Age Old Debate: Vegetarianism or Nonvegetarianism?
Vegetarianism or
Nonvegetarianism?
This subject has always been a
hot debate globally. Traditionally all societies were meat eaters as animals,
birds, and fish were plentiful. But gradually as the thinking brain developed,
the thinkers developed refined feelings and desisted from harming other living
beings. They also felt that becoming vegetarians led to calming of passions and
thus better thinking abilities.
Vegetarianism thus attracted
attention and a section of the population adopted it. Many religions suggested
it as a moral and ethical lifestyle for those who seek to find meaning in life.
In India vegetarianism is
suggested in the Manusmriti and the Vedas but is nowhere mandated. It is
recommended for those who respond to a higher calling. The Mahabharata too is
replete with such suggestions.
But vegetarianism does not
appeal to a large section of the population who prefer to eat meat and fish.
Food is food. Meat, eggs and fish are nutritious and tasty. Once you get
accustomed it is not easy to get over it. There are also nomadic and tribal
populations for whom it is an important and indispensable part of food.
We observe that the healing
systems of India recommend non vegetarian food. Bone broth is supposed to be an
elixir for various kinds of post disease convalescence and general weakness.
It is thought that brahmins are
non vegetarians but not all sects are. Many brahmins have no qualms about
having non vegetarian food. The reckless killing of life forms for food led to
soul searching and communities like Jains and Buddha and his followers became
strict vegetarians. But Buddhists from outside India do take non veg food.
Vegetarianism became popular for
various reasons. People started disliking animal sacrifice and developed distaste
for meat; but more than that the increase of sickness in society and the fall
in digestive powers made people conscious of their diet. Meat and milk
allergies have forced many to become vegetarians and even vegans.
There is another reason. The
commercial use of animals and birds has led to overmedication. The use of
hormones, antibiotics, steroids, and vaccination has poisoned the entire non
vegetarian food chain and those health conscious are staying away from
consuming the products. For that matter even plant based food is poisoned by pesticides,
hormones, and coloring material. One needs to go for organic produce.
Then we come to a category for
whom spiritual practices matter a lot. They tend to worry about purity of body
and mind. It is when the body and mind are pure that the spiritual quest tends
to spontaneously grip a person. These people do not consume non vegetarian food
because it can disturb both body and mind.
Human beings are 90% microbes.
It is these microbes that determine many of our moods, emotions and also our
tastes and preferences. The variety and growth of these microbes depend on our
food intake.
If we take non veg food,
microbes that thrive on such food increase in number. These microbes then seek
their preferred food driving us for more of such food. We get into the habit
and cannot think of any other diet. People who become accustomed to vegetarian
food are likewise attracted towards such food and develop distaste for non
vegetarian food.
Even non vegetarians if they
restrict themselves find that over a period of time their craze for non
vegetarian food diminishes. This is because of the changed microbiome that
adjusts to the circumstances. Then they either restrict or give it up. Many
give up non veg food as they step into old age.
People in cold countries will be
attracted to non vegetarian food while people in warmer countries may avoid it.
While vegetarian food becomes
essential for some functions, it will not suit those accustomed to physical
activities more than mental acrobatics. Warriors cannot do without meat
protein.
It was for this reason that
Buddhism slowly fell out of favor of the Indian rulers. They felt that
vegetarianism was hampering the virility of the population in general and
warriors in particular. The Bhakti movement also was similarly detested.
For those who have an idea of
holistic health systems, vegetarianism appeals because the body finds it easier
to digest vegetarian food, it leads to less waste accumulation, and induces
less toxicity. These factors being the hallmark of disease, vegetarianism
becomes a smart choice. Non veg food can tax the digestive system and the
residue can fester in the intestines leading to sluggishness and irritation.
In ayurveda the excess of vata
and pitta call for a vegetarian diet to counter. Those with digestive
disorders, negative mentality, skin disorders improve on a vegetarian diet. Naturopaths
recommend a vegetarian and often a fruitarian diet.
One should also keep in mind
that injecting medical products containing cells and serum into the body is the
worst practice of non vegetarianism whose impacts are much greater and chances
of detoxification small. And of course the coming "plant based meat";
avoid it like the plague.
We can come to the conclusion
that both vegetarianism and non vegetarianism are choices that attract
different sections of people for different reasons. It is best left to the
people to exercise their choice according to circumstances. We can merely be
suppliers of information they seek.
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