How the Jains built a culture of respect for nonhuman animals

The Evolution

In 1944, Donald Watson founded the Vegan Society in the UK, introducing the term “vegan” by combining the first and last letters of “vegetarian” and adding a “-gan” suffix. This marked a significant milestone in the history of dietary choices. The concept gained traction in the mid-20th century as society became increasingly conscious of the environmental, ethical, and health ramifications associated with consuming animal products.

The Origin

As we delve into the history and principles of veganism, it becomes evident that this philosophy is not a recent development but rather one deeply rooted in human history. While the term “vegan” was coined in the 20th century, the core values of compassion towards animals and the recognition of health benefits have ancient origins. In fact, ancient Indian societies embraced these principles long before the modern vegan movement emerged.

Who are the Jains?

Among these societies, Jainism stands out as a prime example. Jainism is a religion that originated in 599 BCE and is based on the principle of non-violence. Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, set the Five Great Vows, the first of which is Ahimsa, meaning “non-violence.” Ahimsa prohibits killing or destroying life out of anger or wrath, pride, greed, ignorance, and for a sense of pleasure. The rule of Ahimsa not only prohibits the slaughter of animals for food, but also the consumption of already dead animals, stating that it will lead to the “annihilation of many genuses of masses of Jivas (sentient beings).”

The Beliefs

Jainism mandated that followers walk, eat, and live without hurting other living beings. They didn’t advocate for being considerate only to people who share the same philosophy as they do, or only to fellow countrymen, or only to human beings around the globe, but to all other sentient beings. Looking into the life of Tirthankaras, the spiritual leader of Jainism and the 10 fundamental rules (10 Mahavratas) formulated by them, it is hard to deny that empathy and kindness were core values of Jainism.

Swami Ramkrishna Paramhans, the teacher of Swami Vivekananda, once said, “A man belches what he eats. If he eats radish, he belches radish”. The people believed that Jainism is a religion of empathy and compassion and that the sattvic diet (a purely plant based diet) contributed by helping the Jains maintain a good physique and rise above the realm of ignorance and greed, thinking about all sentient beings.

Evolution of food from Ayurveda

The Vedas are the four sacred Hindu texts, the word “Veda” being derived from the Sanskrit root “vid,” meaning “knowledge” or “wisdom.” These texts are believed to have been revealed to seers and sages through deep meditation and are considered to be of divine origin. The Vedas were composed in ancient India, primarily between 1700 BCE and 500 BCE, although the exact dates of their composition are debated. They were passed down orally for generations before being eventually written down in Sanskrit. The Vedas are written in a highly structured poetic form and are considered sacred by Hindu. The teachings from the Vedas were passed down from generations to generations in ancient Indian Universities and Gurukuls (boarding schools or universities where Monks/Gurus delivered academic, spiritual and life lessons to scholars). The Ayurvedic science, or Ayurveda, is believed to be derived from the sacred Hindu texts, Vedas.

The word “Ayurveda” is derived from the Sanskrit words “ayus,” meaning life, and “veda,” meaning knowledge or science. Therefore, Ayurveda can be understood as the “science of life” or the “knowledge of life.” Ayurvedic science, often referred to as Ayurveda, is a traditional holistic healing system that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It is considered one of the oldest medical systems in the world. Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and well-being depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit.

The emergence of Ayurvedic science from the Vedas significantly impacted the food philosophy of numerous Indian religions, attributing certain qualities (gunas) to food that directly influence the state of mind. Food was revered not merely as a source of sustenance but as a powerful contributor to one’s mental well-being. Incorporating natural yogic health standards, deeply intertwined with the Hindu ethos, profoundly influenced the dietary practices of followers of Jainism and Buddhism.
Chandogya Upanishad is a sacred Hindu text which covers various metaphysical, spiritual, and philosophical topics, including the nature of reality, the self (Atman), the nature of Brahman (the supreme reality), and the relationship between the individual soul and the universal consciousness.

Within the Chandogya Upanishad (6.6) Ayurvedic science delineates food into three parts: the gross particles that become waste, the middling elements assimilated by the human body, and the intangible components (gunas) that contribute to the state of mind. The gunas being derived from Ayurvedic science manifests in 3 forms: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.

The Sattvic Diet

The sattvic diet, abundant in purity and goodness, belongs to the realm of Sattva guna. It harmonizes the mind with thoughts and emotions of a similar nature. Consequently, ancient religions that extolled compassion and purity advocated for the sattvic diet, acknowledging the profound connection between food and the mind. They firmly believed in the axiom, “As is the food, so is the mind.” A vegetarian sattvic diet was not only instructed for its health benefits or out of compassion for other species but to enable followers to show compassion. Conversely, the tamasic and rajasic diets, aligned with Tamas and Rajas gunas respectively, such as non-vegetarian fare or excessive spices and condiments, were believed to influence the mind towards inertia, aggression, violence, and anger.

Food, therefore, was not solely essential for physical well-being but for fostering a tranquil and composed mind. Sages and monks diligently adhered to the sattvic diet to cultivate a state of inner serenity and compassion. The sattvic diet was deemed instrumental in acquiring humanitarian qualities and making enlightened choices. Within the Atharva Veda dating back to 1700 BCE, we encounter this verse:

“Sooyavasaad bhagavati hee bhooya
Adha vayum bhagavantaha syaam
Addhi turnamaghnye vishwadaanim
Peeba suddhamudakamaacharanti” (9.15.20)

This verse underscores the importance of sattvic diet for a tranquil state of mind and how the consumption of sattvic diet will enable us to perform sattvic (pure and good) actions which will be beneficial for everyone. It also serves as a poignant reminder to individuals to be mindful of their dietary choices and recognize the transformative potential of a sattvic diet in fostering physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. This is the first ever record mentioning a plant-based diet in human history.

This perspective elucidates why ancient religions, such as Buddhism and Jainism, which championed ahimsa (non-violence), embraced the sattvic diet. It was not solely intended to abstain from animal cruelty but to enable individuals to make compassionate decisions. Individuals embraced this diet for upliftment of the state of mind to harmony and tranquillity which resulted in them being able to contribute to society and exhibit heightened empathy and humanity.

Analysis

In the present day, the promotion of vegetarianism and veganism primarily revolves around the objective of preventing animal cruelty. However, there seems to be a shift in people’s motivations, as individuals appear to be more inclined towards self-interest rather than acting for the benefit of others. This shift in motivation could be a contributing factor to the flourishing of many ancient religions that espoused the sattvic diet, the earliest known plant-based diet which revolved around a personal interest in harmony and calm-mind. In contrast to ethical frameworks that prioritize rules or consequences, the sattvic diet, aligned with virtue ethics, places utmost emphasis on the cultivation of virtuous habits and moral character. It beckons individuals to strive for a morally fulfilling life through the development of noble qualities.

To a significant extent, the ancient sattvic religions achieved this aspiration. Today, we witness a population of billions in India, guided by laws deeply rooted in the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism, validating the enduring legacy of these philosophies.