Why are most Hindu's vegetarians?

Answer 1

Diet in Hinduism is traditionally governed by the rules laid out in the Dharmaśāstras, a genre of Sanskrit texts pertaining to Hindu religious and legal duty. The Dharmaśāstras has put much emphasis on Bhojana ("that which is enjoyed" - meals).

Some major paths of Hinduism hold vegetarianism as an ideal. There are three main reasons for this:

1. The principle of nonviolence (ahimsa) applied to animals.
2. The intention to offer only "pure" (vegetarian) food to a deity and then to receive it back as prasad
3. The conviction that non-vegetarian food is detrimental for the mind and for spiritual development.

Many Hindus point to scriptural bases, such as the Mahabharata's maxim that "Nonviolence is the highest duty and the highest teaching," as advocating a vegetarian diet.

Vegetarianism is propagated by the Yajurveda and it is recommended for a satvic (purifying) lifestyle. Thus, another reason that dietary purity is so eminent within Hinduism is because "the idea that food reflects the general qualities of nature: purity, energy, inertia"; it follows that a healthy diet should be one that promotes purity within an individual.

Contrary to popular belief, India is not presently a predominantly vegetarian country. Historically and currently, those Hindus who eat meat prescribe jhatka meat. This is a common method of slaughter when Bali Sacrifices are made to some Hindu deities, however, Vedic rituals such as Agnicayana involved the strangulation of sacrificial goats. Yet, most abstain from beef and/or pork.

Answer 2

Diet in Hinduism is traditionally governed by the rules laid out in the Dharmaśāstras, a genre of Sanskrit texts pertaining to Hindu religious and legal duty. The Dharmaśāstras has put much emphasis on Bhojana ("that which is enjoyed" - meals).

Some major paths of Hinduism hold vegetarianism as an ideal. There are three main reasons for this:

1. The principle of nonviolence (ahimsa) applied to animals.
2. The intention to offer only "pure" (vegetarian) food to a deity and then to receive it back as prasad
3. The conviction that non-vegetarian food is detrimental for the mind and for spiritual development.

Many Hindus point to scriptural bases, such as the Mahabharata's maxim that "Nonviolence is the highest duty and the highest teaching," as advocating a vegetarian diet.

Vegetarianism is propagated by the Yajurveda and it is recommended for a satvic (purifying) lifestyle. Thus, another reason that dietary purity is so eminent within Hinduism is because "the idea that food reflects the general qualities of nature: purity, energy, inertia"; it follows that a healthy diet should be one that promotes purity within an individual.

Contrary to popular belief, India is not presently a predominantly vegetarian country. Historically and currently, those Hindus who eat meat prescribe jhatka meat. This is a common method of slaughter when Bali Sacrifices are made to some Hindu deities, however, Vedic rituals such as Agnicayana involved the strangulation of sacrificial goats. Yet, most abstain from beef and/or pork.

Answer 3

Hinduism preaches for Non-violence which forbids any kind of harm to animals. Killing any life form for food is considered violence. Plants yield fruits, grains and other edible substances on their own, which is considered appropriate for consumption by Hindus. Hence, most Hindus are vegetarians.