Veganism and Religion: What Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism can teach us about our fellow animals (Part 2 of 3)

In part one of our three-part blog series about veganism and religion, we explored the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – and how their scriptures and doctrines define the human relationship with our fellow animals.

While these three religions are followed by around 55% of humans alive, other religions are important, too. For example, a diverse range of religions are associated with China and Africa.

In this second part of our series, we’ll examine the perspectives of four other major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism – all of which originated in the Indian subcontinent.

These four religions strongly emphasise compassion, non-violence, and respect for all living beings, which can create a foundation for ethical veganism.

Ahimsa

The religions we’re covering today all share a common belief in the principle of Ahimsa.

Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that means “non-injury” (sometimes translated as “non-harm” or “non-violence”). It represents refraining from causing harm or injury to any living being in thought, word, or deed. At its core, Ahimsa is a commitment to compassion, kindness, and respect for all life.

The Vegan Society explains that Ahimsa is a verb almost always used with an active rather than passive voice. This implies that it isn’t enough to simply not cause harm; we must act to prevent it. This is why Ahimsa is sometimes referred to as “active harmlessness”.

Non-violence in this context is closely linked to karma, the belief that every thought or action put into the world has a consequence that will be visited back on its source, either in this lifetime or another.

It’s a simplification, but karma essentially encapsulates the idea that we each reap what we sow. For example, if we harm a fellow animal, we will experience a negative consequence for causing that pain and suffering.

Each religion takes a slightly different approach to Ahimsa, which we’ll explore in more detail below.

Hinduism

With over a billion followers worldwide, Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest and most followed religions (accounting for 15.1% of the global population).

Ahimsa is a central tenet in many Hindu texts and forms the ethical basis for vegetarianism and, more recently, veganism within the faith. It’s estimated that 33% of all Hindus are vegetarian.

Negative karma caused by violence in thought or deed is known as Himsa and is the antithesis of Ahimsa.

Early Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads emphasise the sanctity of all life forms and encourage compassion toward all living beings. For example, the Yajur Veda states:

“Do not injure the beings living on the earth, in the air, and in the water.”

The Rig Veda is one of Hinduism’s oldest scriptures and reflects a deep respect for all forms of life:

“May all beings look at me with a friendly eye, may I do likewise, and may we look at each other with the eyes of a friend.” (Rig Veda 10.191.4)

Hinduism teaches that the suffering of all beings is a result of craving or desire, both of which have a negative karmic effect. It’s believed that humans slaughter other animals for food as the result of craving and, in doing so, condemn themselves to suffering.

The Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic poem revered in Hinduism, explicitly discourages the harming of our animal kin by warning:

“He who permits the slaughter of an animal, he who cuts it up, he who kills it, he who buys or sells meat, he who cooks it, he who serves it up, and he who eats it, must all be considered as the slayers of the animal.” (Mahabharata 13.115)

The same text emphasises the importance of Ahimsa:

“Ahimsa is the highest duty, Ahimsa is the highest self-control, Ahimsa is the greatest gift, Ahimsa is the best practice of truth, and Ahimsa is the best form of tapas (austerity).”

The Bhagavad Gita, which occupies chapters 23 to 40 of Book VI of the Mahabharata and is one of the most revered texts in Hinduism, encourages followers to live in harmony with nature:

“Behold the one indestructible being pervading all creatures; the imperishable within the perishable.” (Bhagavad Gita 13.27)

Many Hindus interpret these teachings as a call to abstain from animal-derived products, viewing vegetarianism or veganism as a way to practice non-violence and compassion in daily life. The principle of Ahimsa also extends to environmental stewardship, recognising that all living things are interconnected.

Historical and contemporary practices in Hinduism

Many Hindus traditionally follow a vegetarian diet, particularly in India, where an estimated 40% of the population is vegetarian (Pew Research Center 2021). This is often due to religious beliefs about reincarnation and the sacredness of all life, as well as cultural norms that honour Ahimsa. Some sects, such as Vaishnavism, advocate for a vegetarian lifestyle.

There seems to be a growing movement within Hindu communities toward veganism, which extends the concept of non-violence to avoid using all animal products, including dairy. This recognises that dairy farming practices often involve significant suffering for cows and calves, animals who are seen as sacred within Hinduism.

Buddhism

Buddhism, which has over half a billion followers worldwide, is another major religion that emphasises non-violence and compassion toward all living beings. These principles are grounded in the Buddha’s teachings and have shaped various Buddhist practices throughout history.

In Buddhism, Ahimsa is closely aligned with the principle of Karuna (compassion) and is a core tenet of the religion. As in Hinduism, Ahimsa in Buddhism extends beyond mere action to include harmful thoughts and intentions, encouraging practitioners to cultivate a mind of loving-kindness (metta) and compassion toward all beings.

Just as Judaism and Christianity have the Ten Commandments, Buddhists follow five precepts, essentially five ethical living guidelines. The First Precept of Buddhism is to abstain from taking life, including the lives of our animal kin.

The Buddha taught compassion for all sentient beings, as seen in the Dhammapada:

“All beings tremble before danger, all fear death. When a man considers this, he does not kill or cause to kill.” (Dhammapada 129)

As with most, if not all, religions, there are different schools of belief within Buddhism. The Mahayana tradition, for example, is more strictly vegetarian – one of its key texts is the Lankavatara Sutra, a philosophical discourse said to have been preached by the Buddha in the mythical city of Lanka. This is particularly clear in its stance against eating animal flesh:

“For the sake of love of purity, the Bodhisattva, whose nature is compassion, is not to eat any meat.” (Lankavatara Sutra 8:15)

Elsewhere in the text, the Buddha is quoted as saying:

“I have not permitted meat eating by anyone. I do not permit it. I will not permit it.”

“If meat is not eaten by anybody for any reason, there will be no destroyer of life.”

Buddhist texts like the Jataka Tales also highlight stories where the Buddha, in various past lives, exemplifies compassion and respect for all animals, refusing to harm or eat them.

Historical and contemporary practices in Buddhism

As we’ve touched on above, Buddhist views on diet vary by tradition and region. This article from The Conversation explores how and why different viewpoints have evolved.

It may largely come down to geography. Vegetables, fruit, and rice are difficult to grow in some mountain regions, for example, while farmed animals may be more resilient within these landscapes.

Many Mahayana Buddhists in East Asia, such as those in China, Korea, and Vietnam, adhere to vegetarian or vegan diets, considering it essential to practice Ahimsa fully. Monastic communities often practice vegetarianism, but this is less common among lay followers.

In Theravada Buddhism, which is practised primarily in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, monks traditionally accept whatever food is offered to them, including meat. Indeed, the Buddha himself is believed to have died as a result of eating the contaminated flesh of a pig because, as a monk, he was unable to refuse it when given.

There does seem to be an increasing awareness and shift towards plant-based diets among both monks and laypeople, perhaps because it’s clear that animal agriculture is causing widespread harm, making it at odds with Ahimsa.

Many modern Buddhists advocate veganism, arguing that it best aligns with the core Buddhist values of non-violence, compassion, and mindfulness.

Sikhism

Sikhism has over 26 million adherents worldwide. The Indian state of Punjab, homeplace for most Sikhs, has the third highest percentage of vegetarians out of all 29 Indian states.

In Sikhism, Ahimsa is an important ethical guideline, although it is not as explicitly emphasised as in Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism (see below). Sikh teachings promote kindness, compassion, and respect for all living beings, aligning with the principles of Ahimsa.

The central holy scripture of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, teaches the unity and interconnectedness of all life forms. While the scripture does not explicitly forbid meat consumption, it encourages compassion and moderation:

“All living beings are His; He is the Lord and Master of all.” (Guru Granth Sahib 425)

The Guru Granth Sahib also stresses that unnecessary violence should be avoided, and some passages are interpreted as advocating a plant-based diet:

“Do not cause pain to any creature, go back to your home with your honour.” (Guru Granth Sahib 1377)

Historical and contemporary practices in Sikhism

Historically, the Sikh Gurus promoted Ahimsa and rejected ritualistic animal sacrifices. Today, the Sikh code of conduct (Rehat Maryada) allows followers to eat meat as long as it is not “kutha” meat (slaughtered ritually as per Islamic law), but it is generally silent on vegetarianism or veganism.

However, the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and other Sikh groups advocate for a vegetarian or vegan diet, believing it aligns with the principle of avoiding harm to living beings.

There is a growing interest in veganism within the Sikh community, especially among young Sikhs who see it as an extension of their faith’s emphasis on kindness, compassion, and justice for all beings.

Jainism

Though Jainism is a smaller religion with around 4.2 million followers worldwide, it significantly impacts discussions about non-violence and ethical living. Jainism’s commitment to Ahimsa is unparalleled among the world’s religions.

The principle of Ahimsa is the most fundamental ethical code in Jainism, and it extends to all living beings, including insects and microorganisms. Jain texts, such as the Acaranga Sutra, explicitly state:

“All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.” (Acaranga Sutra 1.4.1)

Jain scriptures clarify that followers must avoid harming any form of life, including adhering to a strict vegetarian diet. Many Jains also avoid root vegetables like potatoes and onions because harvesting them involves uprooting and killing the entire plant.

Historical and Contemporary Practices in Jainism

Jains have historically been strict vegetarians, and many are vegan, avoiding all animal-derived products, including dairy, because they believe it is impossible to produce milk without causing harm to cows and calves.

Jain monks and nuns take Ahimsa to the highest level, often using cloth masks to avoid inhaling and harming small insects.

In recent years, there has been a strong movement within the Jain community to promote veganism. Organisations like Jain Vegans actively encourage Jains to adopt a vegan lifestyle, arguing that it is the most consistent expression of Ahimsa in the modern world.

All life is interconnected

These four religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism – offer profound teachings about the importance of compassion toward all living beings. Each has its unique perspective, but they all emphasise non-violence, respect, and empathy as core values that can be aligned with a vegan lifestyle.

There is also a profound recognition that when we harm another animal, it has consequences in terms of the suffering we inflict on ourselves and others. Ecological destruction is a clear example of this.

As we see more awareness of animal rights and environmental sustainability, there is a growing recognition within these religious communities that adopting a plant-based diet is a powerful way to practice their spiritual principles in everyday life.

The concept of Ahimsa also invites people to think about stewardship and the role we can each play in actively preventing harm to our fellow animals.

Stay tuned for the third and final part of our series, where we will examine some religious organisations’ role in the animal freedom movement.