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Faithandfood Fact
Files – Hinduism
"Having
well considered the origin of flesh-foods, and
the cruelty of fettering and slaying corporeal
beings, let man entirely abstain from eating flesh.”
The Manu-smrti (5.49)
The Faithandfood Fact
File bookmarks are the same for each religion.
Compare this religion with the dietary beliefs
of another faith by clicking on the name of the
religion on the toolbar on the left.
Which
ingredients are forbidden?
Although some Hindus may
occasionally eat meat, almost all avoid beef.
In addition, strict practitioners
also abstain from:
GarlicOnions Mushrooms that Any alcoholTea and coffee (obtaining
caffeine)
What
are the main laws or beliefs relating to food?
According to Vedic (Hindu scripture)
texts, one should offer all food as a sacrifice
to God: "...All that you do, all that you
eat, all that you offer and give away, as well
as all austerities that you may perform, should
be done as an offering unto Me.” (Bhagavad-gita
9.27) The Gita specifies exactly what should be
offered: "If one offers Me with love and
devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water,
I will accept it.” (9.26) There are other
references in the Vedic literature confirming
that fruits, vegetables, grain, nuts and dairy
products are fit for human consumption.
Food plays an important
role in worship, and the food offered to God (prasada)
is thought to bestow considerable religious merit,
purifying body, mind and spirit. Taking prasada
that has been cooked and offered with devotion inclines
the mind towards spirituality. Many Hindus have
an altar at home and offer their food before eating.
Meat, fish, poultry, and
eggs as they are usually considered tamasic (influenced
by ignorance) and are not sanctioned by either
the scriptures or saints. Almost all Hindus avoid
beef out of respect for the cow. In the Mahabharata
- a seminal Hindu epic - one of its central characters,
Bhishma, declares that no sacrifices can be made
without butter. And, thus, cows became essential
to the spiritual life of Hindus. Alcohol, tea
and coffee are said to pollute one’s consciousness,
making the practice of meditation difficult. Mushrooms
are thought to take on the quality of ignorance,
while garlic and onions take on the quality of
rajas (passion).
Is
there a link with vegetarianism?
Most Hindus follow a balanced vegetarian
diet. In the Mahabharata it explains "meat-eating
has a negative influence on existence, causing ignorance
and disease.” It explains, "a healthy
vegetarian diet is sattvic, i.e., under the influence
of goodness, able to increase purity of consciousness
and longevity.”
In
general, will people of this faith eat in a food
outlet that serves food or drink that does not
conform to their beliefs?
Most Hindus do tend to eat in a variety of places;
these may not always conform to their preferred
diet. However, there is a growing trend that Hindus
eat in places which adhere to their religious
beliefs and thus their dietary needs.
When
and why do people of this faith feast and fast?
Over 18 major holidays in the Hindu calendar are
feast days (dates vary according to the lunar
calendar), including Holi, Ramnavamni, Dusshera,
Pongal, Janmashtami, and Diwali. Personal feast
days include the anniversaries of birthdays, marriages,
and deaths.
Fasting is also common,
dependent on a person's social standing (caste),
family, age, gender, and degree of orthodoxy.
Fasting can be complete, eating "purer"
foods, adopting a completely vegetarian diet or
it can be abstaining from favourite foods. Common
fast days include Sundays, the day of the new
moon, the full moon, the 10th and 11th day of
each month, the Feast of Sivaratri, the 9th day
of the month of Cheitra, the 8th day of Sravana,
and days of eclipses, equinoxes, solstices, and
conjunction of the planets. Some Hindus also fast
on the anniversaries of the deaths of their mothers
and fathers. Hindus fast as a way to enhance concentration
during meditation or worship or as purification
for the system. Fasting is sometimes considered
a sacrifice.
Sita Rama das
Principal of the College of Vedic Studies
Bhaktivedanta Manor,
Hilfield Lane,
Aldenham,
Herts'
WD25 8EZ
Tel No: 01923 854270
email: mte@pamho.net
Written
by Sita Rama Das
Sita Rama das is the Principal of the
College of Vedic Studies at Bhaktivedanta Manor
in Hertfordshire. He has been conducting lectures
and seminars on Hindu philosophy and teachings
around the UK for twelve years. He also acts in
the capacity of a Congregational Minister to the
Hindu community in North West London. Sita Rama
das also runs a small Publishing House called
Dharma Publications Ltd, which recently brought
out a comprehensive resource for teachers of RE
called ‘the Heart of Hinduism’.
Note: Some people who
are Hindus may not observe the dietary laws stated
above. Prohibitions and restrictions even within
a particular faith may change between denominations
or branches. Please do not take this as an authoritative
list. This page is meant as a guide only and are
the beliefs of the writer.
The Faithandfood Fact
File bookmarks are the same for each religion.
Compare this religion with the dietary beliefs
of another faith by clicking on the name of the
religion on the toolbar on the left.
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