Philosophical Vegan Forum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetaria ... d_religion

Which religion do you think is the most vegan? I know that you can find vegans and vegetarians in virtually all religions, but which religion is the most vegan compulsory? I believe all animals have a soul, spirit, consciousness as much as we do and should not be harmed. Eastern religions have ahimsa (nonviolence) as an important rule or guideline, but have noticed Daoists and Buddhists still eat a lot of meat. Jainism requires at least vegetarianism. Is Jainism the religion that is the most vegan compulsory? By religion, I mean a religion that is at least 1,000 years old. I realize there are numerous new religious movements and cults and denominations that have required vegetarianism, but due to being new religions, they have more up to date information about the benefits of vegetarianism so are not really that impressive.

Jainism is around 3,000 years old and required vegetarianism. Are there any other religions about that old that have required vegetarianism? For those of you who are philosophical, ethical vegans, have you considered Jainism? If not, why not?

spencer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:38 pmWhich religion do you think is the most vegan?

The only religion I have heard of that requires veganism is the African Hebrew Israelites. Jainism, 12 day Adventists and Mahayana Buddhists mostly stop at vegetarianism. Although it is good that these religions have been successful in getting people to stop eating meat, from what I've observed, atheists are far more likely to become and remain vegans than any religion.

spencer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:38 pmhave you considered Jainism? If not, why not?

What reason would I have to start believing in supernatural concepts such as heaven and hell when there is no evidence pointing to such. Also, I am already vegan so going vegetarian would be a step in the wrong direction.

I visited a Jain temple in India a couple of years ago. I was not impressed. The monks seemed more concerned with getting donations from tourists than anything else.

How about Hinduism?

Cloppy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 1:11 pm How about Hinduism?

In India and Nepal most Hindus are vegetarian. In Mauritius almost all Hindus eat meat.

Jebus wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 1:31 pm

Cloppy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 1:11 pm How about Hinduism?

In India and Nepal most Hindus are vegetarian. In Mauritius almost all Hindus eat meat.

Is it part of the religion though? This is what I wonder because I thought Hinduism follows the concept of ahimsa which means non-violence and animals are included and that would mean that if they were aware of animal cruelty in the dairy and egg industry it would be wrong to contribute to it.

Jebus wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:04 am The only religion I have heard of that requires veganism is the African Hebrew Israelites. Jainism, 12 day Adventists and Mahayana Buddhists mostly stop at vegetarianism. Although it is good that these religions have been successful in getting people to stop eating meat, from what I've observed, atheists are far more likely to become and remain vegans than any religion.

African Israelites is a new religious movement and not all Mahayana Buddhists are vegetarian. Most Buddhist traditions have a rule that it is okay to eat as long as someone else does the killing. And that's hypocritical of course. Let someone else do the dirty work. They have a precept against killing but for some reason believe it's okay if someone else does the dirty deed.

Yes, I've noticed many vegans are atheists. Jainism is an atheistic religion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism_a ... reationism

Cloppy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 1:11 pm How about Hinduism?

I've heard most of them eat meat and only a few traditions of Hinduism actually mandate a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Cloppy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:58 pmIs it part of the religion though?

That depends on whom you ask. Hard-core Hindus seem to believe that it is.

spencer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:06 pmI've heard most of them eat meat and only a few traditions of Hinduism actually mandate a vegetarian or vegan diet.

A lot of Hindus seem to cheat occasionally. I don't know if it is a majority. It is a touchy subject so probably hard to get exact numbers. I live in a majority Hindu country where only the priests and a few hard-core Hindus are vegetarian. The rest eat meat and they don't like when I ask them why.

"SUMA" Ching Hai's followers, Quan Yin... practitioners? I'm not sure what to call it as a religion, are vegan by requirement as far as I know. It's kind of a Buddhism offshoot.