What is a totally vegetarian religion, denomination, or sect that you KNOW of for a f
Can be historical or modern. Historical pagan sects or god/goddess cult us would be hugely helpful. Please no speculating, if you are going to mention a religion that is not totally vegetarian then please tell me which denomination or sect is vegetarian. Like, saying just "Buddhism" is not really helpful, for example. Please, no telling me Jainism is the only one you know of, since that would be unnecessary as I have already mentioned that I am looking for answers other than Jainism. Also, no need to mention 7Th Day Adventists, as they are NOT totally vegetarian. I know there won't be many answers, but that's okay, I'd rather have accurate answers than numerous. Thanks!
Thanks for all the answers so far!
I understand what several of you mean about being whatever faith you want and being vegetarian, but being vegetarian has a very spiritual dimension for me, it's sort of the bottom line expression of spirituality for me. So, while I accept that in the standard world vegetarianism is a minority, I really want to be able to identify myself religiously only with other vegetarians. I feel like religion is what defines who we are, and I feel incomplete saying, I'm such and such, if some of those who are also such and such don't share my most basic belief. But the only religion I can find that requires vegetarianism, Jainism, has other beliefs that I wouldn't want to associate with, such as being somewhat sexist and not very open to gay people.
As far as Vashnaivism, maybe a non-ISKCON branch, b/c ISKCON has the same issues as I have with Jainism.
I have looked for any other sects or denominations of anything that are veg, & not found any yet.
Well, your Question is rather tricky to answer because you ask not just after the Religion, but also the denomination and sect.
Let me try.
Hinduism, as a Religion, advocates "Vegetarianism" in that it asks why must you kill something to feed yourself when God has given you all the wealth of fruit and vegetable to eat. However, it does not proscribe the eating of meat, which is why a lot of Hindus take this as license to go ahead and eat meat.
However, in the category of Hindus, denominations being Vaishnav and sect being Shree Vaishnav and Gaudiya Vaishnavs; they are totally vegetarian.
In fact, to both these sects, meat is taboo and even the eating of onion and garlic, I think it's what they call "Tamasic food" is banned.
I'm not too sure, because I'm just a beginner in my studies of the Hindus, but, my mentor is a Gaudiya Vaishnav; you know the ISKON guys. [He's, actually, a White American - John Sims, now some unpronounceable Hindu name with the Dasa ending, Lil.]
Actually, both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhists are vegetarians; but, with the layman, it's not strictly observed; because in their earlier culture, like Shinto of Japan, for example, the eating of meat was in vogue, like it was with the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai and Myanmar-ese.
The Buddhist clergy are strict vegetarians while their flock need not be.
While the Digambar and Shwetamber Jains are, by their Religion, required to be strict vegetarians, even to the point that they shall not eat anything that grows in the dark, like a potato or carrot or even honey, many Jains that I know, who are here in USA, eat Mac Burgers and we all know that thats beef!
Again, I'm not an Expert on Buddhism and Jainism, where, also, I'm just an acolyte; but My German Mentors are quite well versed in these things, I can assure you.
So, you see, we cannot expect all the people of the Religions to strictly follow their precepts in the modern world, can we?
There are many religions and denominations that have Vegetarian and even Vegan followers. In a whole I have not heard of a path devoted to JUST Vegetarians and / or Vegans ... not even Jainism has 100% Vegitarian followers.
You can be what ever faith is in your heart and still be a Vegitarian.
What is a totally vegetarian religion, denomination, or sect that you KNOW of for a f
