Hinduism also largely advocates vegetarianism, much like Buddhism. Animals are seen as sacred beings, with some animals even seen as Gods and Goddesses. In addition, these animals are respected as they aid humans in daily life, such as for agriculture or transport. Therefore, in general, it is wrong to impose any sort of harm against animals, which is why Hindus are mostly vegetarian. Much like Buddhism, even if they are not strict vegetarians, it is common to be vegetarian on religious days or periods – such as Pongal or Thaipusam.

Image by nurabooo from Pixabay

However, there is also another side to Hinduism, where certain Hindu Gods are known to consume meat. For instance, the Goddess Kali is the destroyer of demons and is even known to drink the blood of the demons after killing them. Hence, the believers who worship Kali are typically not vegetarian, though they would still be vegetarian on certain days depending on the religious occasion.

Image by Prasad Ganapule from Pixabay, showing the Nandi Temple in Mysore, India, which is dedicated to Nandi, a sacred bull in Hinduism. It contains a massive statue of the religious bull.

Nevertheless, the strictest dietary rule in Hinduism would be the prohibition of consuming beef. Cows and bulls are known to be the most sacred animals in Hinduism, as they are seen as divine and even as a friend. Hence, Hinduism does have both sides of the story with regards to killing animals for food, but it is clear that vegetarianism is greatly advocated. The reasons behind vegetarianism could hence contribute to developing a sense of care and concern for animals and wildlife in the people who practice the religion.

Now that we know more about how the diets of the different religions influence how man perceives the lives of animals and wildlife, let us take a look at another practice in relation to the lives of animals – animal sacrifice. Click here to continue to the page.