I'm new around here, and I study Eastern philosophy.

[cosmothinker]

I study philosophy professionally. I first became vegetarian after reading the theories of Peter Singer, then, after I got my degree, I started doing a lot of research on Eastern religions, like Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. But the one that has fascinated me for years is Jainism. They take the principle of ahimsa to levels I've never seen anywhere else in the world.

There are two major sects of Jainism, Digambara and Shvetembara. The Shvetembar ascetics wear simple white clothing and a mask over the mouth to prevent accidentally inhaling an insect and killing or injuring it. The Digambars are just as non-violent, and part of their vows involves giving up all possessions, including all clothing. They carry one item with them, which is a broom made from fallen peacock feathers. They use it to brush insects from their paths to avoid treading on them. Most Jains are vegan, certainly the ascetics are. They typically eat a single meal a day. The Digambars eat this from their bare hands, since they have taken vows of non-possession. Whereas some people in that part of the world eat their food on banana leaves, Jains would shun this because it causes injury to banana trees. Many Jains will only eat fallen fruit in an effort to avoid injuring plants. There's hardly a more peaceful creed on earth. Fascinating people. I'd love to discuss it more if anyone else is interested.

Troy

[charles72vegan (deleted)]

cosmothinker wrote: I study philosophy professionally. I first became vegetarian after reading the theories of Peter Singer, then, after I got my degree, I started doing a lot of research on Eastern religions, like Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. But the one that has fascinated me for years is Jainism. They take the principle of ahimsa to levels I've never seen anywhere else in the world.

There are two major sects of Jainism, Digambara and Shvetembara. The Shvetembar ascetics wear simple white clothing and a mask over the mouth to prevent accidentally inhaling an insect and killing or injuring it. The Digambars are just as non-violent, and part of their vows involves giving up all possessions, including all clothing. They carry one item with them, which is a broom made from fallen peacock feathers. They use it to brush insects from their paths to avoid treading on them. Most Jains are vegan, certainly the ascetics are. They typically eat a single meal a day. The Digambars eat this from their bare hands, since they have taken vows of non-possession. Whereas some people in that part of the world eat their food on banana leaves, Jains would shun this because it causes injury to banana trees. Many Jains will only eat fallen fruit in an effort to avoid injuring plants. There's hardly a more peaceful creed on earth. Fascinating people. I'd love to discuss it more if anyone else is interested.

Troy



Wow! I don't particularly care for religion at all and have no intention of ever becoming religious but that really sounds interesting and beautiful.