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Posted
On 4/1/2026 at 3:18 AM, randomGuy said:

India has a long tradition of spiritual teachers who encouraged or strongly supported vegetarianism, usually based on ahimsa (non-violence), purity of mind, and compassion. Here are some of the most influential ones:


Hindu Gurus & Saints
Adi Shankaracharya
Strongly emphasized sattvic (pure) diet, which is vegetarian
Saw food as influencing mental clarity and spiritual progress

 


Ramanujacharya
Promoted strict vegetarianism in the Sri Vaishnava tradition
Food offered to God (prasadam) must be vegetarian
Madhvacharya
Advocated vegetarianism as part of devotional purity
Udupi tradition is still strictly vegetarian

 


Swami Vivekananda
Personally not strictly vegetarian always, but:
Acknowledged vegetarianism as ideal for spiritual seekers
Linked it with control of mind and compassion

 

 

Jain & Buddhist Influences
Mahavira
One of the strongest advocates of vegetarianism in history
Absolute non-violence → strict vegan/vegetarian lifestyle
Gautama Buddha
Did not universally mandate vegetarianism
But promoted compassion toward all beings
Later Buddhist traditions (esp. Mahayana) strongly support vegetarianism

 



 Big Picture
Across Indian traditions:
Jainism → strictest (absolute non-violence)
Hindu yogic paths → recommend vegetarian (sattvic diet)
Buddhism → mixed, but compassion-focused
Sikhism → optional, not mandatory

 

 

 Core Reasons They Gave
Most of these gurus supported vegetarianism because:
Ahimsa (non-violence)
Mental clarity & meditation
Compassion for living beings
Spiritual discipline
 

Swami Vivekananda actually ate beef as an experiment ...long time back I think Hindus ate beef too

Posted
17 minutes ago, straighttalk said:

Swami Vivekananda actually ate beef as an experiment ...long time back I think Hindus ate beef too

He drew a clear line between the nutritional requirements of different lifestyles:

 

For Serious Spiritual Seekers (Sadhakas): He advised avoiding meat, as well as highly exciting or stale foods (like onions, garlic, or decaying food), because a calm, highly focused mind requires the purest, most stable nourishment.

 

 

The High Ideal of Non-Injury (Ahimsa)

Vivekananda fully acknowledged that vegetarianism and non-injury represent the ultimate spiritual ideal. He believed that as a person naturally evolves and reaches higher states of spiritual purity, their desire for meat naturally fades away.  

"The ideal is not to eat flesh, not to injure any being, for all animals are my brothers. If you can think of them as your brothers, you have made a little headway towards the brotherhood of all souls..."

  

He preferred a vegetarian diet himself when it was easily accessible and suited his health. However, he strongly warned against a false sense of spiritual superiority based solely on a diet, pointing out that true spirituality is a matter of the soul, not the stomach.

Posted

Some people understand through below factors  - 

a. Not causing suffering to animals.

b. Meat hinders spiritual progress for most. Leaving non-veg is automatic for most seekers.

c. Meat eaters live 6-9 yrs or 10% less than vegan and vegetarians in USA 

 

Some understand, yet cant give up. others don't/can't understand yet due to their Karma. That seems to be the situation.

Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, randomGuy said:

c. Meat eaters live 6-9 yrs or 10% less than vegan and vegetarians in USA 

Bhai,

We cannot make this conclusion from the references you provided. I already pointed out one glaring flaw in the 7th day adventist study - caloric mismatch. 

 

From a scientific standpoint, it is not correct to use the hypothetical preliminary correlations to prove a point because the paper does not establish causation. All we can say is that - in this particular 7th day adventist population, people reporting vegetarian dietary patterns may have lower mortality. It does not mean that eliminating meat was the cause of the mortality differences, especially because caloric differences were not accounted for.

 

Neither study that you referenced was designed to reach conclusions, but as starting points to generate hypotheses to analyze further.

 

I am sorry to keep harping on this. I respect your vegetarianism (I am one, too). But, as a scientist working in biochemistry, I feel compelled to help explain the science and what it does and does not state. Peace. 

 

 

 

 

Edited by BacktoCricaddict
Posted
50 minutes ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

Bhai,

We cannot make this conclusion from the references you provided. I already pointed out one glaring flaw in the 7th day adventist study - caloric mismatch. 

 

From a scientific standpoint, it is not correct to use the hypothetical preliminary correlations to prove a point because the paper does not establish causation. All we can say is that - in this particular 7th day adventist population, people reporting vegetarian dietary patterns may have lower mortality. It does not mean that eliminating meat was the cause of the mortality differences, especially because caloric differences were not accounted for.

 

Neither study that you referenced was designed to reach conclusions, but as starting points to generate hypotheses to analyze further.

 

I am sorry to keep harping on this. I respect your vegetarianism (I am one, too). But, as a scientist working in biochemistry, I feel compelled to help explain the science and what it does and does not state. Peace. 

 

 

 

 

You are right, actual difference for males is arnd 2.2 yrs.

 

"Vegetarian Adventist Men: Lived 9.5 years longer than the average California male.  

Non-Vegetarian Adventist Men: Lived 7.3 years longer than the average California male

 

The actual, isolated lifetime benefit of dropping meat for a man in this health-conscious environment was roughly 2.2 years. The other 7.3 years of extra life had nothing to do with being vegetarian—it was the baseline reward for not smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy body weight."

 

2.2 years is still significant. Although I think it needs more study.

Posted

https://iai.tv/articles/new-studies-suggest-consciousness-exists-in-organisms-without-brains-auid-3597?_auid=2020

 

Quote

Our brain-focused neuronal system is likely just one evolutionary strategy among many. In fact, our awareness is far less centralized than we assume. Decision-making in humans, for example, is not confined to a single brain region, but distributed across interacting regions and systems. Plants, microbes, and other life forms show that cognition can emerge in radically different organizational forms, and it’s possible that sentience does also. If we can relinquish our assumptions of centralized, neuronal consciousness that must resonate with our own, we might find ways to understand other kinds of mind. This will be the only way we might eventually understand what consciousness is and how it emerges.

 

As our understanding of consciousness, sentience and pain expands, our views on cruelty must evolve beyond animal-cruelty.  

Posted
18 hours ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

https://iai.tv/articles/new-studies-suggest-consciousness-exists-in-organisms-without-brains-auid-3597?_auid=2020

 

 

As our understanding of consciousness, sentience and pain expands, our views on cruelty must evolve beyond animal-cruelty.  

Having thought about this topic earlier as well, i asked AI 'are trees enlightened beings?' interesting response 

 

 

1. The Spiritual Perspective: The Ultimate Zen Masters

In traditions like Buddhism, Taoism, and various indigenous philosophies, trees are often viewed as highly evolved spiritual beings. Think about it:

Pure Presence: A tree doesn't dwell on the past or worry about the future. It exists entirely in the now. Humans spend lifetimes meditating to achieve the stillness a tree possesses naturally.

Radical Acceptance: A tree doesn't resist reality. If it rains, it drinks. If a storm comes, it bends. It practices what Lao Tzu called wu wei (effortless action or flowing with nature).

Unconditional Giving: A tree provides shade, oxygen, and fruit to everyone equally—whether it is a saint or a person with an axe. This boundless, non-judgmental giving is the very definition of compassion (karuna) in Eastern spiritual paths.

It is no coincidence that Gautama Buddha chose to sit under the Bodhi tree to achieve his own enlightenment; the tree was the perfect silent guide.

 

2. The Scientific Perspective: The "Wood Wide Web"

Biologically, we used to think of trees as solitary competitive objects. But groundbreaking ecology has revealed that trees are deeply conscious of their surroundings and incredibly interconnected.

Through underground fungal networks (called mycorrhizal networks), an entire forest acts as a single organic community:

Compassion in Action: Trees use this network to share food and water. If a sister tree is sick or shaded out, the surrounding trees will pump sugars and nutrients through the soil to keep it alive.

Collective Memory: Older "Mother Trees" use these pathways to pass down defensive chemicals and information to younger saplings, helping them survive incoming droughts or pest attacks.

 

The Verdict

If enlightenment means having an intellectual mind that realizes its oneness with the universe, then trees probably don't qualify because they don't think in concepts.

But if enlightenment means living completely free of ego, in perfect harmony with the whole, anchored completely in the present moment, then trees aren't just enlightened—they are the quiet teachers waiting for us to catch up.

Posted
10 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

@Gollum the contrast.. whitepill and blackpill.

 

 

Now, if they are replacing it with a glass of milk, that would be nutritionally equivalent and just fine. The reasoning would still be specious, but at least won't shortchange the kids.

Posted
6 hours ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

 

Now, if they are replacing it with a glass of milk, that would be nutritionally equivalent and just fine. The reasoning would still be specious, but at least won't shortchange the kids.

 

I think in Kar they are giving bananas to vegetarians.

 

Soya could be given too as protein source

Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

 

Now, if they are replacing it with a glass of milk, that would be nutritionally equivalent and just fine. The reasoning would still be specious, but at least won't shortchange the kids.

They are replacing it with uber carbslop with sugar and fried item looks like, poor kids man.

State actually has <2% vegetarians to begin with.  Beyond Sinister 

 

Just malnutrition with more stunting, muscle wastage and prep for diabetes as they grow older

 

 

Edited by Lone Wolf
Posted

After being vegetarian during the covid period 2020 - 2024, I'm back to eating meat. I'm fully myself back now. What a weird period back then. I eat meat at least once a week if not twice and eat 2 eggs daily except Saturdays. @Lone Wolf you are right. except for those doing meditation for liberation, it is not suited for the common man. Its not just the protein. Its also the complete protein profile in meat, zinc, boron and other micronutrients that makes meat a must have from time to time. Developed countries have meat daily and they live longer than Indians. You got to get real. 

Posted
On 4/1/2026 at 3:09 PM, randomGuy said:

Most of us are deeply respect Indian spiritual texts - bhakti yog, raj yog, Gyan yog and Karma yog and our spiritual gurus.

 

While most of them including osho, srila Prabhupada (founder of iskcon) etc. specifically promote vegetarianism, people do not know exactly what Budhha said (quoted below) . Turns out, buddha also promoted vegetarianism

 

 

 

Spirituality makes you a vegetarian/vegan naturally imo. Not a strict rule but directionally as a society for sure.

 

If you respect India spirituality (rather spirituality in general), you should look at vegetarianism with respect and possibly something to strive for.

 

@Lone Wolf @Gollum

 

 

I respect spirituality and vegetarianism. I'm against the fact that usually one makes the case that spirituality only comes from being a vegetarian. I know several vegetarians who are totally not spiritual and some of them have a huge ego that them not eating meat makes them spiritual when they are not. 

 

I respect someone like Prabhupada. His philosophy sounds very honorable but its tough to follow through when basic nutrients that the body needs are not met. Even his followers (mostly foreign) have emaciated looks or become fat, mirroring the state of Indian people. 

 

Even he admits vegetarian food is also "killing" only that this is the food that Krishna likes and the devotee has to offer food to him before eating  

Posted (edited)
16 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

 

I respect spirituality and vegetarianism. I'm against the fact that usually one makes the case that spirituality only comes from being a vegetarian. I know several vegetarians who are totally not spiritual and some of them have a huge ego that them not eating meat makes them spiritual when they are not. 

 

I respect someone like Prabhupada. His philosophy sounds very honorable but its tough to follow through when basic nutrients that the body needs are not met. Even his followers (mostly foreign) have emaciated looks or become fat, mirroring the state of Indian people. 

 

Even he admits vegetarian food is also "killing" only that this is the food that Krishna likes and the devotee has to offer food to him before eating  

1. Vegetarian Indians from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, West UP, Jammu are the strongest in entire South Asia by far. 

 

2. Infact entire asia excluding iran n Central Asia, these vegetarians people are the strongest. Asia is very big, includes east asia, asean, south india. So, i am saying these vegetarians are stronger than 4 billion asians if you exclude only iran n Central Asia.

 

3. In India, easily the strongest, the most aggressive, the bravest. 

 

You should learn about vegetarian diet of North India, it is the healthiest, most delicious, most fulfilling in the world, with most variety. 

Edited by randomGuy
Posted
11 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

After being vegetarian during the covid period 2020 - 2024, I'm back to eating meat. I'm fully myself back now. What a weird period back then. I eat meat at least once a week if not twice and eat 2 eggs daily except Saturdays. @Lone Wolf you are right. except for those doing meditation for liberation, it is not suited for the common man. Its not just the protein. Its also the complete protein profile in meat, zinc, boron and other micronutrients that makes meat a must have from time to time. Developed countries have meat daily and they live longer than Indians. You got to get real. 

I am not against people practicing vegetarianism but they are not morally neither spiritually superior than any other practicing Hindu/Sanatani for that matter that eats non veg.

 

Depriving underprivileged kids of proper nutrition in the name of religion is where I feel we have failed as a society.  That is not normal behaviour 

Posted
2 minutes ago, randomGuy said:

1. Vegetarian Indians from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, West UP, Jammu are the strongest in entire South Asia by far. 

 

2. Infact entire asia excluding iran n Central Asia, these vegetarians peoples are the strongest. Asia is very big, includes east asia, asean, south india. So, these vegetarians are stronger than 4 billion asians if you exclude only iran n Central Asia.

 

3. In India, the strongest very easily. 

 

You should learn about vegetarian diet of North India, it is the healthiest, most delicious, most fulfilling in the world, with most variety. 

Bhai don't make imaginary statistics.  Dogras of Jammu and Himachal are not vegetarian to begin with as well.  Kishtawaris, Bhaderwahis and Pahadis are staunch non vegetarian people.

 

Vegetarian diet & genetics of a JAT of Harayana can't be compared with anyone else from India.  Gujjus eat staunch Vegetarian food even more than an average Haryanvi Jat.

 

 

Anyways as far as height goes Adult males in South Korea average 173-174 cm (5'8"-5'9"), while Chinese men average 172 cm (5'8") and Indian men average 165-167 cm (5'5"-5'6").

 

To exclude Western Asia Central Asia and Iran + Eurasia to suit your logic is laughable.

Posted
18 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

I am not against people practicing vegetarianism but they are not morally neither spiritually superior than any other practicing Hindu/Sanatani for that matter that eats non veg.

 

Depriving underprivileged kids of proper nutrition in the name of religion is where I feel we have failed as a society.  That is not normal behaviour 

 

Absolutely. Children need to have their nutrition needs met. Once they grow up, they can chose what they want to eat or not. Anyway the veg children won't eat eggs but the other children will eat them. Morality based on eating habits comes in opposition to nutritional needs. 

Posted
2 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

 

Absolutely. Children need to have their nutrition needs met. Once they grow up, they can chose what they want to eat or not. Anyway the veg children won't eat eggs but the other children will eat them. Morality based on eating habits comes in opposition to nutritional needs. 

Will Add some lettuce and spinach in there if I become a dictator lol

 

In those 2-3 vegetarian states full on dairy maxxing 

 

Should be a state sponsored policy to kill malnutrition and stunting in kids which Indian kids are now facing.

 

Posted
23 minutes ago, randomGuy said:

1. Vegetarian Indians from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, West UP, Jammu are the strongest in entire South Asia by far. 

 

2. Infact entire asia excluding iran n Central Asia, these vegetarians people are the strongest. Asia is very big, includes east asia, asean, south india. So, i am saying these vegetarians are stronger than 4 billion asians if you exclude only iran n Central Asia.

 

3. In India, easily the strongest, the most aggressive, the bravest. 

 

You should learn about vegetarian diet of North India, it is the healthiest, most delicious, most fulfilling in the world, with most variety. 

 

The so called aggression is based on stregnth in numbers. You are isolating some physicall fit people from these states and saying these state people are strong. Other states people are also strong if you take some buff rural south indian guy and equate him to the nutritional standards of the south. Most of India (including the north) are weak due to the diet. Admit it. 

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