Are meat and bhaang disallowed in Dharmic religion?

[ronki23]

Why do some Hindus sacrifice animals if the Vedas say you should be vegetarian? It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice. I even read Saraswati is given calf and Nepalis kill bison and buffalo.

Only 25% of India is vegetarian when over 80% is Hindu. That obviously means not all Hindus are vegetarian. The Chinese, Far East and South East Asians all eat every kind of meat (even dogs and insects but not cats) even though Buddhism promotes ahimsa.

According to Wikipedia, Sikhs serve Maha Prasad during Holla Mohalla which is normally goat meat. It also said Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh were hunters and they themselves ate meat. Where does it say Sikhs should be vegetarian and if vegetarian is not a necessity, why so many vegetarian Sikhs?

Why do Nihang Sikhs drink bhaang if drugs are disallowed?

 

[SomeRandom]

Why do some Hindus sacrifice animals if the Vedas say you should be vegetarian? It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice. I even read Saraswati is given calf and Nepalis kill bison and buffalo.

Umm, I think that was prohibited by later Puranas actually. I have a vague feeling that it was a thing in Vedic times, at least among certain groups. But the timeline for me is a bit fuzzy so.
Animal sacrifice is a very ancient thing. Though I do not personally condone it. It seems to be strongly associated with Kali "cults" which are pretty freaking old. So I'd be very surprised if animal sacrifice was a legitimately new addition. Relatively speaking, of course.
Kali also seems to take offerings of alcohol! At least according to the "left handers" so to speak. I don't know how "Vedic" Tantra paths are though.

Why do Nihang Sikhs drink bhaang if drugs are disallowed?

Same reason there are Catholics and Christians I suppose. Differing interpretations often branch off into various places.
Bhang is often used for meditation purposes among certain (often fringe) sects of various Dharmic adherents. I know there are some Saivas (not all or even a large amount) who partake in such a practice. Though I think it's usually through smoking.
I've also heard stories about some crazy shenanigans of various Buddhist Monks.

Indeed I've had to imbibe Kava a fair few times at certain Temple events. Which is nothing more than tribal anesthetic or "jungle juice." Honestly Bhang sounds much more appealing at least.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why do some Hindus sacrifice animals if the Vedas say you should be vegetarian? It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice. I even read Saraswati is given calf and Nepalis kill bison and buffalo.

Only 25% of India is vegetarian when over 80% is Hindu. That obviously means not all Hindus are vegetarian. The Chinese, Far East and South East Asians all eat every kind of meat (even dogs and insects but not cats) even though Buddhism promotes ahimsa.

According to Wikipedia, Sikhs serve Maha Prasad during Holla Mohalla which is normally goat meat. It also said Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh were hunters and they themselves ate meat. Where does it say Sikhs should be vegetarian and if vegetarian is not a necessity, why so many vegetarian Sikhs?

Why do Nihang Sikhs drink bhaang if drugs are disallowed?

Vedas do not make it compulsory for all to be vegetarian. Ancient Aryans were non-vegetarians. If the flesh of the sacrifice is eaten later, then it is no different from butchering animal for food. Yes, some Hindus do make animal sacrifices to their deities. They are welcome to continue the practice till the time they may want a change. I will not vouch for your statistics, but yes, IMHO more than half the Hindus are non-vegetarians.

I am not a Sikh, so my comments should be taken as from someone who has some knowledge of Sikhism but not whole. I do not think any Sikh gurus may ever have participated in a hunt for pleasure, but yes, meat-eating is not prohibited in Sikhism. If a Sikh is vegetarian, that is his/her choice; and that is commendable. I think 'Amritdharis' are vegetarian.

Nihangs and Hindu Sadhus traditionally use intoxicants like bhang, ganja, charas; though liquor is prohibited. Some think that it helps them in their 'sadhana', though I will differ on this point.

 

[Vinayaka]

Why do some Hindus sacrifice animals if the Vedas say you should be vegetarian? It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice. I even read Saraswati is given calf and Nepalis kill bison and buffalo.

Only 25% of India is vegetarian when over 80% is Hindu. That obviously means not all Hindus are vegetarian. The Chinese, Far East and South East Asians all eat every kind of meat (even dogs and insects but not cats) even though Buddhism promotes ahimsa.

According to Wikipedia, Sikhs serve Maha Prasad during Holla Mohalla which is normally goat meat. It also said Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh were hunters and they themselves ate meat. Where does it say Sikhs should be vegetarian and if vegetarian is not a necessity, why so many vegetarian Sikhs?

Why do Nihang Sikhs drink bhaang if drugs are disallowed?

In the dharmic paradigm, not much is compulsory or dictated. Within individual sects, or groups, perhaps it is a requirement for membership. The few Sikhs I know are a mix. Some are vegetarian for non-religious reasons like for their health.

As fot the last question, both 'bhaang' and 'drugs' have differing meanings.

 

[ronki23]

In the dharmic paradigm, not much is compulsory or dictated. Within individual sects, or groups, perhaps it is a requirement for membership. The few Sikhs I know are a mix. Some are vegetarian for non-religious reasons like for their health.

As fot the last question, both 'bhaang' and 'drugs' have differing meanings.

Umm, I think that was prohibited by later Puranas actually. I have a vague feeling that it was a thing in Vedic times, at least among certain groups. But the timeline for me is a bit fuzzy so.
Animal sacrifice is a very ancient thing. Though I do not personally condone it. It seems to be strongly associated with Kali "cults" which are pretty freaking old. So I'd be very surprised if animal sacrifice was a legitimately new addition. Relatively speaking, of course.
Kali also seems to take offerings of alcohol! At least according to the "left handers" so to speak. I don't know how "Vedic" Tantra paths are though.



Same reason there are Catholics and Christians I suppose. Differing interpretations often branch off into various places.
Bhang is often used for meditation purposes among certain (often fringe) sects of various Dharmic adherents. I know there are some Saivas (not all or even a large amount) who partake in such a practice. Though I think it's usually through smoking.
I've also heard stories about some crazy shenanigans of various Buddhist Monks.

Indeed I've had to imbibe Kava a fair few times at certain Temple events. Which is nothing more than tribal anesthetic or "jungle juice." Honestly Bhang sounds much more appealing at least.

Vedas do not make it compulsory for all to be vegetarian. Ancient Aryans were non-vegetarians. If the flesh of the sacrifice is eaten later, then it is no different from butchering animal for food. Yes, some Hindus do make animal sacrifices to their deities. They are welcome to continue the practice till the time they may want a change. I will not vouch for your statistics, but yes, IMHO more than half the Hindus are non-vegetarians.

I am not a Sikh, so my comments should be taken as from someone who has some knowledge of Sikhism but not whole. I do not think any Sikh gurus may ever have participated in a hunt for pleasure, but yes, meat-eating is not prohibited in Sikhism. If a Sikh is vegetarian, that is his/her choice; and that is commendable. I think 'Amritdharis' are vegetarian.

Nihangs and Hindu Sadhus traditionally use intoxicants like bhang, ganja, charas; though liquor is prohibited. Some think that it helps them in their 'sadhana', though I will differ on this point.

Vedas do not make it compulsory for all to be vegetarian. Ancient Aryans were non-vegetarians. If the flesh of the sacrifice is eaten later, then it is no different from butchering animal for food. Yes, some Hindus do make animal sacrifices to their deities. They are welcome to continue the practice till the time they may want a change. I will not vouch for your statistics, but yes, IMHO more than half the Hindus are non-vegetarians.

I am not a Sikh, so my comments should be taken as from someone who has some knowledge of Sikhism but not whole. I do not think any Sikh gurus may ever have participated in a hunt for pleasure, but yes, meat-eating is not prohibited in Sikhism. If a Sikh is vegetarian, that is his/her choice; and that is commendable. I think 'Amritdharis' are vegetarian.

Nihangs and Hindu Sadhus traditionally use intoxicants like bhang, ganja, charas; though liquor is prohibited. Some think that it helps them in their 'sadhana', though I will differ on this point.

I thought the Vedas didn't prohibit meat for personal consumption eating but instead promoted vegetarianism? I thought animal sacrifice was a complete no-no though.

If the scriptures say you shouldn't sacrifice animals or eat Bovine, why are so many buffalo and bison killed in Nepal and why are animals sacrificed in certain states of India? These people are going against the scripture.

The same applies for Sikhs; they serve maha-prasad during Holla when Sikhs believe everyone should be entitled to langar so why make this distinction? At the same time, why are there so many vegetarian Sikhs and bhaang drinkers when the Guru Granth Sahib says no to drugs and alcohol? If you say vegetarianism is a choice, then why so many vegetarian Sikhs compared to vegetarian Christians/Jews/Muslims??

As for Buddhism, Koreans eat dogs, South East Asians eat insects, and Chinese people " eat everything with four legs except a table, anything that flies except a plane and anything that swims except a boat". These are supposed to be Buddhist people

 

[SomeRandom]

I thought the Vedas didn't prohibit meat for personal consumption eating but instead promoted vegetarianism? I thought animal sacrifice was a complete no-no though.

If the scriptures say you shouldn't sacrifice animals or eat Bovine, why are so many buffalo and bison killed in Nepal and why are animals sacrificed in certain states of India? These people are going against the scripture.

The same applies for Sikhs; they serve maha-prasad during Holla when Sikhs believe everyone should be entitled to langar so why make this distinction? At the same time, why are there so many vegetarian Sikhs and bhaang drinkers when the Guru Granth Sahib says no to drugs and alcohol? If you say vegetarianism is a choice, then why so many vegetarian Sikhs compared to vegetarian Christians/Jews/Muslims??

As for Buddhism, Koreans eat dogs, South East Asians eat insects, and Chinese people " eat everything with four legs except a table, anything that flies except a plane and anything that swims except a boat". These are supposed to be Buddhist people

Because not every Hindu has the same interpretation of scripture or even has their own?

 

[ajay0]

Why do some Hindus sacrifice animals if the Vedas say you should be vegetarian? It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice. I even read Saraswati is given calf and Nepalis kill bison and buffalo.

Only 25% of India is vegetarian when over 80% is Hindu.

Vegetarianism is extolled for reasons of ahimsa or non-violence . Fresh vegetarian food is also considered rich in prana and sattvic, and hence ideal for creating a calm mind.

As a saying in the Bhagavad Gita goes...

Yoga is equanimity of mind.

Non-vegetarian food is rajasic and creates desires and tendency for action. It naturally results in a restless mind and hence is not ideal for meditation. Thus vegetarian food is extolled in Hinduism.

You can experiment yourself with vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and see whether you become calmer or more restless in the process.

Similarly practice of brahmacharya or celibacy is easier if you take vegetarian food as opposed to non-vegetarian food.

Calmness is beneficial in terms of clear thinking and better decision making as one is not subject to the vacillations of a turbulent mind full of desires and cravings/aversions.

 

[Rinchen]

The Buddha did not prohibit the eating of meat as long as the meat wasn't killed for you personally. When Devadatta caused a schism within the Sangha, he said all monks should be vegetarian. When the schism was fixed, the Buddha said if monks wanted to be vegetarian they can, but it isn't a requirement.

Today, though, great Masters such as Chatral Rinpoche and the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa advocate a vegetarian diet. I know of at least one Drikung Kagyu Master who is vegetarian as well.

 

[Treks]

The only restriction to Sikh diet is that amritdhari Sikhs can't eat meat slaughtered in the Muslim way (ref Sikh Rehat Maryada section on Amrit Sanchar).

I don't know why so many Sikhs are vegetarians.

I'm not aware of SGGSJ explicitly prohibiting alcohol or drugs. Nihang Sikhs have a tradition of using bhang; I understand initially it was used as pain relief during war.

Langar must be vegetarian so (most?) Hindus and Muslims can eat it. I don't know about the hola mollah food.

 

[Stormcry]

It is a sin to give animals as sacrifice

I think Bhagavad Geeta is pretty clear on this subject.

"The food preferred by all
Is also of three types.
So are the sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
Now hear the distinction between them."

 

[Stormcry]

The Buddha did not prohibit the eating of meat as long as the meat wasn't killed for you personally.

If this is true, the whole idea of Ahimsa of Buddhism becomes farce.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I don't know about the hola mollah food.

Treks, spelling.
Hola Mohalla.

 

[Aupmanyav]

If this is true, the whole idea of Ahimsa of Buddhism becomes farce.

How come? Can a cooked animal be revived? And what about the millions of life forms that are killed by us involuntarily and in our body. Is vegetation not living? Read the story of Dharmavyadha in Srimad Bhagawatham. Buddha was practical and followed the middle path.

 

[Treks]

Treks, spelling.
Hola Mohalla.

It's Holaa Mahallaa if you want to transliterate it strictly from the Gurmukhi.

 

[Stormcry]

Buddha was practical and followed the middle path.

I guess that middle path is not a hypocrisy. Anyway, in Hinduism, Buddha's role was to influence and delude people and this makes sense seeing that most of Buddhists eat meat and think there are no gods

 

[LuisDantas]

I guess that middle path is not a hypocrisy. Anyway, in Hinduism, Buddha's role was to influence and delude people and this makes sense seeing that most of Buddhists eat meat and think there are no gods

Uh, what?

I can only assume your understandings of Dharma and specifically of Buddhism are very much at odds with mine.

 

[LuisDantas]

Forbiddance is not usually very compatible with Dharma, it seems to me.

Forbidding people denies people a way out of their adharma. It is far better to accept the reality of each one as it is now while also encouraging and teaching ways out of it.

 

[ronki23]

The only restriction to Sikh diet is that amritdhari Sikhs can't eat meat slaughtered in the Muslim way (ref Sikh Rehat Maryada section on Amrit Sanchar).

I don't know why so many Sikhs are vegetarians.

I'm not aware of SGGSJ explicitly prohibiting alcohol or drugs. Nihang Sikhs have a tradition of using bhang; I understand initially it was used as pain relief during war.

Langar must be vegetarian so (most?) Hindus and Muslims can eat it. I don't know about the hola mollah food.

Intoxicants are prohibited in Sikhism; I don't understand why Nihangs drink bhaang

Apparently Sikhs SHOULD be vegetarian. The Gurus only hunted because these animals were terrorizing villages and killing people

 

[ronki23]

I guess that middle path is not a hypocrisy. Anyway, in Hinduism, Buddha's role was to influence and delude people and this makes sense seeing that most of Buddhists eat meat and think there are no gods

Uh, what?

I can only assume your understandings of Dharma and specifically of Buddhism are very much at odds with mine.

Buddha was an Avatar of Vishnu but I think this wasn't an accepted theory until after the Hindus reclaimed India from the Buddhists. While I do believe Buddha was an avatar, I don't understand how because Hindus believe in Kalki Avatar yet Buddha said he is the final avatar (I think Jesus was Kalki). @Aupmanyav ???

 

[LuisDantas]

Buddha was an Avatar of Vishnu but I think this wasn't an accepted theory until after the Hindus reclaimed India from the Buddhists.

Which is to say, it is a Hindu view, not a Buddhist one.

While I do believe Buddha was an avatar, I don't understand how because Hindus believe in Kalki Avatar yet Buddha said he is the final avatar (I think Jesus was Kalki). @Aupmanyav ???

Buddha did not say such a thing, at least not in the Buddhist tradition that I know of.