Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
References: <2sjb4r$f19@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
In article <2sjb4r$f19@ucunix.san.uc.edu>, * subbu sivaramakrishnan * <SXS144@PSUVM.PSU.EDU> writes:
|>
|> I've asked many people this question, but not got a clear
|> answer : Does Hinduism require that one believe in God ?
|> It appears to me not, because Hinduism as I see it, is more
|> of a way of life than a religion. In my opinion, as long as
|> one can detach oneself from the material aspects of life,
|> always think and do good without expecting anything in
|> return, one has lived the life of a Hindu.
|>
|> Another question I would like to know the answer to is :
|> Does Hinduism require one to be a vegetarian ?
|>
|> Any responses to the above questions will be appreciated.
|>
|>
|> subbu sivaramakrishnan
what you say about believing in God is true. the question about
vegetarianism is more tricky.
i would say that vegetarianism is a requirement for strict hinduism, but it
is not one of the "major" requirements - if that makes any sense. The 2
vows that a monk takes are chastity and poverty - vegetarianism is
recommended but not absolutely required - this is the answer i received
when i asked the same question to a Swami (this Swami, by the way, belongs
to a monastery that practices vegetarianism except on Thanksgiving and
Christmas)
Swami Vivekananda ate meat when he was a guest in American homes because he
didn't want to disrupt his hosts' hospitality. He defended himself by
stating that he still followed the 2 "absolute" monastic vows (chastity and
poverty).
so, in a nutshell, it is better to follow vegetarianism, and if you have a
choice, you should. Vegetarianism is "higher" than non-vegetarianism but is
not an "absolute" requirement.
- this is just my understanding - further discussion is welcome...
