration of the instinctive creatures into our nerve system and this amplifies our own lower nature. Our lower nature is prone to fear, anger, jealousy, confusion, resentment and the like. We advise all members of my Saiva Siddhanta Church to be well-established vegetarians prior to initiation into mantram and then remain vegetarian afterward. However, we don’t insist upon members becoming vegetarian if they are not seeking initiation.
this seems to be an opinion of the author himself(perhaps based on his research)then the religion itself.
correct me if i am wrong.
I found this worth noticing..
We have collected many scriptural quotes which counsel Hindus not to eat meat.
hmm but the word counsel used by the author confuses me, which again makes me to think that its the authors point of view. like i am sure u are aware that in islam its forbidden to eat pork. thats it. and u can easily find that in quran.
similarly how does that apply for hinduism?
**Basically, there is a rule, an overlying rule, which gives the Hindu answer to this query. It is called ahimsa, refraining from injuring-physically, mentally or emotionally-anyone or any living creature. **
ahmisa? rule? where did it come from?
***I dunno where I’m going. I dunno what for. But I’m making progress.
Hinduism is not just about rules and rules, it is just a way of life,
It stresses on the consequences of actions or Karma. If you want something good you have to do something good
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif
Something like live, let live
Cheers and peace y’all
We Indians program the world
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Originally posted by indojunkie:
**
Hinduism is not just about rules and rules, it is just a way of life,It stresses on the consequences of actions or Karma. If you want something good you have to do something good
**
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life is like a game..and a game without rules is no fun to play..
karma?
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Originally posted by indojunkie:
** Something like live, let live
Cheers and peace y'all
**
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u guys have quite a freedom
[This message has been edited by heart beat (edited July 14, 2002).]
iNDOJUNKIE
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
i DONT blame you in particular b/c your source is JUNK.
What do you mean hinduism does nt have rule then you say WAY of LIFE .Islam is also by most observer called WAY of life .
Both way of life has to follow somthing .Lets say even Karma requires you to do good deed .Isnt doing good a voluntary EFFORTFULL action .Evil comes easy to all .
Another junjk is AHIMSA .I dont think any religion including Islam ever asks or orders muslims to kill unnecessarily except in Battles which HINDUS too …see the hindu diety Ram carrying Bow & Arrow not quiet non violent on animals for hunting or men in battles.
I am frustrated by hindus for this JUNK hollier than thou as you express ofcourse i m giving you benefit of the doubt as being TAUGHT WRONG rather than will full deception.
Wohi Hota Hai Jo Munzoore Khuda Hota Hai …:nahnah: