Many people think about this question in their life time at least once, if not more. Some feel pity for the animals killed and their condition in farms, some are worried if their religion permits it, and others wonder if its good for their health. So, lets find out the answer to this dilemma.
Is Eating Meat a Sin/Evil?
There is no religion in this world that makes eating meat mandatory. Still, majority of them don’t prohibit eating meat either.
All religions encourage humans to be compassionate to animals. But some of them also mention the way to slaughter an animal and prepare it.
So, its all very confusing.
Judaism, Islam and Christianity allows for eating several animals and prohibit the consumption of a few (haram) as they could be bad for health. It also gives instructions on how they must be slaughtered (Halal) and prepared.
Sikhism: Sikhism doesn’t mandate a vegetarian or meat diet and allows for both, with some followers having specific preferences like consuming jhatka meat.
Jainism: Jains follow a vegetarian diet, strictly avoiding meat, seafood and eggs. It excludes root and underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion, etc., to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms in the soil. Other vegetables that have a higher chance of containing small insects/organisms such as cauliflower, eggplant, mushroom and broccoli are also not consumed. All of it is based on the principle of non-violence (ahimsa).
So, Jains eat whatever is not mentioned above. However, if they apply the principle of eating what does not harm insects, animals, and micro organisms then its impossible to have any vegetable on their table. For example, they will need to avoid eating all grains and vegetables as when these grains are sowed, and soil is ploughed, a lot of insects, earthworms, rats, and snakes get killed. Insecticide is sprayed on all crops to kill insects and micro-organisms. So, what is left to eat!
Buddhism: Buddhist diet is not a strict set of rules, but rather a flexible approach to eating based on principles of non-harming and mindfulness. Many Buddhists choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, aligning with the concept of ahimsa (non-violence) and minimizing harm to living beings. However, many Buddhists do consume meat, because Buddhism allows eating meat if the animal wasn’t specifically killed for you. This basically means that Buddhists can eat the packed meat sold in super markets which is surely not killed specifically for you. Hence we see most Buddhist consuming meat today.
Hinduism: Within Hinduism, there are sects: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism.
Vaishnavism advocates for strict vegetarian diet and prohibits eating meat, eggs, and even onion, garlic and alcohol because its Tamasic in nature. Many new age gurus have started associating ethical and non violence reasoning with it but as far as my knowledge of Vedic era texts is concerned, the main reason of avoiding these foods is their tamasic nature.
Shaivism Tantric traditions within Shaivism, especially in certain regions, have been associated with animal sacrifice. Aghoris specifically are known to eat burned human carcasses. Kashmiri Hindus (Pandits) traditionally cook and consume non-vegetarian food, including fish and mutton, as a sacred part of their Maha Shivratri celebrations, known locally as Herath. So, eating meat is not a taboo in Shaivism, even though its in decline due to the influence of Vaishnavism and and evolving ethical perspectives. PETA
In Shaktism animal sacrifice is practiced as a form of worship, particularly to honor the fierce goddesses like Kali and Durga. It has been stopped in several temples but there are still many, like the famous Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam where it is still in practice. Unlike Navratri practices in other parts of India, Bengali Shakta traditions involve offering non-vegetarian food (fish, mutton) as “prasad”.
Therefore in Hinduism, two sects allow eating meat but one is against it. Collectively, we can say that Hinduism allows for eating non veg food and informs you about its after effects and leaves the final choice up to you.
To understand better read: Rajogun, Tamogun & Sattvagun
My Perspective as a Hindu
According to Sanatana Dharma, Prakriti is Made of Maya or Mahamaya, which has three characterstics/qualities or Guna. These are Rajasic, Satvik, and Tamsic.
Brahma along with its consort Sarasvati have accepted Rajas Guna and the food they like has stimulating qualities, often with strong flavors, spices, or sweet, and rich textures. This food along with the consort Saraswati who is the goddess of wisdom, arts, etc, help Brahma in creation.
Narayana along with its consort Lakshmi have accepted Satva Guna and the food they like is fruits, vegetables, and simple but freshly cooked mild flavored food. This food along with consort Lakshmi who is the goddess of wealth and dharma helps Vishnu in nurturing life and maintaining it.
Shiva along with its consort Kali have accepted Tamo Guna and the food they like is Marijuana, Meat, and fermented food & beverages. This tamsic food along with the fierce form of goddess kali/durga help Shiva in destruction which is the main job of Shiva.
(All these gods, goddesses, and devta are tattva roop and not like humans as depicted in pictures or sculptures.)
Now, if your job is to fight wars and kill opponent soldiers, Tamsic food is for you. However, this power and aggression does not just stay in the war field but becomes your personality and affects your family and friends.
Similarly, if you are looking to meditate and find peace in life, satvik food is for you. As a sattva guni your activity level is low but stays in harmony with your desires which are even more lower. You prefer a simple living. But society (in Kalyuga) does not see sense in such a conduct and asks sattva guni person to change. So, they usually isolate themselves.
If you are looking to create a new business or if you are a scientist, you would need rajasic, lavish food to make business deals or stimulants like coffee to concentrate and work long hours.
So, if you eat food that matches your job profile and your lifestyle and your life purpose, then its all good. You will achieve what you want. For example:
If you want to take revenge from some one or fight someone? Eat tamsic food and get along with tamsic people and grow stronger and acquire what you need, and you will have higher chances of sticking to your aim of revenge and maybe take the revenge successfully. However, if a person aiming for revenge starts eating satvik food, gradually, he may forgive and leave the justice to god/nature and move on.
So you get my point?
As far as cruelty part is concerned, don’t worry about it. You can not kill anyone without Prakriti’s consent. We all know that a chicken born in chicken farm will have a short and pathetic life. Nature/god know it even better; as it decided for some atman to be born as a chicken in the chicken farm and go through all the trouble. So, killing for food is not the thing to worry about. As explained earlier, even farming veggies causes death of insects. Frying or baking a fermented bread dough also causes death of several lives/yeast/bacteria.
Just care about what food you eat and what it will do to you. Will it make you more strong, aggressive, and argumentative? Or will it make you calm, and peaceful. Or will it help your creativity? That’s all.
As they say in Buddhism, the food you get in your plate must always be respected. If you are in a dessert or a cold region, non veg food is often the only choice. Have it and thank the prakriti or god for providing you food. A carrot or chicken may have lost its life in the process, don’t be depressed about it. That’s how the food cycle works.
In the end its your choice. Eat what you like and stop judging others. Vaishnav Saints, organizations like PETA, or the Pujaris at Kali Temples should only care about their own business and stop putting others down for their way of worship or eating habits. Let the prakriti or omni-will be the judge.
Do I eat non-vegetarian food? – No, I & my wife stopped eating eggs and meat from the year 2023. However, we continue to consume cow’s milk and its products. One of my 2 kids continues to eat meat, though not very often.
Will I eat meat in future? I plan to stay a vegetarian for life. However, because the life is so unpredictable, you can never be 100% sure. Who Knows!