[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/respect-for-animals-and-the-earth-are-rooted-in-many-eastern-religions-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-veganism-and-spirituality\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/respect-for-animals-and-the-earth-are-rooted-in-many-eastern-religions-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-veganism-and-spirituality\/","headline":"How Is Ayurveda Connected to Veganism?","name":"How Is Ayurveda Connected to Veganism?","description":"Reading Time: 7 minutes BY&nbsp;RUDRI PATEL written for Livekindly.co Although it\u2019s now easy to accept veganism as a mainstream&nbsp;diet&nbsp;and lifestyle, the concept began several centuries ago in the East. Veganism and spirituality have a long, symbiotic history. Respect for animals and the earth are rooted in many Eastern religions, and the modern plant-based diets of today owe their origins to ... <div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/respect-for-animals-and-the-earth-are-rooted-in-many-eastern-religions-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-veganism-and-spirituality\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>","datePublished":"2021-10-26","dateModified":"2021-10-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/author\/natalia\/#Person","name":"Ferd Sual","url":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/author\/natalia\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/987a72bdf7d6b0a2b788feb7e09beb22.png","url":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/987a72bdf7d6b0a2b788feb7e09beb22.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"YouVeda","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/youveda_logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/youveda_logo.png","width":190,"height":51}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_salad-g5527b5d1d_1280.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_salad-g5527b5d1d_1280.jpg","height":480,"width":479},"url":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/respect-for-animals-and-the-earth-are-rooted-in-many-eastern-religions-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-veganism-and-spirituality\/","about":["Ayurveda &amp; You","Doshas","Herbs","Lifestyle","Yoga &amp; Meditation"],"wordCount":1928,"articleBody":"Reading Time:  7 minutesBY&nbsp;RUDRI PATEL written for Livekindly.coAlthough it\u2019s now easy to accept veganism as a mainstream&nbsp;diet&nbsp;and lifestyle, the concept began several centuries ago in the East. Veganism and spirituality have a long, symbiotic history. Respect for animals and the earth are rooted in many Eastern religions, and the modern plant-based diets of today owe their origins to a rich cultural history often left out of the conversation.Do religion and plant-based diets go hand-in-hand?For communities that practice the dharmic religions of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, it was natural to gravitate toward a vegan diet. Adopting the plant-based lifestyle was a practice of religious doctrine and faith. In Jainism, practicing veganism is a modern way to implement nonviolence toward all living beings. Adopting a plant-based lifestyle is related to the tenet that all living beings should be on equal footing and treated with compassion. This same philosophy is seen in Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindus believe in karmic consequences and by purposely inflicting pain on animals the equivalent amount of suffering must be experienced by the party who chooses to harm. In Buddhism, one of the five moral precepts includes abstaining from taking life.&nbsp; &nbsp;According to The Vegan Society, veganism \u201cis a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude\u2014as far as is possible and practicable\u2014all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.\u201dMany Westerners may view veganism as a lifestyle choice or way to lead a healthier life, but for Easterners, it has never been a trend, but one of the ways to honor religion, cultivate spirituality, and live by the principles of ahi\u1e43s\u0101.How veganism promotes nonviolence&nbsp;The concept of ahi\u1e43s\u0101 is attributed to Indian leader, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (also known as Mahatma Gandhi), a lawyer and political ethicist who successfully led India\u2019s revolution for independence from England. The subterfuge underneath his movement resided in&nbsp;ahi\u1e43s\u0101, which he defined as \u201cnonviolence is the basis for the search of Truth.\u201d Gandhi said that ahi\u1e43s\u0101 gave the search for Truth meaning. \u201cTherefore the search shall be futile if not founded on ahi\u1e43s\u0101 as its basis.\u201d&nbsp;For some, the easiest way to practice ahi\u1e43s\u0101&nbsp;is to&nbsp;adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet. It is estimated in the United States, this year, approximately&nbsp;9 billion animals&nbsp;have been killed for human consumption within factory farms alone. By being kind to animals and not consuming them, vegan practitioners are integrating&nbsp;ahi\u1e43s\u0101&nbsp;into their daily lives. Actively engaging in compassion toward animals is an identifiable way to practice ahi\u1e43s\u0101.&nbsp;Divya L. Selvakumar, Ph.D., a registered dietician and the founder of&nbsp;Divine Diets, commented that certain religions have become a natural extension of the principles of ahi\u1e43s\u0101. \u201cHinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism all promote the concept that each and every living creature has a soul and should be respected. All human beings are obligated to show respect, compassion, kindness, and humility to living creatures.\u201dHinduism is often referred to as the oldest religion in the world. The evidence of&nbsp;ahi\u1e43s\u0101&nbsp;is found within the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures. \u201cAhi\u1e43s\u0101 is considered to be among the highest virtues,\u201d said Selvakumar.&nbsp;India gave birth not only to Hinduism, but also to Buddhism. This religion was heavily influenced by Hindu concepts of karma and reincarnation. \u201cAhi\u1e43s\u0101 is heavily promoted, as violence is contrary to the teachings of the Buddha,\u201d Selvakumar told LIVEKINDLY. Ahi\u1e43s\u0101 is also a weapon of the strong, in the quest to overcome suffering and distress.&nbsp;Jainism founder Lord Mahavira took the concept of ahi\u1e43s\u0101 to several different levels. Selvakumar asserted that Mahavira \u201cpreached that nonviolence must be practiced both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Animals must be treated with the greatest amount of compassion, where they should never be neglected, beaten, or bound.\u201dA plant-based lifestyle is a common practice across multiple faiths.&nbsp;How is Ayurveda connected to spirituality and veganism?Central to the Eastern philosophy of ahi\u1e43sa\u2014the practice of nonviolence against living beings\u2014is a philosophical underpinning of veganism. An Ayurvedic diet involves eating or restricting certain foods based on your body type in order to promote wellness and mindfulness. Adopting an Ayurvedic diet, the world\u2019s oldest holistic wellness system, is a practical manifestation of ahi\u1e43s\u0101.Priya Shah, founder of wellness line Koppen Ayurvedics, added that the practice of \u201cnonviolence has led to many Jains adopting vegetarian and vegan diets\u2014by practicing veganism, particularly, they are practicing nonviolence towards a larger body of living beings than they would be, should they practice only vegetarianism or adopt a carnivorous diet.\u201d Some devout Jains avoid eating root vegetables (ie., garlic, onions, carrots) as this is seen as \u201ckilling a higher living being since the root itself is the source of life,\u201d Shah told LIVEKINDLY. Lord Mahavir is quoted as saying \u201call breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away,\u201d said Shah.&nbsp;All three religions recognize each living organism has a soul and should be respected, not killed for food or sport.&nbsp;Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism agree that we are all part of the universe. Dr. Virender Sodhi, one of the first Ayurvedic and naturopathic physicians in the United States and a partner in Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association, said that these religions do not separate humans from animals, trees, bugs, or waterfalls. Rather, these three focus on connection. Dr. Sodhi said, \u201cAhi\u1e43s\u0101 means nonviolence, so when we are using animal products, it is often considered violent. We are severing a connection not just with the animal, but with ourselves. Many vegans see this similarly.\u201d&nbsp;Gut health is a key component of Ayurveda&nbsp;Dr. Sodhi further explained the qualities different types of energy can inhabit: \u201csattvic\u201d&nbsp; energy is pure potential and universal intelligence, \u201crajasic\u201d energy is the factor of movement, and \u201ctamasic\u201d energy is the inertia of stillness (i.e., death is considered tamasic). Sattvic energy aligns with creativity,&nbsp;rajasic energy aligns with sustainability, and tamasic energy is common with destruction. In Ayurveda, animal protein is considered tamasic.Selvakumar expanded on Ayurveda and the digestive system: \u201cThe emphasis on&nbsp;gut health&nbsp;has been a core tenant of Ayurveda for thousands of years, and one defining characteristic is its relationship with nature. Ayurveda teaches that we do not live in a separate state from nature. Instead, we are one with it, integrated to such a degree, that nature provides us what we need when we need it to promote proper health and well-being,\u201d says Selvakumar. The emphasis on eating seasonal fruits, vegetables, and grains is ideal for adopting a vegan diet. At the intersection of Ayurveda, veganism, and diet is a common theme\u2014there is a strong connection between the body and mind, and this connection can be nurtured and maintained through mindful living and eating.How to incorporate Ayurveda lessons into your dietShah suggests that incorporating Ayurvedic practices into daily life is a fundamental way of living in India\u2014it is practiced by everyone, everywhere, from rural villages to bustling urban cities. Here are four ways to incorporate Ayurveda into your diet.1. Understand your body typeIn Ayurveda, there is a focus on the dosha, or body type. There are three body doshas\u2014Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these doshic body types uses metabolic energy in a unique way. If you want to discover your dosha type take the quiz Vata spends energy. Pitta manages it. Kapha stores it. In Ayurveda, it is believed that your body type affects everything about your physical and mental health\u2014from your digestion to your psychology. There are also imbalances for each body type.&nbsp;\u201cA trained Ayurvedic practitioner can determine a person\u2019s dosha with a thorough questionnaire based upon a person\u2019s lifestyle,\u201d Selvakumar told LIVEKINDLY. A person\u2019s diet, sleeping patterns, bowel habits, and stress management levels are considered, as well as examining a person\u2019s eyes, tongue, and nails. Vata dosha is grounded in air and ether and also movement and communication. \u201cPeople are very active, creative and gifted with a natural ability to communicate.\u201d The Pitta dosha is based on fire and water and people tend to be intellectual, brave, ambitious, and gravitate toward anger, rage, and jealousy. In the Kapha dosha, based on water and earth, people are laid back, compassionate, patient, and develop an attachment to others.&nbsp;Understanding which foods best support your dosha will help you understand which plant-based foods can strengthen your optimal wellness. Sweta Vikram, an Ayurveda coach, explained how specific foods can impact health based on a person\u2019s dosha.&nbsp; \u201cDepending on a person\u2019s doshic balance and imbalance, certain foods might be recommended,\u201d Vikram suggested.&nbsp;2. Eat seasonal foodsAyurveda\u2019s teaching of seasonal eating is also known as \u201cRitucharya.\u201d Ritucharya is a \u201cpractice in which what you eat is in sync with nature and thus is believed to be the ultimate form of preventative health\u2014eating cooler and sweeter fruits (melons and strawberries) used in summer recipes to cool down the body, or using earthy and hearty vegetables like squash and zucchini during the winter to warm the body,\u201d Shah told LIVEKINDLY. This emphasis on eating seasonal fruits, vegetables, and grains is often the ideal reason for adopting a vegan diet.&nbsp;3. Cook with indigenous spicesDr. Sodhi has personally witnessed veganism\u2019s popularity. \u201cWhen I first began working in Washington state in 1986, the South Asian population here would complain there were no vegan restaurants in town. Now there are so many restaurants. The demand continues to rise for veganism and vegan options.\u201d He says this has a dual impact. \u201cEven if you don\u2019t know Ayurveda deeply, you will combine flavors in classic South Asian cuisines that mirror the medicinal effects of Ayurvedic treatments.\u201d For instance, \u201cginger, turmeric, coriander, are now common in restaurants and in households, but people did not know these ingredients when I first moved here.&nbsp; He also points to chai as an example\u2013the combination of ginger, black tea, peppercorns, fennel, and cardamom is an Ayurvedic treatment to improve digestion, which, in turn, improves energy. We see this chai in most parts of the world.Try cooking with indigenous spices, such as turmeric and ginger.4. Practice mindfulness in living and eatingThe intersection of Ayurveda, veganism, and diet is a common theme. There is a strong connection between the body and mind, and this connection can be nurtured and maintained through mindful living and eating.&nbsp;\u201cIt is not considered a \u2018self-care routine\u2019 or \u2018wellness practice,\u2019 but rather a time-tested approach to living a balanced life,\u201d Shah told LIVEKINDLY. For example, haldi doodh (known in the West as turmeric lattes or golden milk) is an age-old, time-tested drink used to heal colds and boost immunity.&nbsp;The lessons written in Ayurvedic texts are everyday staples of life for many in India. Shah emphasizes that at its core, \u201cAyurveda points to the importance of diet as playing a large role in maintaining the equilibrium between body, mind, and soul.\u201d&nbsp;Author: RUDRI PATEL"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"How Is Ayurveda Connected to Veganism?","item":"https:\/\/www.youveda.com\/respect-for-animals-and-the-earth-are-rooted-in-many-eastern-religions-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-veganism-and-spirituality\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]