The majority of Hindus are lacto-vegetarian avoiding meat and eggs , although some may eat lamb, chicken or fish. Beef is always avoided because the cow is considered a holy animal, but dairy products are eaten. There is no evidence that any non-human animals believe in God or gods, pray, worship, have any notion of metaphysics, create artifacts with ritual significance, or many other behaviours typical of human significance, or many other behaviours typical of human religion.
Touching the feet of elders is an age-old Indian tradition that is considered to be a mark of respect. This gesture can be seen in almost all Hindu families, both in India and abroad.
The elder person then, in turn, blesses the person touching their feet. Cattle slaughter has also been opposed by various Indian religions because of the ethical principle of Ahinsa non-violence and the belief in the unity of all life.
As per existing meat export policy in India, the export of beef meat of cow, oxen and calf is prohibited. Overall, India consumes the least amount of meat per capita. Hindus who do eat meat, often distinguish all other meat from beef. The respect for cow is part of Hindu belief, and most Hindus avoid meat sourced from cow as cows are treated as a motherly giving animal, considered as another member of the family.
Many Hindus are vegetarian. The non-vegetarian Hindus do not eat beef, but consume pork, chicken, fish, etc. The Bengal tiger has always been very popular and feared in India, and it is the national animal of the country. The royal Bengal tiger is also the national animal of Bangladesh. Hinduism has a tradition called Shaktism that focuses on a supreme goddess, and energy and reality are considered feminine forces. One of these manifestations is Durga , who creates the energy of life while being invincible in battle.
When she goes to war, Durga rides either a lion or a tiger; it represents victory over evil forces. A scene like this can be seen in the picture below.
If you want to read similar articles to Sacred Animals in Hinduism , we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. Share on:. By Josie F. Turner , Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare.
October 27, You may also be interested in: Why are Cows Sacred in India? You might also be interested in Mythological names for dogs Where do peacocks live? What is an elephant's lifespan? The 5 most intelligent animals in the world. Write a comment. Click to attach a photo related to your comment. Food remains are, in fact, considered particularly impure and soiled by touch or saliva for example. In Hinduism, dairy products occupy a privileged place, both a ritual offering and daily food.
Ghee especially, prepared with churned yoghurt, is a food of choice as much for its taste qualities as for its nourishing power. Animal sacrifices were common in antiquity and justified the killing of the animal.
The sacrifice of Jesus will upset this order and replace the old customs. It is updated during the Eucharist, but its interpretation remains complex. What is the interpretation of wine and bread in Christianity?
Catholics and Protestants do not have the same answer. Vegetarianism responds to the principle of non-violence of Hinduism. It is placed at the top of the hierarchy of Hindu food systems and is anchored in the customs of the country. However, its application may vary according to regions and communities. Although a taste for meat seems to be emerging at present, consumption of expensive animal flesh is still relatively low in India. From bbc. Under an amendment to the state's Animal Preservation Act, those found guilty of transporting beef will also be jailed for 10 years.
The cow is considered sacred by India's Hindu majority, and killing cows is illegal in many states. But the new amendment means Gujarat now has the toughest laws on the issue in the country. The ubiquity of cattle in Indian cities often surprises visitors.
Indeed, when we travel to India, we meet cows everywhere! They wander quietly on the road in the middle of cars, buses and tuk-tuks! We sometimes meet them in the small alleys of Madurai or Varanasi. They go from house to house to beg for some leftover meals, knocking on the door with their snouts! If the door is open, some do not hesitate to return directly to their good nurturing souls! You will understand, Indian cows do not only live in the fields! And beware, according to the highway code and civility, they have priority!
Because, as you know, the cow is a sacred animal in India. Cows are sacred and we meet them everywhere around the Gods. First around Krishna, the blue-skinned God.
He grew up among cattle, in Goloka, the Kingdom of the Cows. And he is also known as Govinda, the protector of the cows. In fact, he is often represented with a cow. As for Shiva, he appears on his mount Nandi, a bull. The latter, a symbol of fertility, is worshiped as much as Lord Shiva himself. Both represent consciousness. In the Shaivite temples, Nandi faces the sanctuary and the disciples do not fail to pray in front of him.
But before Hinduism, we can already find the symbol of the sacred cow in India. Also, according to Hindu mythology, the cow and the Brahmin were created on the same day.
The cow nourishes the body, while the Brahmin nourishes the spirit. Killing a cow in India is then as serious a sin as the killing of a Brahmin. The cow is the Universal mother, her milk nourishes all creatures. This maternal quality, a sattvic quality reserved for the cow, is hailed as the highest form of gift. Products made from cow's milk are widely used in Indian cuisine. The thali this famous dish richly composed of several varieties of vegetables, dairy products and others
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