Simply by protection of cows all the wonderful benefits of religiosity and piety will be automatically achieved without any separate endeavor.” (Purport: Shrimad-Bhagavatam 4.21.38)
Hinduism is a vast compendium of shared stories, concepts, rituals, cosmology, textual resources and sacred sites, all subject to varied interpretations. There is no central authority interpreting the texts of Hinduism and as such, Hinduism is a religion with spiritual freedom at its core. Nevertheless, there is an unmistakable reverence for Nature and animals in the foundational stories and rituals of Hinduism, which makes Hinduism resonate with Veganism. Indeed, the 2015 Hindu Declaration on Climate Change is the first major religious declaration that calls for the worldwide adoption of a plant-based vegan diet!
Generally, the Hindu religion sees killing animals for food at sacrilegious. Vegetarianism (eating no flesh of any animal including no fish and eggs) is commonly essential to the Hindu faith and sadhus and swamis of ancient India recognized animal suffering and the importance of protecting all living beings. One survey shows that in modern times, 42% of Indian households are vegetarian, and another commonly cited figure places over 30% of Indians as vegetarian. This is largely due to Hinduism.
Vedic texts describe incarnations of God in various animal forms and ahimsa is a primary guiding tenant in much of Hindu Philosophy and really all Dharmic traditions. Ahimsa literally means “non-harming” or “non-violence” but it can also resonate as a call for dynamic compassion and caring. Our compassion should extend to all living beings and those that are sentient should be protected and cared for most.
In the book Animals and World Religions, Lisa Kemmerer writes, “Eating cows is particularly base for Hindus, but flesh eating in general remains spiritually abhorrent. In light of reincarnation, eating hens and ducks, goats and Kangyan cattle is ‘foolish’ for it is ‘like eating the flesh of one’s own son.’ (citing Chapple, “Ahimsa,” 114)”
The Cow As Mother
Among Hindus, the cow is considered one of our mothers. She has nurtured us for a millennia giving us her milk for sustenance and her dung for fuel. She has taken care of us as a loving, giving mother should, but as a society we are growing up now and mother cow is not being cared for properly. She is suffering in dairy production, trying to feed a hungry world of seven billion. Cows live miserable, short lives in dairy production and are killed at a young age. It’s time for us to stand on our own, not take from our mother anymore, and simply care for her in return for her love. Let her retire to sanctuaries and let her live her life out in peace.
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