The principles of spirituality have remained the same through the ages. Modern science is now only coming to the conclusions that the sages and mystics have realized since time immemorial. Even in the field of nutrition, modern research is confirming the supremacy of the diet followed by people leading a spiritual life – a vegetarian diet. Vegetarian food is most suitable for humans from all points of view, spiritual, moral and physical. And a strict vegetarian diet is necessary for those who wish to follow the path that leads to self-knowledge and God-realization.
If we examine various religious and mystical traditions, we find that they recommend or require vegetarianism. Such a diet is associated with the oldest religious traditions. Thus, Pythagoras and his followers were strict vegetarians. The Greek sage taught: “My friends, do not defile your body by consuming impure foods. We have enough grain and trees that are laden with fruits. We have delicious vegetables and roots that can be easily cooked. And there is no dearth. of milk and honey. Our earth has abundance of such pure and harmless food items and we have no need to eat food for which blood has to be shed and innocent lives have to be sacrificed.
Many famous early philosophers such as Plato, Plotinus, Empedocles, Apollonius, Plutarch and Porphyry also followed a vegetarian diet. Again, many early mystery religions, such as the Orphics and the Essenes, had vegetarianism as a condition for initiation. If we study the Holy Bible carefully, we find that God intended man to be a vegetarian. In Genesis, God says, “I have given you the seed of every herb that is on the face of the whole earth, and every tree in which a tree bears fruit; it shall be flesh for you” (Genesis 1). :29). Even when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, vegetarianism was necessarily included. If we obey the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), then naturally the question of eating meat, fish, birds, or eggs does not arise. How can we claim to be lovers of God, lovers of His creation, if we kill the humble members of God’s family?
Jesus Christ was a messenger of peace; He was the embodiment of non-violence. He taught, “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). If he was non-violent to that extent, could he be violent at the lowest level of God’s creation? Jesus Christ taught universal love and absolute non-violence. He told us not to engage in any killing, and he commanded that we have love for all.
The great Sufi saints of the past were vegetarians. Thus, Mirdad declared, “Those who follow the spiritual path should never forget that if they eat flesh, they must pay for it with their flesh.” The compassionate Buddha taught non-violence towards all beings and his followers were originally vegetarian. Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, preached a strict vegetarian diet. And, of course, vegetarianism is an integral part of the Hindu religious tradition. No meat is served in the free kitchens in Sikh gurdwaras (temples), and when Sikhs perform religious ceremonies in their homes, vegetarian food is served after the recitation of scriptures. A Mughal historian significantly recorded in his book Dabistan-i-Mazahib (Dharamshala) that Guru Arjan Dev made a special proclamation: “Meat-eating is forbidden among the followers of Guru Nanak.”
The instructions to the disciples given by the sixth Sikh Guru Har Gobind are quite clear: “Do not go near fish and meat.” (These instructions sent in a circular called “Hukamnama” are preserved in the Patna Sahib Gurdwara.)
If you do a comparative study of religious traditions, you will find that after a saint or guru finishes his service, the esoteric side of his teachings is rapidly forgotten and replaced by rites and rituals. To make the teachings more acceptable to a larger number of people, changes in diet and discipline are made by those who come after them. But the Gnostic tradition is clear in advocating vegetarianism.
Source by H. H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
