Vegetarianism

[AbuQuteiba]

Yes plants do have life and they do have souls. All living creatures have souls (according to Hindu texts). Plants have life because they grow and need sunlight, water, air etc to live. We don't really need science to prove that they have life because we can see plants growing over a period of time. Champion I know you want me to believe that plants can feel pain but I just can't. They just don't have a brain capable of analyzing pain signals.

You believe plants do have souls (according to Hindu texts)?? Thats not what other Hindu's have said on this forum. If they have both life, and souls, then why is it ok for you to eat them? No, we do need science to prove that plants have souls. Even fruits and vegetables grow over a period of time. Does that mean they have life? I don't want to make you believe anything really. I'm just giving you the facts.

 

[Hema]

You believe plants do have souls (according to Hindu texts)?? Thats not what other Hindu's have said on this forum. If they have both life, and souls, then why is it ok for you to eat them? No, we do need science to prove that plants have souls. Even fruits and vegetables grow over a period of time. Does that mean they have life? I don't want to make you believe anything really. I'm just giving you the facts.

Yes, Hindus believe that plants have life and souls. For example, in Bhagvad Gita, according to the law of karma, if we perform deeds which go against the grain of proper human conduct, we can reincarnate into a lower life form. For example, in Bhagvad Gita, it is stated that if someone likes to pose naked (e.g. as in pornography), he/she can be reborn as a tree. A tree just sits there, exposed. You see it’s the same soul taking rebirth as a plant. In Hinduism, the main concept behind not eating animals is Ahimsa. As Hindus, Ahimsa or non-violence is our highest duty. This does not mean that we cannot stand up in self defense as the Lord did when he manifested as Shri Ram in the Holy Ramayan and his wife, Mother Sita was kidnapped. So, because of the pain that animals feel when they die, they are not eaten because it generates negative karma. You asked why we eat plants if they have souls. Yes, a life is being taken but when the food (vegetarian food) is offered to God first, there is no negative karma arising from this. I believe that all living things have life because all life comes from God. As for fruits and vegetables having souls, no I don't think so, I think it is the plant they grow from which has the soul.
On a separate note, you said a few posts back that you don’t know why Muslims don’t eat swine. I saw a program on TV about Eid-ul-Fitr and a Muslim lady was saying that there is something in their meat which is injurious to health. (She didn’t say this but I have heard that there is a worm in pork which never dies, no matter how well you cook the meat. Yucky right?) The lady also gave another reason as being that pigs eat filth. Pork is Haram or forbidden food.
By the way, belated Eid Mubarak!